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From: Jean DE
BASTIANI, jean.debastiani@teledisnet.be
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday,
January 09, 2008 6:26 AM
Subject: request
Dear Sir,
Last year, I adopted the
grave of a hero : 2d lieutenant Gerald F DUFFY /
526ST BS - 379TH BG . I know nothing about the
story of this Hero. Could you to tell me more
about him , his crew , his last mission and the
serial number of the plane; it would be very
kind of you to send me by E-Mail a photo of the
crew or a photo of himself !
Thank you
very much indeed.
Jean DE BASTIANI
Jean –
Thank you very
much for your interest, and
your care for the resting
place of one of our 379th
Veterans.
Association
records for Gerald J Duffy
show he flew 15 missions as
co-pilot and pilot with the
526th Squadron from September
25 to November 8, 1944. Our
records show missions 208,
209, 213, 216, 219, 220, 221,
223, 224, 226, 227, 228, and
234. Lt Duffy may have flown
additional missions, but
these are the ones we have in
our records.
On
November 8, 1944, Lt Duffy
was in command of a/c
42-31663, “Tagalong” on a
mission to bomb the synthetic
oil plant at Merseburg,
Germany. The airplane lost
multiple engines over the
target, the crew was ordered
to bail out, and the pilot
crash landed the airplane.
Crew was as follows:
Duffy, Gerald J, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA
Foster, Kenneth E, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, POW
Cheney, James T, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator, POW
Flisnick, Joseph W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, POW
Herbison, Charles R, Staff
Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, POW
Lehmann, Richard E, Tech
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, POW
Machulsky,
William V, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner, Escaped
and Evaded
Kennedy Jr.,
James D, Staff Sergeant,
Waist Gunner, POW
Griffin,
Douglas L, Staff Sergeant,
Tail Gunner, POW
By
the account of the Ball
Turret gunner, Sgt Machulsky,
the airplane crash-landed on
the bank of the Maus River
near Wellerooi, 20km north of
Venlo. At least one report
states that Lt Duffy survived
the crash landing, and was
taken prisoner. Association
records do not contain any
further information to
explain the circumstances by
which he is listed as KIA.
This response will be
posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in
case any members or readers
have any additional
information. A photo of
“Tagalong” is being sent by
separate e-mail, however the
identities of the crew
members pictured is not
known.
Responding 4
1/9/2008
Kent
Search No. 1399 - Franklin L Betz
Jr.
From: Jeffrey Betz <jbetz@lockport.wnyric.org>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2007 8:53 AM
Subject: WWII Personnel
Sir:
I am researching relatives who served during
World War II as a part of my class when I teach
about World War II. I am desperately seeking
information on Franklin L. Betz who served with
the 379th Bomb Group, but is deceased.
I am hoping to find our his rank, assignments,
and aircraft crew position (if applicable)
Please send me what you have as soon as you can.
Thanks for all your help.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Betz
Jeff -
Association records for Franklin L
Betz, Jr show he flew 35 missions as navigator
with the 524th Squadron from March 8 to June 20,
1944. Our records show missions 79, 82, 84, 87,
88, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101,
102, 104, 106, 110, 111, 112, 114, 115, 122,
124, 126, 129, 130, 132, 134, 136, 137, 145,
147, and 148. Lt Betz may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we have in our
records.
This response will be posted in
the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case
any members or readers have any additional
information.
Responding 4 12/1/2007
Kent
Search No. 1398 - Richard R Giersch
From: Siverling,
Annette M, annette.m.siverling@delphi.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday,
November 28, 2007 12:08 PM
Subject: Richard
R. Giersch
My Uncle Richard died in a
mission on December 30, 1943 in route to or from
Ludwigshafen, Germany. He was the top turret
gunner. He was a member of the 379th Bomb Group
(H), 527 Bomb Squadron. His serial ID was
15329583. Their plane crash landed in France
near Paris in a town called Oise, France. He was
based out of Kimbolton, England. He may have
only flown in two missions. I am interested in
any info - plane photos, crew photos or mission
information you can obtain for me. Thank you.
Annette Siverling
Annette –
Association records for Richard R Giersch show
he flew 3 missions as gunner with the 526th
Squadron from December 20 to December 30, 1943.
Our records show missions 50, 52, and 53. Sgt
Giersch may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we have in our records.
On December 30, 1943, Sgt Giersch was flying
in a/c 42-29963, “Judy” on the raid against the
chemical works at Ludwigshafen, Germany. This
aircraft was last seen east of St. Hillaire,
France. Crew, and their disposition, was as
follows:
Camp jr, Glenn E, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot, POW
Fitzgerald, Joseph F,
Flight Officer, Co-Pilot, KIA
Cooper, Jarvis
W, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, POW
Donaldson,
Edward J, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, Evaded
Mills, jr, Milton J, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Evaded
Giersch, Richard R,
Staff Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, KIA
Pierce, Marcus G, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner,
KIA
Farr, Douglas J, Sergeant, Right Waist
Gunner, Evaded
Parker, Neelan B, Sergeant,
Left Waist Gunner, Evaded
Cross, Robert E,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, KIA
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information.
Responding 4 12/1/2007
Kent
Search No. 1397 - William C Stickler
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From: Mike Nelson,
Bompa123@aol.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2007 11:23 AM
Subject: Lt Col William C. Stickler
Because I am a retired USAF pilot, a distant
nephew asked me if I could help him and his
family find more information about his
grandfather. Here is the info he gave me: Lt Col
William C. Stickler (he made a career of the
USAF after WWII), Eighth Air Force, 1st
Division, 41st Wing, 379th Bombardment Group,
524th Squadron, Kimbolten, England, Station 117.
First mission, 16 Aug 44, last mission of 36
flown, 14 Feb 45. He was a pilot with id number
0-555304.
I am Mike Nelson, USAF
1959-1994. Many thanks for any help you might be
able to give. Mike
Mike –
Association
records for William C Stickler show he flew 35
missions as pilot with the 524th Squadron from
August 18, 1944 to February 14, 1945. Our
records show missions 191, 192, 194, 195, 208,
211, 215, 219, 221, 222, 226, 227, 229, 230,
231, 232, 236, 241, 244, 246, 249, 250, 253,
255, 258, 259, 260, 263, 265, 267, 268, 272,
274, 275, and 278. Lt Stickler may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On February 3, 1945,
Lt Stickler was flying a/c 44-6915 in the Lead
position on the raid against marshalling yards
at Berlin, Germany. Crew, and what seems to be
Lt Stickler’s “regular” crew, was as follows:
Stickler, William C, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot
Hess, George N, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Cook, Carl L, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Clarkson, Russell F, Staff Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier
Havet, Hugo W, Tech Sergeant,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Pidrak, John J, Staff
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Wacasey,
A V, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Grice
Jr., Keely A, Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Hampel, George M, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking
4" section of our website, in case any members
or readers have any additional information.
Responding 4 11/29/2007
Kent
Search No. 1396 - Byron Green
From: Jeff and Lisa
Ringelman, ringelman@comcast.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, November
19, 2007 12:18 PM
Subject: Information about
Byron A. Green
My uncle, Byron Green,
served with the 379'th. I have been able to
determine that his last mission was on Jan. 5,
1944 (#56). On that day, B-17 42-5827 "Lakanuki"
was damaged and forced to land in Sweden. I
would like to know what other missions my uncle
flew on, and if any of the crew on mission #56
are on the current association roster. I have
also attached a photo of my uncle.
Thanks
for your help.
Jeff Ringelman
Jeff –
Thank you for the photo of Sgt Green.
We will add this to our archives. Any photos of
aircraft or personnel help with future inquiries
such as yours.
Association records for
Byron Green show he flew 31 missions as turret
gunner with the 526th Squadron from October 20,
1943 to February 16, 1945. Our records show
missions 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49, 51, 53,
56, 226, 227, 229, 235, 236, 239, 240, 241, 242,
244, 262, 265, 266, 268, 269, 271, 272, 274,
276, and 280. Sgt Green may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On January 5, 1944,
Sgt Green was part of the crew of a/c 42-5827,
“Lakanuki” on the raid against the port
facilities at Kiel, Germany. This aircraft was
damaged, and forced to land in Sweden. Crew, and
their disposition, was as follows:
Grissom, Allen E, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot,
Returned
Phillips, John , 2nd Lieutenant,
Co-Pilot, Returned
Beach, John T, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator, Returned
Eklund,
Holger A, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, Returned
Havet, Hugo W, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Returned
Prochaszka, James
O, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, Returned
Green, Byron A, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner, Returned
Sowers, Delmar A, Staff
Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, Returned
Kelley, Bailey E, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner, Returned
Hall, Robert D, Staff
Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Returned
Sorry,
none of these crewmembers are on our current
membership roster.
Since this information
seems to conflict with your research that
suggests Sgt Green’s last mission was January 5,
1944, and our records show additional missions
after about 10 months, it appears that there was
a period of internment in Sweden, followed by a
return to flying status. We would be interested
in whether this may reconcile with what
information you have.
This response will
be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information.
Responding 4
11/29/2007
Kent
Search No. 1395 - Warren Painter
From: Bonnie
Judge, bjudge@ci.homer.ak.us
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Thursday,
November 15, 2007 4:35 PM
Subject: Crew
members who flew with my father warren painter
To whom it may concern;
My father
warren painter was stationed in Kimbolton
England. He joined up 11-2-42 and got out
10-1945. He was with the 379th unit bombardment
army corp. He was a top turret gunner-engineer
on a b 17 named the "tag along". He is still
alive and very together. I am trying to help him
locate old crew members that knew him or flew
with him on the b 17 when he was stationed in
Kimbolton England.
Many thanks-any help
will be appreciated.
Bonnie judge
Bonnie –
Association records for Warren Painter show he
flew 35 missions as engineer/top turret gunner
with the 524th Squadron from April 13 to June
20, 1944. Our records show missions 96, 97, 98,
99, 100, 101, 105, 106, 108, 111, 112, 115, 116,
119, 120, 123, 124, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132,
134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143,
144, 145, 147, and 148. Sgt Painter may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we have in our records.
As you
indicate, Sgt Painter flew most of his missions
in a/c 42-31663, “Tagalong”. Crew was also very
stable (same personnel on most missions) and was
as follows:
Berwind Jr., John S, 1st
Lieutenant, Pilot
Berg, Norman W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Goldsberry, Francis M,
2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Radiloff, Alvin
(NMI), Flight Officer, Bombardier
Vondrashek,
Willard J, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Painter, Warren W, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Taylor, Chester (NMI), Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Kowalewski, Leo
J, Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Sheets,
Robert G, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Chester Taylor is on our current membership
roster. This response will be posted in the
"Looking 4" section of our website, in case any
members or readers have any additional
information. Photos of “Tagalong” will be sent
via separate e-mail – if you are able to
identify any crewmembers in these photos, we
would be grateful.
Responding 4
11/15/2007
Kent
Search No. 1394 - Adrial 'Wayne' Langendoerfer
From: Chief John
Sheible, janem@fidnet.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday,
November 06, 2007 10:33 AM
Subject: Info on
TSgt. Adrial "Wayne" Langendoerfer
I am
looking for any info you can supply on my uncle
TSgt. Wayne Langendoerfer. He was killed in
action April 11, 1944. The info I have is that
two B17's crashed together on takeoff. Both
crews were killed.
John Sheible
John –
Association
records for Adrial Langendoerfer show he flew 11
missions as radio operator/gunner with the 525th
Squadron from March 16 to April 11, 1944. Our
records show missions 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87,
90, 91, 93, 94, and 95. Sgt Langendoerfer may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
On April
11, 1944, the 379th was dispatched against an
aircraft assembly plant at Sorau, Germany.
Aircraft 42-31083, “Tenny Belle” (photo
attached), exploded in mid-air near Downham
Market, England. The only survivor was Lt
William Evans, who had his parachute on and was
wounded. Crew was as follows:
Daly Jr.,
John E, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA
Koerber,
Robert W, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, KIA
Evans, William F, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, WIA
Christensen, Carl B, Staff Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier, KIA
Langendoerfer, Adriel W,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA
Young, Omer L, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner, KIA
Tuber, Harvey W, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, KIA
Maccallum,
John (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner,
KIA
Hearne, Frank J, Staff Sergeant, Left
Waist Gunner, KIA
Polizzo, Howard J, Staff
Sergeant, Tail Gunner, KIA
This response
will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information.
Responding 4
11/13/2007
Kent
Search No. 1393 - Howard Dempsey
From: WILLIAM
GAGLIARDI, gagssax@verizon.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, November
02, 2007 6:16 AM
Subject: Re: 379th. B.G.
info. thank you
My wife's father, Howard
Dempsey flew 33 missions out of Kimbolton
England and was shot down over France, 8/7/44
but made it home. I been trying to find more
info. we found a Distinguished Flying Cross and
other decorations but know little of what they
were awarded for. Thank you for the reply, we
would appreciate, if there exists any, info. He
was a great man, father and friend.
William
Gagliardi
William –
Association records for Howard
Dempsey show he flew 32 missions as radio
operator/gunner with the 526th Squadron from
June 6 to August 8, 1944. Our records show
missions 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144,
145, 146, 150, 152, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158,
161, 162, 163, 165, 169, 171, 172, 173, 175,
176, 177, 178, 179, 181, and 185. Sgt Dempsey
may have flown additional missions, but these
are the ones we have in our records.
Sgt
Dempsey flew the overwhelming majority of his
missions in one airplane (which was quite
unusual), a/c 42-97933, “Gilded Orion”. His
“regular” crew was as follows:
Greenough,
Charles J, Lieutenant, Pilot
Richards,
Wallace A, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Melling, Dale
E, Lieutenant, Navigator
Holden, Harold R,
Flight Officer, Bombardier
Dempsey, Howard L,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Reed, Roy C,
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Rixon,
Joe H, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Danforth,
Charles W, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Roberts,
Thomas W, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This
response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Sorry,
we have no photograph of “Gilded Orion”, and
have no information on circumstances surrounding
decorations awarded.
Responding 4
11/13/2007
Kent
Search No. 1392 - James A Rainwater
From: Doug L. Rainwater,
dlrainwater@mindspring.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday,
October 31, 2007 7:27 PM
Subject:
Grandfathers Missions?
I see mention of
my Grandfather on thread 1327. I would like to
get a list of all of my grandfathers missions,
his crew, and any info which is available for
him. Although he did not ever discuss his days
in combat with his wife or children, he did
discuss it with me, his favorite grandson. We
always were very close.
He is
Rainwater,James A. He told me his first mission
was on D Day. He flew his required 35 missions
and volunteered for three more as his brother
was serving in infantry in Battle of the Bulge.
I understand he had 3+ planes classed beyond
feasible repair as well as at least one belly
landing. One of his crew men was wounded by flak
during a mission. They gave the wounded man a
morphine shot, who then curled up into the fetal
position, and later died on the flight back. I
wonder what the name of this man was. He said he
flew several different planes, but did remember
the name of one, "Rebel Rouser". On thread 1327
you stated that he flew. "Miss Liberty". Also,
he said that he did not have the same crew on
each mission.
One interesting fact he
told me was that the men were very
superstitious. In his barracks were four bunks,
and every time one of his bunkmates was killed,
the remaining men would switch to a new bed. He
said for no other reason than superstition.
During his stay in Kimbolton, due to the loss of
his roommates, he said he ended up in the same
bunk he started in. He said he lived a charmed
life.
I have a number of photos of he
and is crew, as well as combat photos with flak,
and burning German airfield, etc. I would be
honored to add these to the 379th site. Most of
these are of the 379, Triangle K planes.
Perhaps the gentleman referenced in thread
1327 was on the same original crew as my
grandfather. I have the original crew photo, of
the full crew standing in front of their B-17. I
would be glad to send a copy to him.
Please email me if there is any way to find this
info out. I would be glad to join, and would
like to purchase the mission reports of my
beloved Grandfathers Missions.
I am
consider myself a lucky man, as I got to know my
greatest Hero personally.
Thank You for
your efforts.
Douglas L. Rainwater
Douglas –
Association records for James A
Rainwater show he flew 35 missions as co-pilot
with the 524th Squadron from June 28 to December
27, 1944. Records show Missions 156, 157, 158,
159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 168, 169, 170, 204,
210, 211, 213, 214, 216, 218, 221, 224, 225,
226, 227, 229, 232, 238, 239, 240, 241, 244,
246, 248, 249, 252, and 253. Lt Rainwater may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we have in our records.
We have
no record of missions flown prior to June 28,
but our records are not perfect. Also, we see no
missions flown on “Rubble Rouser”, likely the
aircraft he meant when referring to “Rebel
Rouser”. His first mission on an aircraft with a
name was the July 18 mission you reference when
he was aboard a/c 43-37570, “Miss Liberty”. (A
copy of a better, recently aquired photo is
attached.) Our records show Lt Rainwater had a
“regular” crew through the July 20 mission – we
also note there is a significant gap between
that mission and his next (according to our
records) on September 13, following which the
crew complement changed regularly as you
indicate was described to you. We’re not sure
what may have happened to result in that
missions gap, but it appears that his crew had
other missions in that period, indicating that
Lt Rainwater may have been off of flying status
for whatever reason. On his return, it appears
he flew with whatever crew needed a 2nd pilot.
We also have no record of a crew death on one of
your grandfather’s missions.
Lt
Rainwater’s “regular” crew, for his early
missions, was as follows:
Mcclain Jr.,
Harold E, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Rainwater,
James A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Balfe,
Eugene J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Chapman,
Edward R, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Annunziato, Alphonse A, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Buck, Dean N, Staff Sergeant,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Posielenzny,
Raymond J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Halley, Raymond A, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Hasselfield, Marvin P, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
This response will be posted in the "Looking
4" section of our website, in case any members
or readers have any additional information. We
would be interested in any photos of your
grandfather's you would be willing to share -
they may well help a future inquiry such as
yours.
Responding 4 11/6/2007
Kent
Search No. 1391 - Aircraft 44-8136
From: francis, francismichelet@tele2.fr
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, October
30, 2007 8:24 AM
Subject: informations above
the 44 8136
Good morning.
After
some research I identify a B17 fallen near
Servon-Melzicourt (Nord east of FRANCE) the 14
October 1944
This B17 is the number 44 8136
with an X under the triangle K on the tail.
This aircraft was dismantled on place it the
spring 1945.
Can you help me to identify the
crew?
Have you other pieces of information
above the story of this aircraft.
Thanks
for your help.
Francis -
Association records for aircraft
44-8136 indicate that is was dispatched on the
October 14, 1944 mission to the marshalling
yards at Saarbrucken, Germany, and suffered from
the loss of multiple engines after the bomb run.
It was last seen descending, under control,
towards Allied controlled territory. Crew
complement for this mission was as follows:
Gibson, Lester A, Captain, Pilot
Copeland, Phillips J, 1st Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Dunn, Melvin E, 1st Lieutenant, Navigator
Gareri, Dan J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator-GEE
Shields, John T, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator-PFF
Bartlett, Ivan E, 1st Lieutenant, Bombardier
Van buren, John C, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Doyle, Wayne T, Tech
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Taylor,
Robert L, Tech Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Eichele, William S, Tech Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Adair, Orin W, 2nd Lieutenant, Tail Gunner
Phillips Copeland is on our current
membership roster. I will forward your message
to him in case he is interested in contacting
you and providing further details. This response
will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our
website, in case any members or readers have any
additional information.
Responding 4
11/1/2007
Kent
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