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From: Williams, Grant
B., GrBWilli@GAPAC.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, March
24, 2008 2:34 PM
Subject: More of the Story -
LT Harold Bailey
Dear sir:
While
looking for information about a late neighbor,
LT Colburn Ackley, Bombardier, 526th BS, I ran
across the story of Harold Bailey (Search no.
1337) who bailed out of 42-5827 on 16 Aug 43
mission to Le Bourget.
When I was a kid,
Colb used to tell me about some of the missions
he had flown. This was one of his stories. He
told me their aircraft had been hit by flak
during/after the bomb run. Two engines were on
fire and the intercom was out (at least to the
nose). The plane was in an extremely steep dive
and seemed out of control. Both Colb and LT
Bailey, the navigator, thought the plane was
going down. Since they couldn’t raise anyone on
the intercom, they assumed the rest of the crew
had bailed out. Afraid that the plane would blow
up or go into a spin, LT Bailey went out the
hatch in the nose.
Colb was ready to
follow him, when he thought he better make sure
the pilots got out, too. He went through the
crawl space and found both pilots calmly
watching the fires in the engines and the
instruments. One said to the other, “I think
another couple thousand feet should do it, don’t
you?” Having exhausted the fire extinguishers,
they were diving the plane to blow out the fires
in the engines. They succeeded and brought
“Lakanukie” home – minus one navigator.
Colb’s 27th and final mission on 24 Dec 43 was
in “Lakanukie”.
By the way, Colb would
never tell me the name of his aircraft. Are
there any photos of 42-5827 “Lakanukie?” Does
anyone have any information about Colb’s tour
with the 379th? He passed away in the mid-1970s
in his home town of Vancouver, Washington. I
will always treasure the stories he told me.
Thank you,
Grant Williams
Grant –
Association
records for Colburn Ackley
show he flew 25 missions as
bombardier with the 526th
Squadron from June 11 to
December 24, 1943. Our
records show missions 2, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14,
15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 24, 26,
35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 46, 51,
and 52. Lt Ackley may have
flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Sorry, we have no known photo
of Lt Ackley or “Lakanuki”
other than a crew photo in
Shades of Kimbolton,
available through the PX. Lt
Ackley’s crew on the 16
August 1943 mission was as
follows:
Satariano,
Sam P, Lieutenant, Pilot
White, Frederick F,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Bailey, Harold B, Lieutenant,
Navigator
Ackley, Colburn
E, Lieutenant, Bombardier
Perry, Donald D, Tech
Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Kline,
Louis D, Tech Sergeant, Top
Turret Gunner
Bouffard,
Robert A, Tech Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Tibbetts,
Elsworth N, Staff Sergeant,
Right Waist Gunner
Buchanan, Beaufort A, Tech
Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner
Glynn, William A, 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. The
pilot, Sam Satariano, is
still active with the
Association, and regularly
attends reunions.
Responding 4 4/14/2008
Kent
Search No. 1409 - Lester O.
Thompson, Jr.
From: Carroll Emberton,
carroll4954@sbcglobal.net
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 10:17 AM
Subject: S/Sgt Lester O. Thompson, Jr.
Has anyone identified
S/Sgt. Thompson in a photo. He passed away at
the age of 85 last week. He flew 33 missions
with the 379th as a ball turret gunner. His
children have no pictures of him during WW II. I
am his brother-in-law and will appreciate any
info you may have on his WW II service. He flew
missions on D-Day and before and after.
Thanks,
Carroll Emberton
Carroll –
Association records for Lester O
Thompson Jr. show he flew 34 missions as gunner
with the 524th Squadron from April 13 to July
20, 1944. Our records show missions 96, 98, 99,
100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 115, 116,
117, 122, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 134,
136, 137, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148, 153,
160, 161, 164, 165, 167, and 170. Sgt Thompson
may have flown additional missions, but these
are the ones we have in our records.
Sorry, we have no known photo of Sgt Thompson or
his crew. Sgt Thomson’s “regular” crew was as
follows:
Lavery, Richard J, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot
Spratt, Warren E, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Strate, Harry E, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator
Walsh, Robert R, 1st
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Hawerlander, Theodore
S, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Millard, Alymer G, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Thompson Jr., Lester O,
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Kaminski, Joseph
R, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner
Thorpe,
Thomas G, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner
Black,
George 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.
Responding 4 4/14/2008
Kent
Search No. 1408 - George E Cannon
From: "George Cannon"
<dr.ed.cannon@gmail.com>
To:
<looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Sunday, March
02, 2008 12:19 PM
Subject: Information on
George E. Cannon, B-17 Navigator
I am
seeking information on the wartime service of my
father, George E. Cannon, who was a navigator in
the 379th Bombardment Group, flying 35 combat
missions from 7-29-44 to 11-21-44. I do not know
his squadron, but his aircraft was the Miss
Behavin', and his pilot was Conrad Anderson. His
grandson, GEC III, is an F-15E pilot, currently
stationed at RAF Lakenheath, which is near
Kimbolton. He is very interested in his
grandfather's experiences while in England and
would like to visit the location of the
airfield, if it still exists, any memorials in
the area, and any other sites of importance to
379th BG (H) history. Any information that could
help identify appropriate sites to visit and
their significance would be greatly appreciated.
George E. Cannon, Jr.
Col. USAF (Ret.)
George -
Association records for George E Cannon show he
flew 35 missions as navigator with the 524th
Squadron from July 29 to November 21, 1944. Our
records show missions 176, 177, 178, 179, 184,
185, 186, 188, 189, 195, 196, 197, 199, 200,
203, 204, 207, 211, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217,
225, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236,
238, 239, and 240. Lt Cannon may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Lt Cannon flew his
missions, as did most bomber crewmen, in a
number of different aircraft. The most common
was a/c 42-97967, "The Hun Runner", on which he
flew 16 of his 35 missions. Ironically, we have
no record of any mission flown in a/c 44-6143,
"Miss Behavin". As your message indicates, we
show Lt Cannon's "regular" crew was as follows:
Baron, Howard O, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Anderson, Conrad T, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Cannon, George E, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Victor, Walter J, 1st Lieutenant, Bombardier
Cole, Frederick G, Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Breissinger, Robert D,
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Green,
Arthur F, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Layland, Ralph D, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Malone, Robert E, 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. A photo
of "The Hun Runner" is being sent under separate
cover. As far as visiting Kimbolton, there is a
memorial at the entrance to an industrial park
situated in what was part of the administrative
area of the base. The runways are gone, but the
public road leading to the industrial site uses
part of the old perimeter track, and a cart
racing club uses a pair of the remaining hard
stands. A couple of buildings also remain. The
church in town also maintains a small memorial
to the 379th.
Responding 4 3/5/2008
Kent
Search No. 1407 - Richard H. Howland
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From: Mike Howland,
MRHowland@aol.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 2:00 PM
Subject: Looking For Richard H. Howland
Hello, my father, Richard Henry Howland, served
in 527th Sqd, 379th Bomb GP in late 1944 through
spring 1945. I'd like to identify the plane/crew
he flew with and dates and mission flown if
possible. Do you have any records of his
service?
Mike Howland
Mike –
Association
records for Richard Henry Howland show he flew
33 missions as radio operator/gunner with the
527th Squadron from January 22 to April 14,
1945. Our records show missions 270, 271, 273,
274, 275, 278, 279, 280, 282, 283, 284, 286,
287, 288, 290, 291, 295, 296, 297, 298, 300,
304, 305, 307, 308, 311, 313, 317, 318, 319,
322, 323, and 324. Sgt Howland may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Sgt Howland flew his
missions, as did most bomber crewmen, in a
number of different aircraft. His first combat
mission, flown on January 22, 1945 against the
synthetic oil plant at Sterkrade, Germany, was
flown aboard aircraft 43-38679, “Miss Liberty”
(photo sent under separate cover). What looks to
be his “regular” crew was as follows:
Cartwright, Robert B, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Casadaban, Cyprian , 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Rougas, Thomas H, Flight Officer, Navigator
Schultz, Sidney M, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Howland, Richard H, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Yeakos, Christ , Staff
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Green,
Theodore R, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Lopp, Clifford J, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Baumgardner, Dewey E, 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 3/5/2008
Kent
Search No. 1406 - Warren S Hayes
From: MICHAEL C
DUSEK, dusek49@msn.com
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday,
February 16, 2008 8:42 AM
Subject: Warren S.
Hayes
My late father-in-law, Warren S.
Hayes, gave me a diary of his time in Kimbolton
and I am trying to gain more info on him, his
crew, his plane. He arrived 2/5/1945, assigned
to 379 BG, 526th Bomb Sq. Flew first mission
2/25/45 over Ulm as waist gunner, and last
mission, his 18th, 4/25/45, as a bombadier. He
told me his plane was called, "Virgin on the
Verge," but I have not been able to find that
listed on internet sites. His diary mentions
"ship 874" and "ship 229" and a pix shows a
plane with number on tail of 765. Some of his
crew members included Doug Otto, Bob Snyder,
William "Mac" McKinley, Russell Pratt. Any help,
pictures, or sites you can point me to would be
greatly appreciated. His widow, LaVerne,
forwards the "Contrails" to me and I do enjoy
reading them. Thank you.
Mike Dusek
Mike –
Association records for Warren S Hayes
show he flew 15 missions as gunner with the
526th Squadron from February 25 to April 25,
1945. Our records show missions 287, 289, 290,
291, 302, 305, 308, 313, 315, 317, 318, 323,
324, 325, and 330. Sgt Hayes may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
Sgt Hayes flew his
missions, as did most bomber crewmen, in a
number of different aircraft. The diary entries
for ships “874” and “229” correspond to a/c
43-38874, “Pipe Dream” (no photo available), his
aircraft on Mission 323, and a/c 43-39229
(unnamed), his aircraft for his next mission,
Mission 324. I find no record of a mission flown
in an aircraft containing “765”. Sgt Hayes’
aircraft for mission 313 was 42-97128,
“Screwball Express”. Crew for that mission was
as follows:
Mckinley, William B, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot
Muehlbrandt, Arthur A,
Flight Officer, Co-Pilot
Peterson, Lloyd E,
2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Hayes, Warren S,
Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Synder, Robert
C, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Otto,
Douglas L, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Pratt, Russell D, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Trainum Jr., Alfred D, 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 grateful for a copy or transcript of
your father's diary - personnel accounts are
always welcome, and may be helpful reconciling
records or in future inquiries.
Responding 4 2/19/2008
Kent
Search No. 1405 - Paul E Saari
From: Walter Frazier,
waltf@hotmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:53 PM
My wife is looking for anyone who knew of
flew with Paul E. Saari. 379th england WWII.
Walter G Frazier
Walter –
Association records for Paul E Saari show he
flew 30 missions as radio operator/gunner with
the 525th Squadron from April 27 to June 24,
1944. Our records show missions 104, 108, 111,
113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 122, 123, 125,
126, 127, 129, 132, 133, 136, 137, 138, 139,
140, 141, 142, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149, and 152.
Sgt Saari may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we have in our records.
Sgt Saari flew his 1st combat mission, 379th
Mission 104, against the airdrome at Toul/Croixe
de Metz, France. Crew, and what appears to be
his “regular” crew, was as follows:
Ward,
Cameron S, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Davis, David
G, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Spoto, Peter C,
2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Prinkey, Melvin P,
Staff Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Saari,
Paul E, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Brink, Edwin F, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Johnson, Herbert N, Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner
Madewell, James A,
Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner
Smith, Abbott R,
Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner
Hall, Frank R,
Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Sorry, none of
these crewmen are on our current Association
roster.
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 2/19/2008
Kent
Search No. 1404 - Aircraft 44-6835 Stardust
From: Joe Riofredo,
devldogs@msn.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, January 21, 2008 9:46 AM
Subject: Stardust #44 - 6835
Greetings,
For Christmas, I received the 379th's,
two-volume Anthology, but thus far have been
unable to find any specifics concerning the role
Stardust and her crews played early in 1945. As
such, I was wondering if you might be able to
list the names of those crew members who flew
aboard Stardust #44-6835 ... any other details
(missions, etc.) would also be greatly
appreciated.
Thank you ...
Best
regards, Joe
Joe –
Association
records for aircraft 44-6835 indicate that she
was credited with 46 missions between January
22, 1945 and the cessation of hostilities. The
missions our records show “Stardust”
participating in are 270, 271, 272, 273, 274,
275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 282, 283, 284, 286,
287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 294, 295, 296,
297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 304, 305, 309,
311, 313, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 321, 323,
324, 325, 326, 327, and 330. Crew complement for
her 1st combat mission (and who flew, with some
personnel changes, this aircraft for 30 of their
35 missions) was as follows:
Royall Jr.,
John M, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Mcaleb, William
B, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Rudnicki, John W,
2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Gfrerer, Philip C,
Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Fullmer,
Robert D, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Pitchford, Robert E, Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Monier III, John E, Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner
Sines, Elmer E, Sergeant,
Waist Gunner
Kazar Jr., Louis , Sergeant,
Tail Gunner
“Stardust returned to the US
on or around July 12, 1945. The last record for
this airplane shows her at Kingman, Arizona on
December 13, 1945. 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 is attached – the
identities of the crewmen pictured are unknown.
Responding 4 1/26/2007
Kent
Search No. 1403 - Robert A Romme
From: alan hague,
alan@hague446assn.wanadoo.co.uk
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Monday, January
14, 2008 3:47 AM
Subject: Lt.R.A.Romme
Dear Sir/madam.
I am researching
details for a Cousin of 2nd Lt.Robert A.Romme,
0-667353 ,K.I.A. 1/5/44. 524th B.S. of the 379th
B.G. based at Kimbolton,U.K.
It is
believed his plane crashed on take off or was in
collision with a/n from the 303B.G. as there
were two crashes that day involving 379th a/c.
I am trying to find which crew he was with
and which a/c he was flying in. Can you please
help me?
Sincere thanks,
ALAN M.HAGUE
Curator Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum
,Flixton ,Suffolk,UK.
Alan –
Association records for Robert A Romme
show he flew 14 missions as navigator with the
526th Squadron from September 23, 1943 to
January 5, 1944. Our records show missions 31,
33, 35, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 51, 53,
and 56. Lt Romme may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we have in our
records.
Lt Romme was aboard a/c 42-37887
for the January 5, 1944 mission against the port
facilities at Kiel, Germany. The aircraft
crashed immediately after takeoff. Crew was as
follows:
Maresh, Wayne P, Flight Officer,
Pilot, Killed In Action
Mailander, Frank L,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Romme,
Robert A, Lieutenant, Navigator, Killed In
Action
Cashatt, Burton W, Lieutenant,
Bombardier, Killed In Action
Wilsey, Orvis J,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In
Action
Williams, Raymond , Tech Sergeant, Top
Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Mcgrew,
Albert N, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed
In Action
Cheramie, Maurice J, Staff
Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, Wounded In Action
Oneill, James , Staff Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner, Wounded In Action
Gentile, Jerry J,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Killed In Action
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 1/15/2008
Kent
Search No. 1402 - Robert Francis Isham
From: "Shawn Isham" <sipilot@roadrunner.com>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Thursday,
January 10, 2008 11:25 PM
Subject: 379th BG
525th Squadron.2nd Lt Robert Francis Isham
(Bombadier)..Serial Number 0-762779
I
found your great web site and plan on joining
the membership. I'm looking for any info you may
have on the military combat service records of
my Grandfather, Robert Francis Isham. From what
my father has told me, he went to England in
June of 1944 and returned August of 1944 after
completing his required amount of missions. His
first mission was June 6, 1944 in support of
D-day. I have a lot of his training records, but
very little combat information. Anything you
could provide would be greatly appreciated. I
would love to find a crew photo with him in it.
Regards,
Shawn Isham
Grandson of
Robert Isham
Shawn -
Association records for Robert
Francis Isham show he flew 32 missions as
bombardier with the 525th Squadron from June 10
to August 18, 1944. Our records show missions
140, 142, 143, 146, 147, 148, 149, 152, 155,
156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 167,
168, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 177, 178, 179,
180, 182, 188, 190, and 191. Lt Isham may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we have in our records.
Lt Isham
flew his missions in a number of different
aircraft, as was common. His 1st and 2nd combat
missions (which we show as 10 June - not sure of
your 6 June date, but entirely possible) were
flown in a/c 42-97678, "The Birmingham Jewell".
Crew (and what looks to be Lt Isham's regular
crew, at least for his early missions) was as
follows:
Hersberger, Robert A, 1st
Lieutenant, Pilot
Beckwith, Bosworth C, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Moreau, Thomas P, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator
Isham, Robert F, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Worth, J Harlan,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Wilkerson
Jr., Allen T, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
O'gurek, Stanley B, Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Mcdonald, Dale E, Sergeant,
Waist Gunner
Herrell, George , 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 1/15/2008
Kent
Search No. 1401 - William
Machulsky
From: "Wojcik, John W." <jwojcik@pwcgov.org>
To: <looking4@379thbga.org>
Sent: Wednesday,
January 09, 2008 2:04 PM
Subject: William
Machulsky
I am the grandson of William V.
Machulsky and looking for any information. He
was shot down on 11-08-1944 and the pilot of the
B-17 was 2Lt. Duffy.
Thanks for any info.
John -
Association records for William
Machulsky show he flew 11 missions as gunner
with the 526th Squadron from September 25 to
November 8, 1944. Our records show missions 208,
209, 213, 216, 219, 220, 226, 227, 228, 229,
231, and 234. Sgt Machulsky may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
have in our records.
On November 8, 1944,
Sgt Machulsky was aboard 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
An account of
the aircraft's subsequent crash landing by Sgt
Machulsky states that the airplane crash-landed
on the bank of the Maus River near Wellerooi,
20km north of Venlo. This report also 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. Sgt
Machulsky is listed as Evaded Capture.
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 attached, however the
identities of the crew members pictured is not
known. If you recognize Sgt Machulsky in this
photo, we would be grateful for that
information.
Responding 4 1/15/2008
Kent
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