LOOKING4

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Search No. 1430 - Joseph L Marsico

From: Paul J. Schneider, paul.j.schneider@gmail.com To: looking4@379thbga.org ; Paul J. Schneider Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2009 11:50 AM Subject: Looking4 Joseph L Marsico Good afternoon, First, thank you so much for this service. I hope you can help me find information on my grandfather... Joseph L Marsico. He spent time flying out of Kimbolton starting around 18 Dec 44. I am told that his B17G was shot down over a German controlled area (if not Germany itself) sometime before 9 Jan 45. He was then a POW for some time before returning to New York on May 2nd of 1945. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Also, I noticed mission reports available for sale on the website. I am curious of their contents. Can you let me know what type of information is typically contained in these reports? If I can find out which missions my grandfather participated in, I would surely like to purchase these reports. Thanks, Paul J Schneider Paul - Association records for Joseph L Marsico show he flew 3 missions as gunner with the 524th Squadron from January 21 to January 28, 1945. Our records show mission numbers 269, 271, and 272. Sgt Marsico may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Records show that on 28 January 1945, Sgt Marsico was part of a crew that was flying in a/c 43-38633, dispatched to attack marshalling yards at Cologne, Germany. That aircraft experienced a fire in the number 3 engine feeder tank resulting from a flak hit and, 20 minutes after the target, the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. The fire subsequently was extinguished, and the pilot was able to fly the airplane back to England. The crew was as follows: Kerr, Newton W, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, Returned To Base Kinder, Harry D, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, POW Wenger, Henry H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, POW Funderburg, Carl L, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier, POW Petraitis, John B, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA Haechrel, Andrew J, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, POW Weiner, George P, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, POW Marsico, Joseph L, Sergeant, Waist Gunner, POW Ingram, John E, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, POW This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. Mission reports typically contain briefing material, weather reports, bomb load list, formation, post mission summary, and crew comments. Responding 4 4/2/2009 Kent Search No. 1429 - Raymond L Berry From: Robin Wheeler, bertagerta@aol.com To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 2:27 PM Subject: family member look up My name is Robin Wheeler. My great uncle was in WWII and killed during the war. It is said that he was MIA but that they did get a body back. His tombstone reads: Raymond Lawrence Berry WV 379 AAF BOMB GP WWII He was born July 31, 1924 and he died March 24, 1945. He was not married and had no children. He is buried in the same cemetery as my father so I am one of few who visit his grave. I would very much like to know more about his service time if you can come up with anything. Any information you could provide would be appreciated. Thank You Robin Wheeler Robin - Association records for Raymond L Berry show he flew 18 missions as engineer/top turret gunner with the 527th Squadron from January 23 to March 24, 1945. Our records show mission numbers 271, 273, 274, 275, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284, 286, 291, 292, 294, 304, 305, 306, 308, and 309. Sgt Berry may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Records show that on 24 March 1945, Sgt Berry was part of a crew that was flying in a/c 43-38685. That aircraft was hit by flak over the target, setting the right wing on fire. The aircraft subsequently went into a spin before exploding. Of the 9 crew members, 6 were KIA and 3 were taken as POWs. The crew was as follows: Schwab, Charles A, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA Martin, Billy G, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, KIA Sterchak Jr., George , 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, POW Ford, James C, Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier, POW Brahm Jr., Roy M, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA Berry, Raymond L, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA Silverman, Jerome S, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, KIA Herr, Kenneth T, Sergeant, Tail Gunner, KIA Piper, Leroy F, Sergeant, Spot Jammer, POW 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 aircraft 42-102974, “Hellcat Agnes”, which is the aircraft Sgt Berry flew on his first combat mission, is being sent by separate e-mail. Responding 4 3/22/2009 Kent Search No. 1428 - William Z Platt From: William Platt, wplattii@gmail.com To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2009 11:33 AM Subject: My Father Sir, I think Dad, William Z. Platt, was in the 379th in 1944-45. The name of his plane was “Party Boys”. Please check your records. Thanks, Zach Platt, II Zach - Association records for William Z Platt show he flew 33 missions as gunner with the 524th Squadron from October 5, 1944 to March 8, 1945. Our records show missions 215, 216, 217, 221, 222, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 246, 248, 249, 251, 253, 256, 258, 259, 262, 266, 278, 280, 287, 289, 293, and 296. Sgt Platt may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with most air crew personnel, Sgt Platt flew his missions on a number of different aircraft. We have no information on any aircraft assigned to the 379th named “Party Boys”, but it was not uncommon for crews to “name” aircraft without that name being painted on. If you have any further information, like an aircraft serial number or a photo, we could pursue further. In any event, Sgt Platt did fly a number of his missions on a/c 43-37570, “Miss Liberty” – a photo of that a/c is being sent by separate e-mail. What looks to be Sgt Platt’s “regular” crew is as follows: Haynie, John C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Clipson, Frank R, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Baney, Merle L, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Witz, Wilfred M, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Drewek, Raymond , Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Didominicus, Nicholas M, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Mavro, Alexander P, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Platt, William Z, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Kyger, Clarence J, 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 3/13/2009 Kent Search No. 1427 - Charles L Fulton

From: Martin Fulton, voicex@bellsouth.net To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Sunday, March 01, 2009 5:55 AM Subject: Charles L. Fulton 2nd Lt. I am looking for information on my uncle who died of injuries received as a co- pilot on his 3rd mission. I have his flight records and know his missions were: 1.Munich 7/13/44 2.Frevent 7/17/44 3.Hollrie'Elskreuth He was from Owensboro , Ky. Would like to know his Plane # and markings and anything else I can find out about his brief time with the 379th 525th Martin Fulton Martin - Association records for Charles L Fulton show he flew 3 missions as co-pilot with the 525th Squadron from July 13 to July 19, 1944. Our records show missions 165, 167, and 169, which correspond to the missions you list. Lt Fulton may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with many other air crew personnel, Lt Fulton flew his 3 missions on 3 different aircraft – a/c 44-6094 (no name) for the mission to Munich, 42-97302, “Scotch N’ Soda” for the mission to Frevent, and 42-31779, “This Is It” for the mission to Hollrieqelskreuth. We have no photographs of the 1st or 3rd airplanes – a photo of “Scotch N’ Soda” is being sent by separate e-mail. Lt Fulton’s crew on the mission of July 19 was as follows: Clark, Albert R, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Fulton, Charles L, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Kolodczak, John , 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Robson, Howard E, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Maloney, James F, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Higgins, Edward D, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Zanetti, Marco R, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Shelton, Harry W, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Weick, Walter C, 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 from our archives, captioned only as “Lt Clark and crew … 1 July 1944” is being sent to you. If you recognize Lt Fulton among the crew members shown, we would be grateful if you would provide that information for our records. Responding 4 3/3/2009 Kent Search No. 1426 - LeRoy John Monk From: Tom and Becky Hall, tomandbeckyhall@cccomm.net To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Monday, February 23, 2009 12:04 AM Subject: LeRoy John Monk My father-in-law, LeRoy Monk was a 379 Bomb Group member and my wife and I have had little luck in getting information on his plane[s], missions, etc. He also related that he was in Africa and on Greenland at some time. Do you have any internet sites or links that we can find information on Lee or photos of the , "Heavenly Body II" [and any other info]. Thank you for your help, Tom and Becky Hall Tom, Becky - Association records for LeRoy John Monk show he flew 30 missions as radio operator/gunner with the 525th Squadron from April 22 to July 4, 1944. Our records show missions 100, 101, 102, 103, 108, 110, 115, 119, 120, 122, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 132, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147, 156, 157, and 158. Sgt Monk may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. On June 19, 1944, Sgt Monk was flying aboard a/c 42-97942, “Heavenly Body II” when it was involved in a mid-air collision over the Thames estuary following a raid on a rocket site at Zudausques, France. This crash killed 3 aboard “Heavenly Body II”, and 8 of the 9 aboard a/c 44-6133. Sgt Monk’s crew was as follows: Burns, Lloyd L, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot Kauffman, Fred S, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, KIA Sadler, Edward N, Flight Officer, Navigator, KIA Gray, Jack L, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Monk, Leroy J, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Gibbs, Leonard F, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Farmer, William H, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Andrews, Richard W, Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner Schulte, Louis W, 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. As stated, a/c 42-97942 was known by the name “Heavenly Body II”, however, the surviving crew members state that the name never did get painted on the airplane, and no known photographs of this aircraft are available. A photo of Sgt Monk’s “original” crew, with crew members identified, will be sent via separate e-mail. Responding 4 3/2/2009 Kent Search No. 1425 - Calvin Schapira From: Rick Schapira - RICKS@DNFSB.GOV To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 6:15 AM Subject: Calvin Schapira I would appreciate any information on Calvin D Schapira, my father and on tail number 239789. Rick - Association records for Calvin Schapira show he flew 24 missions as co-pilot with the 526th Squadron from November 16, 1943 to March 3, 1944. Our records show missions 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 53, 54, 55, 58, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. Lt Schapira may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Lt Schapira looks to be fairly unique in that his crew was very consistent over the course of his tour. Also, most of the crew’s missions were flown in one aircraft, 42-39783, “Blues in the Night”. His crew was as follows: Jaynes, Donald B, Lieutenant, Pilot Schapiro, Calvin D, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Simpson, Jack T, Lieutenant, Navigator Cole, Lloyd R, Lieutenant, Bombardier Dolph, Ralph (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Bolen, Edward L, Staff Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner Stockwell, James E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Crain, Reynold B, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Brewster, Charles H, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Callendar, Lynn C, 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/C 42-39789 was named “Stupefier II” I do not find any record that Lt Schapira flew any of his missions in that aircraft, however the records we have are not always complete. If you have information that suggests Lt Schapira was part of the crew of Stupefier II for any missions, or any photos of that aircraft, we would be grateful for copies. A photo of “Blues in the Night” is being sent via separate e-mail. Responding 4 2/18/2009 Kent Search No. 1424 - Phillip A Smith From: sean smith - pasmithx@peoplepc.com To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:45 AM Subject: Philip Smith My father, philip smith, was in the 524th wing. I was wondering if you have any information or pictures. He will be 89 this may. sean smith Sean - Association records for Phillip A Smith show he flew 28 missions as bombardier with the 527th Squadron from June 28 to November 4, 1944. Our records show missions 156, 157, 158, 159, 162, 171, 172, 186, 188, 189, 192, 194, 195, 197, 200, 201, 204, 205, 207, 208, 219, 222, 225, 226, 228, 229, 230, and 231. Lt Smith may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with most bomber crews, Lt Smith flew his missions with a number of different crews, and in a number of different aircraft, including several in a/c 42-40003, “Ol Gappy/Topper”. This aircraft went on to fly the highest number of missions, 157, of any B-17 in the Eighth Air Force. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Lt Smith’s “regular” crew, at the start of his tour, was as follows: Evans, Robert C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Richardson, Robert A, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot Cramer, Martin G, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Smith, Phillip A, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Nelson, Alvin , Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Kincaid, William R, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Hattaway, Clinton J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Wucki, Frank , Sergeant, Waist Gunner King, James B, 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 very much like to hear any memories of Kimbolton and the 379th should your father like to share them with us. Responding 4 2/2/2009 Kent Search No. 1423 - George A Frazier From: Brandon Frazier, hillbillyrokstar85@yahoo.com To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:18 PM Subject: Taletha Ann' and George A. Frazier Hey there, I am very interested in finding some information and pictures about the Telatha Ann and about my grandfather who was a waist gunner on this plane, at least when it was shot down on 3/26/1944, or other planes he may have been on. If u do have pictures i may be able to identify which one he is in the picture. Thank u very much!!!!! Brandon - My apologies - our database mis-spelled your grandfather's name on Mission 89 when Taletha Ann went down, and he became a POW. An amended response is attached below. Association records for George A Frazier show he flew 19 missions as gunner with the 526th Squadron from December 30, 1943 to March 26, 1944. Our records show missions 53, 54, 56, 58, 59, 60, 62, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 75, 80, 82, 88 and 89. Sgt Frazier may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with most bomber crews, Sgt Frazier flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 42-97485, “Taletha Ann”. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Sgt Frazier’s “regular” crew was as follows: Beilawski, Stanley L, Lieutenant, Pilot Buttrey, Wallace C, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Weinstein, Robert M, Lieutenant, Navigator Domorgue, Raymond E, Lieutenant, Bombardier Hartnett, Edward C, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Greggs, Leo L, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Conlin, Bernard M, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Ghiazza, Edward C, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Frazier, George A, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Fifield Jr., Lester (NMI), 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 1/24/2009 Kent Search No. 1422 - James J George From: Payson and Alice - alpay@beeline-online.net To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:07 PM Subject: T/Sgt. James J. [RIP] george S/N 31218933 I am seeking any info possible on my brother who was stationed at Kimbolton from march thru June 1944 as a radio/gunner on the B17 Judy II. thank you very much. payson george Payson - Association records for James J George show he flew 31 missions as radio operator/gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 10 to June 24, 1944. Our records show missions 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 103, 104, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121, 125, 127, 129, 130, 133, 134, 135, 136, 142, 143, 144, 145, 150, and 152. Sgt George may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with most bomber crews, Sgt George flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, however, unlike a lot of crews he flew the majority of his missions in a/c 42-97462, “Judy II”. A photograph of that airplane is being sent by separate e-mail. Sgt George’s “regular” crew was as follows: Dirks, Lyle D, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Brule, Robert W, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Landsberg, Leon H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator Bloomer, James A, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier George Jr., James J, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Fender, Wesley H, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Elder, Kenneth M, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Jones, Francis (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner Landis, George M, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Luben, Richard 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. If you have any photos from your brother’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. Hard copy photographs will be returned on request. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible. Responding 4 1/24/2009 Kent Search No.  1421 - Samuel E Runyon From: DUSTIN RUNYON - dustin.runyon@insightbb.com To: looking4@379thbga.org Sent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:34 AM Subject: Samuel Edwin Runyon Samuel Edwin Runyon enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1945 and was a tailgunner on a B17-G stationed at Kimbolton Airfield (379th). If it is available I'd like to get info on the bomber name and list of the crew members that served with him to add to my archives. Dustin - Association records for Samuel E Runyon show he flew 29 missions as tail gunner with the 524th Squadron from January 21 to April 25, 1945. Our records show missions 269, 271, 272, 274, 275, 276, 278, 281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 291, 293, 297, 302, 303, 306, 308, 313, 314, 315, 316, 324, 326, 327, 328, 329, and 330. Sgt Runyon may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. As with most bomber crews, Sgt Runyon flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 42-102974, “Hellcat Agnes” and 42-97370. “The Hellion”. Photographs of those 2 aircraft are being sent in a separate message. Sgt Runyon’s “regular” crew was as follows: Johnson, Carl H, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Mitchell II, Charles A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Lorenzi, Julius J, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier Steele, Powell , Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier Rinker, Max , Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Grindeland, Merlin , Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Roberson, Harrell , Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner Ronnie, Owen A, Sergeant, Waist Gunner Runyon, Samuel 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. If you have any photos from your grandfather’s service, especially airplanes or crew photos where the crew members are identified, we would be grateful for any digital copies. We are trying to fill in any gaps in our records with veteran’s personal photos when possible. Responding 4 12/22/2008 Kent Next >> See Looking4 Index