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From: Jackson Jordan
Sent: Tuesday, May
17, 2011 6:44 AM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Jack Firestone
I am looking
for information about my grandfather, Jack
Firestone.
Thank you,
Jackson Firestone
Jordan
Jackson –
Association records for Jack P.
Firestone show he flew 23 missions as navigator
with the 525th Squadron from June 11, 1943 to
May 11, 1944. Our records show missions 2, 3, 8,
9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 34,
42, 52, 59, 66, 91, 105, 109, and 115. Captain
Firestone may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we show in our records.
As with most Eighth Air Force crewmembers, Lt.
(later Capt.) Firestone flew his missions in a
number of different aircraft. What looks to have
been his “regular” crew was as follows:
Hoyt III, Elton, Lieutenant, Pilot
Sexton,
James W, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot
Firestone,
Jack P, Lieutenant, Navigator
Crum, Paul A,
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Dulberg, Herbert W,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Thomas, John
F, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner
Eldridge,
Russel H, Tech Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Minor, Harry L, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist
Gunner
Miller, William J, Staff Sergeant,
Left Waist Gunner
Leary, John 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. A photo of the crew
listed above is attached. We have Lt. Firestone
identified as front row, 3rd from left. Lt.
Firestone’s last mission with this crew was
Mission 25 on August 31, 1943. On September 16,
most of this crew went Missing in Action in the
aircraft shown, 42-29876, “Battlin Bobbie”. Most
of the crew evaded capture, and made their way
back to England. Sgt. Thomas was captured.
Responding 4 5/19/2011
Kent
Search No. 1489 - Duffy’s Tavern
42-31040
From: Didier Petit; didier.petit@skynet.be
Sent: Sunday, May 15,
2011 8:59 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Duffy's Tavern 42-31040
Sir,
I am looking for information and photos of the
crew who flew the last mission of the B-17F
Duffy’s Tavern (42-31040). According to my
information, this plane crashed on 29th January
1944 near Baclain (Belgium). I have already the
missing air crew report 2873 and the evade
report of some members of this crew. The last
mission number was 61 Frankfurt. This crew
belong to 527 bomber squadron. All information
and photos are welcome.
Thanks in advance.
2nd
Lt Didier Petit
Belgium
Didier –
Association records for a/c
42-31040, “Duffy’s Tavern” indicate the airplane
was dispatched on the 379th’s mission 61 on 29
January 1944 to an engine component plant at
Frankfurt, Germany. Crew, as you provided, was
as follows:
Hoverkamp, Douglas K, 1st
Lieutenant, Pilot, Interned/Returned
Hoppe,
Ernest J, 1st Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of
War
Sheppard, Meyles A, 1st Lieutenant,
Navigator, Interned/Returned
Paisano Jr,
Frank NMI, 1st Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner
Of War
Taylor, Orvin V, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Interned/Returned
Shepard,
Wendall J, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner,
Prisoner Of War
St John, Benjamin H, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Interned/Returned
Lawson, Howard W, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist
Gunner, Interned/Returned
Budelman, Clement
C, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner,
Interned/Returned
Prosperi, Warren J, Staff
Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Interned/Returned
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. We are
unaware of any photos of the complete crew,
however, attached is a photo of 5 members of the
crew who were interned in Switzerland as they
were returning to US control following the
liberation of France. Caption identifies these
men as:
Left to Right:
S/Sgt. Warren
J. Prosperi
S/Sgt. Howard W. Lawson
T/Sgt.
Orvin V. Taylor
S/Sgt. Clement C. Budelman
S/Sgt. Benjamin H. St. John
Responding 4
5/17/2011
Kent
Search No. 1488 - Nathan Egnor, Jr.
From: Bob Nash;
c.robert.nash@gmail.com
Sent: Friday, May 06,
2011 9:39 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 2ND LT Nathan Egnor
Good
evening,
I am looking for information about
my mother's half-brother 2LT Nathan Egnor Jr,
who was assigned as a Navigator on a B-17 with
the 525th Squadron and KIA over the Ruhr Valley
in June of 1943. Hoping to find out what plane
he flew in, crew members, etc. We have very
little history of this man to pass on to my
children, one of whom I named in his honor.
Thank you
LCDR Bob Nash
Executive Officer,
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion EIGHTEEN
Bob –
Association
records for Nathan Egnor, Jr. show he flew 2
missions as navigator with the 525th Squadron
from May 29 to June 22, 1943. Our records show
missions 1 and 4. Lt. Egnor may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
show in our records.
The 379th’s assigned
target for the June 22, 1943 mission was a
synthetic rubber plant at Huls, Germany.
According to the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR),
a/c 42-29946 was hit by flak and fighters near
the Initial Point. It left the formation due to
damage, some of the crew baling out at this
time. Shortly thereafter, the a/c went out of
control and spun in. Crew was as follows:
Dollarhide, Erskine S, Captain, Pilot,
Killed In Action
Nachtwey, Walter J,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Egnor
Jr., Nathan , Lieutenant, Navigator, Killed In
Action
Wacha Jr., Frank W, Lieutenant,
Bombardier, Killed In Action
Berger, Leon ,
Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In
Action
Boies, Earl J, Tech Sergeant, Top
Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Hoehn, Harry
L, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner
Of War
Donelson, Lloyd G, Sergeant, Right
Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Erdahl, Gerald
C, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, Prisoner
Of War
Mclaughlin, James F, 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. Photos of individual
aircraft and crew from this early period of
operations by the 379th are very scarce. If you
have any photos of Lt. Egnor or his crew that
you’d be willing to share for our archives, we’d
be most grateful. A photo of Lt. Egnor’s
aircraft for his 1st combat mission, on May 29,
1943, a/c 42-29830, “Peter Wabbit” (shown with a
later crew) is being sent to you.
Responding 4 5/7/2011
Kent
Search No. 1487 - Joseph B. Borger |
From: Borger, Joseph;
Joseph.borger@cincinnati-oh.gov
Sent:
Monday, May 02, 2011 11:17 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Search #1453;
Robert McMahon
I am responding to search
# 1453; Robert McMahon. My father, Joseph B.
Borger was the radio operator on Mr. McMahon’s
crew. My Dad told me that the aircraft was named
the “sugarfoot”. I have no more information but
would welcome anything that anyone else would
have. My dad was the recipient of the
Distinguished Flying Cross. He is still alive
and resides in Ohio.
Joe Borger
Joe –
Our regards
and best wishes to your father. Association
records for Joseph B. Borger show he flew 33
missions as radio operator/gunner with the 527th
Squadron from May 22 to July 19, 1944. Our
records show missions 122, 123, 124, 125, 126,
131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 138, 139, 141, 142,
143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 149, 150, 152, 153,
156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 163, 164, 165, and
169. Sgt. Borger may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we show in our
records.
As with most 8th Air Force
crewmen, Sgt. Borger flew his missions on a
number of different aircraft. Many of his
missions were flown on a/c 42-31915, “Mary Jo”.
Unfortunately, we have no photo of that
aircraft, however his 1st combat mission was
flown on a/c 42-102627, “Queenie”. A photo of
that aircraft is being sent to you. Sgt.
Borger’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Buel, Ward C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Welch,
Elmer S, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Vaughan
Jr., Harry H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Daly,
John F, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Borger,
Joseph B, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Rawson, Robert W, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Olmstead, Earl R, Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner
Babulski, Emil (NMI),
Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Grassfield, William M,
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
of Sgt Borger or his crew that you’d be willing
to share for our archives, we’d be most
grateful.
Responding 4 5/7/2011
Kent
Search No. 1486 - Fred A. Barton
From: Jonathan Gray;
jgray@cc-sol.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 26,
2011 5:26 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 1st Lt Fred A Barton
Dear Sirs
I am researching the above officer who was
killed in an air accident in 1945 close to where
I live in Co. Tyrone, N Ireland. Our Society
would like to recognise and honour the Service
of Lt Barton at some time in the future and I am
trying to find out as much info as I can on his
Service etc
Regards
Jonathan Gray
Public Relations Officer
Jonathon –
Association records for Fred A.
Barton show he flew 35 missions as pilot with
the 525th Squadron from November 8, 1944 to
March 3, 1945, including several missions as
element or squadron Lead. Our records show
missions 234, 235, 236, 237, 239, 241, 242, 243,
245, 246, 247, 249, 250, 252, 254, 255, 257,
259, 261, 262, 263, 264, 267, 268, 273, 275,
277, 280, 281, 285, 286, 288, 290, 292, and 293.
Lt. Barton may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we show in our records.
The 379th Bomb Group Association has little
information on Lt. Barton’s service following
the completion of his missions, however it is
believed he remained in the UK and was ferrying
aircraft at the time of his accident. His
“regular” crew during his assignment to the
379th was as follows:
Barton, Fred A, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot
Bartsch, Arlo F, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Campbell, Curtis B, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator
Waronker, Jay A,
Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Morris, Arthur
E, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Perkins,
Loren E, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Vought, Richard S, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Wilson, Keith H, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Bommarito, Joseph A, 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 5/7/2011
Kent
Search No. 1485 - Edward L. Fenity
From: James & Mary McConathy;
mconathy@verizon.net
Sent: Tuesday, April
26, 2011 5:25 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: T Sgt Edward L. Fenity
I am
looking for any available information on T. Sgt
Edward L. Fenity's (16051743) missions with the
379th. I know that he and most of his fellow
crew members were killed on the 124th mission
flown by the 379th on May 24th 1944. The plane
he was on at that time was tail number 42-37784.
I would like to learn about previous missions he
flew. He was my uncle
Thanks for your help
James McConathy
James –
Association records for Edward L. Fenity show he
flew 16 missions as radio operator/gunner with
the 525th Squadron from April 22 to May 24,
1944. Our records show missions 100, 101, 102,
104, 105, 106, 111, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117,
119, 120, 122, and 124. Sgt. Fenity may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we show in our records. On May 24, 1944,
the 379th was dispatched to bomb an aircraft
component plant at Berlin. Sgt. Fenity was part
of a crew flying in a/c 42-37784, “The Old Fox”.
Their aircraft was attacked by fighters
following the bomb run, causing a mid-air
collision with a/c 42-38082. Crew, and their
fates, was as follows:
Gease, Wilton E,
2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Gastineau Jr., Lucien O, 2nd Lieutenant,
Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Lorentz, Robert J,
Flight Officer, Navigator, Killed In Action
O'Neal, Richard C, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier,
Killed In Action
Fenity, Edward L, Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In
Action
Egan, Roger W, Tech Sergeant,
Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Amalfintano, John J, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner, Killed In Action
Chestnut, Robert F,
Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner, Killed In Action
Fetterolf, Carl S, 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. A photo from the
National Archives, captioned “Lt Gease and
crew…” and dated 17 April 1944, is attached. We
do not know the individual identities of the
crewmembers pictured – if you recognize Sgt.
Fenity in this photo, or have information that
may help us identify any of the others, we would
be grateful for that information.
Responding 4 5/7/2011
Kent
Search No. 1484 - George A. Hamrick, Jr.
From:
"Jessica Glatz" <jglatz@g.clemson.edu>
Date:
Wed, April 27, 2011 2:11 pm
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Re: Cpt George
Hamrick
Sir;
I am a member of The
Clemson Corps, a constituent group of the
Clemson University Alumni Association. We have
established a Scroll of Honor through which we
honor all Clemson alumni who paid the ultimate
sacrifice in service to our country - they died
while performing their military duties. We have
been blessed to have built a memorial where we
honor the current 479 heroes on the Scroll of
Honor.
I am researching material for a
Clemson University website Scroll of Honor
Memorial at
https://cualumni.clemson.edu/scrollofhonor.
Specifically I am interested in obtaining more
information, pictures, citations etc for the web
page of Cpt. George Hamrick. He was a member of
the 379th (527th bomb squad). I found your email
addresses while searching the web and thought
that you may be able to assist in providing more
information.
Respectfully,
Cdt. Jessica
Glatz
Jessica –
Association records for Captain George A.
Hamrick, Jr. show he was a member of the
original group of 379th pilots who left Kearney,
Nebraska in April 1943. He and his crew flew
their only combat mission, the 379th’s 2nd
mission, against the U-boat pens at
Wilhelmshaven, Germany on June 11, 1943. Six
aircraft failed to return from this mission out
of 31 dispatched, including Captain Hamrick’s –
a/c 42-29875. Crew, and their disposition, was
as follows:
Hamrick Jr., George A,
Captain, Pilot, Killed In Action
Gossen, Sam,
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Herrick, Hal B, Lieutenant, Navigator, Killed In
Action
Kozel, Walter, Lieutenant, Bombardier,
Killed In Action
Zarro, Anthony J, Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In
Action
Fleck, William M, Tech Sergeant, Top
Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Nichols,
Lother, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner,
Killed In Action
Mitchell, James A, Staff
Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, Killed In Action
Crain, Warren R, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner, Killed In Action
Gallegos, Jasper,
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.
Sorry, we have no additional information, and
photos from this early period of the 379th’s
history are rare – we have no known photo of
Captain Hamrick, his crew, or their aircraft.
Selected pages from the Missing Air Crew Report
covering this loss will be sent via separate
e-mail, and may prove useful.
Thanks for your
efforts in honoring our veterans.
Responding 4 5/3/2011
Kent
Search No. 1483 - Joseph L. Wells
From: Marty Hampton;
flomar1980@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, April 15,
2011 7:06 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Joseph L. Wells
I am looking for
anyone who knew my father or flew with him.
Especially the crew of "Big Blue Blazing
Blizzard". Any relatives of men who flew on this
crew? or surviving crew ? This plane was lost
Sept. 1944- 4 of the crew died. My father was
captured by the Germans and was interned at
Stalag Luft I. He was LT. Joseph L. Wells. We
have been fortunate to get info and speak with
surviving crew members of the "Powerful
Katrinka". This plane was lost June 1944. My
father survived 2 plane crashes.
Thanks
Marty Wells Hampton
Marty –
Association records for Joseph L.
Wells show he flew 29 missions as co-pilot with
the 524th Squadron from May 23 to September 8,
1944. Our records show missions 123, 124,
125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 132, 134, 135, 136,
137, 138, 139, 140, 143, 144, 145, 147, 148,
149, 150, 152, 153, 191, 192, 194, 196, and 199.
Lt. Wells may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we show in our records.
On September 8, 1944, the 379th was
dispatched to bomb the synthetic oil plant at
Ludwigshafen, Germany. Lt. Wells was flying in
a/c 42-31720, “The Blue Blazing Blizzard”, when
that aircraft suffered a direct flak hit near
the target, causing the right wing to come off.
Crew, and their disposition, was as follows:
Ellingson, Orvest G, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot,
Killed In Action
Wells, Joseph L, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Collins, Merill B, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator,
Prisoner Of War
Danielsen, Clifford N, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Killed In Action
Mansen, Roy F, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Harrell,
Robert J, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Demure, Joe K, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Young, Clair F, Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner,
Prisoner Of War
Tipsword, Wallace R, Staff
Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Prisoner Of War
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Sorry,
none of the survivors or their families are on
our current Association roster. A photo of “The
Blue Blazing Blizzard” is being sent to you –
this photo is dated 20 April 1944, with an
earlier crew. If you have any photos of Lt.
Wells or his crew that you’d be willing to
share, we would be grateful for any additions to
our archives.
Responding 4 4/30/2011
Kent
Search No. 1482 - Robert L. Grube
From: Gregory PONS, gregpons@yahoo.fr
Sent:
Wednesday, March 09, 2011 6:42 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Information
Request
Hello,
I am a french historian
and I would appreciate any information on 2nd
Lt. Robert L. GRUBE (serial# O-761078). As I
know he was co-pilot on Lt. TARKAN's crew and
was assigned to the 527th Bomb Squadron. I would
be very interested in obtaining the list of the
missions he flew. I look forward to hearing from
you
Best regards
Greg
Greg –
Association records for Robert L.
Grube show he flew 35 missions as co-pilot with
the 527th Squadron from September 9, 1944 to
February 14, 1945. Our records show missions
200, 201, 220, 221, 224, 226, 228, 229, 230,
231, 233, 234, 235, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242,
243, 244, 247, 248, 249, 254, 255, 256, 257,
259, 260, 261, 263, 264, 270, 271, and 278. Lt.
Grube may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we show in our records. Lt.
Grube’s “regular” crew was as follows:
Tarkan, Harvey S, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Grube, Robert L, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Olander Jr., Frederic H, 2nd Lieutenant,
Navigator
Claesgens, Robert F, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Beaudoin, Bertrum J,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Ellis
Jr., William F, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Block, Edward S, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Dugger, Tommy E,
Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Koumantaros,
Thomas T, 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 3/26/2011
Kent
Search No. 1481 - Charles F. Gatewood
From: ukkid <ukkidtkg@frontier.com>
Sent:
Tuesday, March 01, 2011 5:15 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Charles
Franklin Gatewood
My uncle Charles
Franklin Gatewood passed away on Feb. 25, 2011.
I would like information on his bombing missions
from 12/4/44 to 2/14/45. He was a member of the
379th Bomb Group at Kimbolton. He was 87 when he
passed away.
Thank you.....
Sir -
Our condolences on your uncle's
passing. With your permission, we'll add his
name to our Taps roster. Association records for
Charles F. Gatewood show he flew 35 missions as
navigator with the 527th Squadron from December
4, 1944 to April 14, 1945. Our records show
missions 247, 248, 250, 251, 252, 254, 255, 257,
259, 260, 264, 265, 267, 270, 271, 273, 274,
275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 282, 287, 294, 295,
297, 302, 305, 306, 307, 319, 322, 323, and 324.
Lt. Gatewood may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we show in our records.
Lt. Gatewood's crew was as follows:
McGlothlin, Benny M, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Mcaleb, William B, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Gatewood, Charles F, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Farrar, Robert J, Corporal, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Miles, William F, Private, Radio Operator/Gunner
Grim, John L, Corporal, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Noble Jr., James F, Corporal, Ball
Turret Gunner
Lindquist, Paul R, Corporal,
Waist Gunner
Roberts, James E, Corporal, 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 of Lt.
Gatewood, or his crew, that you'd be willing to
share, we would be grateful. We have a large
group of crew photos with no names to go with
the faces, and any crew photos that families of
veterans may have may be extremely helpful in
identifying another crew.
Responding 4
3/6/2011
Kent |
