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LOOKING4
The Looking4 section is designed to help you find more information about someone who served in the 379th. Please send your inquiries to:
looking4@379thbga.org.
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Search No. 1620 - Anthony J. Vietri
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From: sole vietri;
solevietri@icloud.com
Sent: Monday, May 06,
2013 11:30 AM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Anthony J. Vietri
Looking for
any information and photos in regard to a b17 "
miss lace" shot down over zeitz, germany on
november 30, 1944. In particular, looking for
information of crewman Anthony Vietri.
Thank you for help!
Sole Vietri
Sole –
Association records for Anthony J.
Vietri show he flew 27 missions as co-pilot with
the 527th Squadron from July 9 to September 9,
1944. Our records show missions 162, 163, 164,
165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 174, 175, 176,
178, 179, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188, 189, 192,
193, 194, 196, 197, 198, and 200. Lt. Vietri may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we show in our records.
On the
September 9, 1944 mission to Mannheim, Germany,
the 379th Bomb Group targeted a rail transport
facility. Lt. Vietri was flying as co-pilot in
a/c 43-38092(no name), which was hit by flak and
exploded over the target. Crew was as follows:
Butler, Edward G, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot,
Killed In Action
Vietri, Anthony J, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
O'Keefe, Francis T, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator,
Killed In Action
Yates, Carl C, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner Of War
Sweeney, John E, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Rillings,
Ellsworth F, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Killed In Action
Kunkle, Ellis A,
Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed In
Action
Brown, Beryl J, Staff Sergeant, Waist
Gunner, Killed In Action
Michalski, John J,
Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Prisoner Of War
As you state, a/c 44-6140, “Miss Lace” was
lost during the mission to Zeitz, Germany on 30
November 1944, however, as indicated above, Lt.
Vietri was killed in September in another
aircraft. He did fly missions in Miss Lace (14
missions), but as with most 8th Air Force
crewmen, he flew his missions in a number of
different aircraft.
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, dated 25 June
1944, and identified as the Butler crew, is
being sent by separate e-mail. If you recognize
Lt. Vietri in this photo, we would be grateful
for that information. If you have any crew
photos that include him, we would be grateful
for any copies you’d be willing to share.
Responding4 5/8/2013
Kent
Search No. 1619 - John A. Fraser
From: Laura Ann; fraser.lauraann@gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2013 10:56 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Trying to find information out about my
grandfather, John Fraser
Hi,
I was wondering if you had any
information/pictures about my grandfather. His
name is John Fraser. He flew on "One Mo' Time"
and "Hellcat Agnes" and was a bombardier. This
is about the extent to what I know about his
planes, although I do recall him saying that on
one of his missions, his plane was shot down.
Any more information/pictures would be very
helpful.
Thanks,
Laura Fraser
Laura –
Association records for John A.
Fraser show he flew 37 missions as
gunner/togglier with the 526th Squadron from
September 1, 1944 to January 28, 1945. Our
records show missions 199, 208, 209, 210, 211,
214, 215, 218, 220, 221, 223, 224, 226, 227,
228, 229, 231, 232, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240,
244, 248, 249, 252, 253, 254, 257, 258, 262,
264, 265, 267, 268, and 272. Sgt. Fraser may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we show in our records.
What
looks to be Sgt. Fraser’s “regular” crew was as
follows:
Meyne, Russell V, Lieutenant,
Pilot
Mattice, Lynn W, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Harmon, Robert P, Lieutenant, Navigator
Fraser, John A, Staff Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier
Lynch, James J, Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Castellano,
Vincent J, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Cato, Benjamin R, Staff Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner
Hay, Peter , Sergeant, Waist
Gunner
Ash, Donald , Staff Sergeant, Tail
Gunner
Although all heavy bombers were
equipped with a bombardier’s station, and a
bombardier was one of the 4 officer complement
of a heavy bomber crew during training and the
early part of the war, by mid-1944 commissioned
bombardiers were typically only in Lead and
Deputy Lead airplanes. The rest of the
Squadron’s airplanes included an enlisted man in
a position designated as the togglier. His job
was to toggle, or release, the bombs when the
bombardier in the Lead ship did so. Sgt. Fraser
flew most of his missions in that position.
I find no record of Sgt. Fraser being “shot
down” on any of his missions, but I do find as
many as 3 occasions were his he and his crew
“landed away” during a mission, due to either
battle damage or airplane malfunction. The term
“landed away” generally signifies that they did
not return directly to base, but instead had to
land at another location. One of the listings
states that they landed away at Laon/Couvron
airdrome in France.
As with most 8th Air
Force crew members, Sgt. Fraser flew his
missions in a number of aircraft, including, as
you state, a/c 42-102974, “Hellcat Agnes” (11
missions). Sorry, I have no information on an
airplane named “One Mo’ Time” – either this is a
named airplane that we have no previous record
of, or it was this crew’s “unofficial” name for
an airplane they flew frequently. A photo of
Hellcat Agnes, pictured with an earlier crew, is
being sent by separate e-mail.
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 photo of Sgt. Fraser or his crew. If
you have any crew photos that include him, we
would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share.
Responding4 5/6/2013
Kent
Search No. 1618 - Ex–POWs from the 379th
From: Theron or
Diane Snell; tsnell@wi.rr.com
Sent: Sunday,
April 14, 2013 8:52 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Ex-POW's from
the 379th
Hello:
A few days ago, I
wrote looking for information on the loss of the
aircraft in which William C. Hendrickson was
flyng. I explained that he sailed back home on
the SS SANTA MARGARITA, one of four ships
carrying ex-pow’s back to the USA in May 1945. I
am writing a history of the SANTA MARGARITA and
would like the details to add to the story of
that particular voyage.
I am writing
again because I found a second member of the
379th on the SANTA MARGARITA on that same
voyage. PAUL W. HARTMAN. Again, I am looking for
details of the mission on which they were shot
down and any details of the loss of their
aircraft.
Thank you in advance for your
time and effort. By the way, my father was
actually shipped TO the ETO in August 1944 on
board this same ship…hence my interest.
Sincerely,
Theron P. Snell, Ph.D
Theron –
William C.
Hendrickson flew 18 missions with the 527th
Squadron from December 13, 1943 to March 6,
1944. On March 6, 1944, flying in the Eighth Air
Force’s first daylight bombing mission to
Berlin, Lt. Hendrickson was the pilot of a/c
42-31555. This aircraft was seen to be on fire
in engine No. 3, likely due to flak, forcing the
crew to bail out. Crew was as follows:
Hendrickson, William C, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot,
Prisoner Of War
Moore, John H, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed in Action
Wolodka, Harry B, Flight Officer, Navigator,
Prisoner Of War
Moore, James P, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner Of War
Houser, Gus A, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Ball Jr.,
Gus J, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Bishop, Samuel N,
Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of
War
Grange, Thomas (NMI), Staff Sergeant,
Right Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Webly,
Rance J, Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner,
Prisoner Of War
Donatelli, August J, Staff
Sergeant, Tail Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Paul W. Hartman flew 3 missions with the 524th
Squadron from June 11 to June 25, 1943. On June
25, 1943, in a raid against the U-Boat pens at
Hamburg, Germany, a/c 42-30165 was attacked and
shot down by fighters. Crew was as follows:
Hartman, Paul W, Lieutenant, Pilot, Prisoner
Of War
Howe, Charles M, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot,
Prisoner Of War
Gore, James A, Lieutenant,
Navigator, Prisoner Of War
Francis, John J,
Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner Of War
Blick, James E, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Gullace,
Anthony J, Private, Top Turret Gunner, Prisoner
Of War
Slagowski, Clyde L, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Schrader,
Harold L, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner,
Killed In Action
Greeley, Robert E, Private,
Left Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Fannin,
Bryant W, 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, we have no photo of either
of these crews.
Responding4 4/22/2013
Kent
Search No. 1617 - Willard H. Clothier
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From: Lindsay Morgan;
linzbmorgan@gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, April
06, 2013 1:28 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Hi my name is Lindsay Morgan. I am the
granddaughter of William H Clothier Sgt/radio
operator/gunner on aircraft 42-5828 " seater
girl". I am trying to find pictures and or
information involving my grandpa. He died of a
heart attack before I was born. My mother has
few pics and I would love to share some with
her. I'm also interested in knowing more of his
experience in the war that cost him his leg.
Please let me know where I can find any
information about him.
Lindsay –
Association records for Willard H. Clothier show
he flew 12 missions as radio operator/gunner
with the 524th Squadron from December 16, 1943
to February 22, 1944. Our records show missions
49, 51, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 60, 62, 68, 69, and
71. Sgt. Clothier may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we show in our
records.
On February 22, 1944, Sgt.
Clothier was flying as radio operator/gunner in
a/c 42-5828, “The Sweater Girl”, which was part
of a group attacking an aircraft factory at
Halberstadt, Germany. This aircraft was seen hit
by flak on the right wing, and went down in a
spin near Koln, Germany. Crew was as follows:
Morse, John E, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot,
Prisoner Of War
Philips, Robert J, Flight
Officer, Co-Pilot, Prisoner Of War
Lovelace,
Leonard R, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, Prisoner
Of War
Daniels, Robert Y, 2nd Lieutenant,
Bombardier, Prisoner Of War
Clothier, Willard
H, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner,
Prisoner Of War - Repatriated
Sechrist,
Charles S, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Neill, Homer L, Staff
Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Cox, Charles E, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist
Gunner, Prisoner Of War
Allen, Andrew L,
Staff Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, Prisoner Of
War
Pate, Edward T, Sergeant, Tail Gunner,
Prisoner Of War - Repatriated
The tail
gunner, Sgt Edward Pate, had a hole through his
ankle, and the radioman, T/Sgt Willard H.
Clothier, had his thigh partly severed. Both of
these men were repatriated after a stay in a POW
hospital.
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 photo of Sgt.
Clothier or his crew. If you have any crew
photos that include him, we would be grateful
for any copies you’d be willing to share. A
photo of a/c 42-5828, “The Sweater Girl”, is
attached.
Responding4 4/14/2013
Kent
Search No. 1616 - Roderick A. Nurse
From: Theresa Young;
tetsi@live.com
Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2013
1:16 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Roderick A. Nurse
Hello. My name
is Theresa Young. I recently started researching
my fathers military history. I found his name in
your website when I did a Google search with his
name. I am writing with the hope that you can
give me some more information regarding my
father. His name is Roderick A. Nurse. He was a
radio man in a B-17. My father passed away on
4-4-08. I only wish I had asked him more
questions when he was alive. I have several
photographs and I even have a notebook that has
all his radio information including some of the
missions he flew in. I am also hoping you will
also be able to tell me the name of the plane he
flew in. Thank you very much for any information
you can give me.
Theresa Young
Theresa –
Association records for Roderick A.
Nurse show he flew 4 missions as radio
operator/gunner with the 527th Squadron from
April 15 to April 25, 1945. Our records show
missions 325, 326, 328, and 330. Sgt. Nurse may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we show in our records.
Sgt.
Nurse joined the 379th as combat operations were
concluding – mission 330 was the Group’s final
combat mission. His “regular” crew, possibly the
one he trained with, was as follows:
Christlieb, Thomas V, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Schultz, Edward M, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Knight, Graham M, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Blankenship, Joe , Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier
Nurse, Roderick A, Sergeant,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Johns, Charles T,
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Kimbrough, Louis E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Hill, Edward , Sergeant, Tail Gunner
As
was typical of 379th crews, Sgt. Nurse flew his
4 combat missions in 4 different aircraft,
including some that had no name. A photo of a/c
42-102627, “Queenie”, pictured with an earlier
crew, is being sent by separate e-mail. It was
in this aircraft that Sgt. Nurse flew his 1st
combat mission.
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 photo
of Sgt. Nurse or his crew. If you have any crew
photos that include him, we would be grateful
for any copies you’d be willing to share.
Responding4 4/14/2013
Kent
Search No. 1615 - William A. Elliott
From: Bill Elliott;
belliott1046@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, April
04, 2013 11:03 AM
To: Looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: William A. Elliott LT Pilot
I am looking for information concerning my
father William A. Elliott. He was a B17 Pilot
with the 379thBG in Kimbolton. I have read that
two of the planes he flew were Stupefier II and
Dragon Lady. One of his missions was the
December 20 raid on Bremen.
Thanks
Bill Elliott
Bill –
Association records for William A.
Elliott show he flew 31 missions as pilot with
the 526th Squadron from November 16, 1943 to May
28, 1944. Our records show missions 42, 43, 45,
46, 47, 48, 50, 55, 59, 60, 61, 62, 65, 66, 69,
71, 72, 73, 78, 79, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 113,
115, 117, 118, 127, and 128. Lt. Elliott may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we show in our records.
Lt.
Elliott flew a number of his missions as you
state in a/c 42-37764, “Dragon Lady” and
42-39789, “Skunkface” (aka “Stupefier II”). Lt.
Elliott’s “regular” crew, possibly the one he
trained with, was as follows:
Elliott,
William A, Lieutenant, Pilot
Fisher, Richard
W, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Rockwell, James L,
Lieutenant, Navigator
Cashatt, Burton W,
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Fawcett, Arthur C,
Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Williams, Raymond, Staff Sergeant, Top Turret
Gunner
Corwin, Charles J, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner
Wikle, Logan D, Sergeant,
Right Waist Gunner
Payne, Udolphus D,
Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner
Fiorenti, William
J, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Following
mission 79, Lt. Elliott flew as co-pilot on a
number of missions with Colonel Preston and
other high ranking officers of the 379th Bomb
Group and the 41st Bomb Wing.
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 “Dragon Lady” is is being sent by separate
e-mail – we have no photo of Lt. Elliott’s crew.
If you have any photos of Lt. Elliott or his
crew, we would be grateful for any copies you’d
be willing to share.
Responding4 4/8/2013
Kent
Search No. 1614 - Dennis F. Lang
From: ed weldy;
grey-dog@ix.netcom.com
Sent: Thursday, March
28, 2013 10:14 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Looking for info on uncle
Hello Im looking for info on my uncle who died
in worldwar 2 in france,he flew a b-17 as co
pilot the 525th squad 379th group. his name was
Dennis Lang do you have any info? as far as I
know he died on 4/15-16/ 1945
Thanks
Ed –
Association
records for Dennis F. Lang show he flew 1
mission as co-pilot with the 525th Squadron on
April 25, 1945. Our records show 379th mission
number 330, which was the last combat mission
flown by the Group. Lt. Lang may have flown
additional missions, but this is the only one
shown in our records.
The 379th Bomb
Group’s final combat mission was against the
armament works at Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. Lt.
Lang was flying co-pilot in a/c 43-38272, “The
Thumper”, which was involved in a mid-air
collision with another 379th aircraft, 43-38178,
“Seattle Sue”. Crew was as follows:
Evans, Clair W, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, Killed In
Action
Lang, Dennis F, 2nd Lieutenant,
Co-Pilot, Killed In Action
Teller, Abraham,
Flight Officer, Navigator, Prisoner of War
Slane, Leland E, Flight Officer, Bombardier,
Killed In Action
Cooler, Norman B, Sergeant,
Radio Operator/Gunner, Prisoner of War
Fanning Jr., William E, Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Dobson,
Robert J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed
In Action
Stewart, Victor L, Sergeant, Tail
Gunner, Killed In Action
There was one
fatality on the crew of Seattle Sue, the balance
of that crew was able to reach allied control
after parachuting from their airplane.
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 photo of Lt. Lang or his crew. If you
have any photos of him or his crew, we would be
grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 4/7/2013
Kent
Search No. 1613 - Richard J. Lavery
From: Lavery, Matt R.; Lavery@aafes.com
Sent:
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 7:20 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Richard J.
Lavery, 2nd Lt.
I am curious if have any
information or photos of my father, Richard J.
Lavery, who was a pilot in WW2 flying B-17’s. I
believe he was with the 524th bomber squadron
flying out of England.
Thank you,
Richard M. Lavery, Jr.
Richard –
Association records for Richard J.
Lavery show he flew 31 missions as pilot with
the 524th Squadron from April 13 to June 20,
1944. Our records show missions 96, 98, 99, 100,
101, 102, 104, 106, 108, 114, 115, 117, 122,
125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 132, 134, 136,
137, 139, 140, 142, 143, 144, 145, 147, and 148.
Lt. Lavery may have flown additional missions,
but these are the ones we can account for.
Lt. Lavery’s “regular” crew, possibly the
one he trained with, 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. Sorry,
we have no photo of Lt. Lavery or his crew. If
you have any photos of him or his crew, we would
be grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 4/7/2013
Kent
Search No. 1612 - Francis A. Zambie
From: Marine; marine55rick@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 4:17 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 379th BG info
request
Good Evening,
I am researching
the death of Sgt. Francis A. Zambie who was
killed on his first mission, May 7, 1944 on the
B-17 "Blues in the Night", Sn# #42-37791. I have
a listing of the crew names, thanks to your
"Looking 4" page (though you have Francis's last
name spelled "Kambie"). I do not have a copy of
his MARC report and therefore do not know what
the circumstances were in regards to what
actually happened to the plane (FLAK, shot down,
explosion, etc). I also would like a photograph
of the Smith crew if possible, even though I am
sure there will not be a photo of Francis
anywhere since he was new to the squadron/group.
If you are interested, I have a Find-A-Grave
memorial for Francis should you wish to see it.
It is a work in progress and will not be
finished until I hear from you but if you see a
glaring error please do not hesitate to let me
know. His memorial is #13103325. I will
hopefully work on memorials for the rest of the
crew very soon.
Thank you very much for
your time and kind consideration with my
request. I pray it has not been an inconvenience
for you and look forward to your response.
Respectfully,
Rick Lawrence, MSgt.,
USMC/USAFR (RET)
Rick –
Association records for Francis A.
Zambie show he flew 1 mission as gunner with the
526th Squadron on May 7, 1944. This was 379th BG
mission 111 to Berlin. Sgt. Zambie may have
flown additional missions, but we have no other
mission information.
On May 7, 1944, the
379th Bomb Group was assigned an aircraft
component plant at Berlin, Germany. Sgt. Zambie
was the ball turret gunner in a/c 42-37791
(which has previously been identified as “Blues
in the Night”, we believe, in error), which is
believed to have been hit by flak and gone out
of control. Crew was as follows:
Smith,
Thomas M, Lieutenant, Pilot, Killed In Action
Scase, Robert C, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Killed In
Action
Chamberlain, James C, Lieutenant,
Navigator, Killed In Action
Morrison, Thomas
P, Lieutenant, Bombardier, Prisoner of War
Bilohlavek, George A, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner, Killed In Action
Woznakiewics, Leon N, Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner, Killed In Action
Zambie,
Francis A, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Killed
In Action
Killingsworth, Dan L, Staff
Sergeant, Waist Gunner, Killed In Action
French, Walter A, 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 photograph identified as the
Smith crew, and dated 29 April 1944 is attached.
If you can identify Sgt. Zambie in this photo,
or have any photos of him or his crew, we would
be grateful for any copies you’d be willing to
share.
Responding4 4/6/2013
Kent
Search No. 1611 - Lawrence T. Lhota
From: Dennis Lhota; dclhota@mac.com
Sent:
Thursday, February 28, 2013 4:53 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 379th
"Topper" - Larry (Lawrence) T Lhota
My
father, who passed away last year at the age of
87, was the tail gunner on the B-17 "Topper" or
"Top Hat." He is identified in a photograph in
your archive (Search No. 1308). His name was
Staff Sgt. Larry (Lawrence) T Lhota. I am
interested in whatever other informaiton you
have concerning his career or that of his plane.
My dad had several photographs he took during
his time based in England and during combat
missions. I will try to find them when I next
visit my mother.
Thank you,
Dennis C
Lhota
Dennis –
Our condolences on your father’s
passing. We will add his name to our Taps
roster.
Association records for Lawrence
T. Lhota show he flew 34 missions as gunner with
the 524th Squadron from September 21, 1944 to
January 17, 1945. Our records show missions 207,
208, 212, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221, 222, 223,
225, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236,
239, 240, 241, 244, 249, 252, 255, 256, 258,
259, 262, 263, 265, 266, and 267. Sgt. Lhota may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we show in our records.
As you
state, Sgt. Lhota flew many of his missions in
a/c 42-40003, “Ol’ Gappy/Topper”. This aircraft
flew more combat missions than any other heavy
bomber in the Eighth Air Force – 157 – which is
a remarkable achievement, a credit to the 379th,
and especially the crew responsible for
maintenance. In the attached photo, dated
January 8, 1945, the maintenance crew is
believed to be front row but are, unfortunately,
not identified. Crew for the January 8 mission
was as follows:
Chute, James H, 1st
Lieutenant, Pilot
Butler, Marvin L, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Phelps, Robert L, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier
Cook, Phillip B, Staff
Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Mcmahan, John
W, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Bruner, Jack A, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Miller, Joe E, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner
Mcneill Jr., William H,
Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Lhota, Lawrence
T, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Identifications (and unknowns) are as follows:
Front Row, L to R: unknown; unknown;
unknown; unknown; unknown
Middle Row, L to R:
William H. McNeill Jr.; Lawrence T. Lhota; Jack
A. Bruner; Phillip B. Cook(?)
Back Row, L to
R: Joe E. Miller; John W. McMahan; Marvin L.
Butler; James H. Chute; Robert L. Phelps(?)
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. Lhota or his crew,
we would be grateful for any copies you’d be
willing to share.
Responding4 4/6/2013
Kent
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