From: Robert Cook; robert.d.cook@me.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 7:09 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: John T. Shields, WWII navigator
My wife's father, John T. Shields. whom I never
had the opportunity to meet, was a navigator in
WWII and reportedly flew on missions on DDay.
Any information you have on him would be great.
Thanks.
Robert Cook
Robert –
Association records for John T. Shields show he
flew 35 missions as PFF navigator with the 525th
Squadron from September 3, 1944 to March 17,
1945. Records indicate those missions as 198,
204, 208, 209, 212, 214, 216, 218, 219, 220,
225, 226, 228, 230, 233, 236, 237, 241, 242,
244, 251, 252, 256, 262, 264, 272, 274, 276,
281, 283, 285, 289, 293, 297, and 303. Lt.
Shields may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we can document.
Lt. Shields, unlike traditional navigators who
were part of a standard crew complement, was a
PFF (Pathfinder Force) Navigator. He navigated
by way of a radar set mounted in the airplane,
and a retractable radome that replaced the B-17s
normal ball turret. With this equipment,
navigation to the target was possible even with
cloud cover. Since this was a function reserved
for Lead airplanes, the PFF operator (sometimes
referred to as the “Mickey” operator) flew with
whatever crew had the Lead for a given mission.
One notable mission for Lt. Shields was the
October 14, 1944 mission to the marshalling
yards at Saarbrucken, Germany. Crew 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 –
Formation Control
Flying in the Lead position, this crew, flying
a/c 44-8136 experienced multiple engine
failures, finally resulting in an unpowered
glide onto a field in liberated France. The crew
was able to find a ride to Paris, and were back
at Kimbolton flying more missions a few days
later.
This response will be posted in the "Looking 4"
section of our website, in case any members or
readers have any additional information. Related
documents are being sent separately. If you have
any photos of Lt. Shields during his 379th
service you’d be willing to share, we would be
grateful for any copies.
Responding4 1/8/2014
Kent
Search No. 1649 - Charles C. Vermillion
From: Kaye Hardy; ckhardy@yahoo.com
Sent: Thursday, January 02, 2014 3:52 AM
To: Looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Charles Core Vermillion
I am looking for information concerning the
service of Charles Core Vermillion. He was born
and raised in the Shamrock., Texas, area. I know
that he served with the 379th Bomb Group out of
Kimbolton, England, from 1943 to 1944. My father
always told me that he was a tail gunner but my
sister says a waist gunner. Can you tell me
which is correct and what the difference in the
two are? I do not have any service information
other than he served with the Army Air Corp. I
would like any service information that you may
have including his service number.
Thank you,
Charlyce Kaye Vermillion Hardy
Charlyce –
Association records for Charles C. Vermillion
show he flew 24 missions as gunner with the
524th Squadron from October 20, 1943 to February
22, 1944. Records indicate those missions as 39,
40, 41, 43, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 51, 54, 56, 58,
59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, and 71.
Sgt. Vermillion may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we can
document.
Sgt. Vermillion’s regular crew, likely the one
he trained with, was as follows:
Hemphill, Mac C, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Marshall, Kasper J, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Donley, Harold E, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Russoff, Jack (NMI), 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Harris, Wilson L, Staff Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Curry Jr., James F, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret
Gunner
White, Richard G, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner
Mulhausen, James J, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist
Gunner
Vermillion, Charles C, Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner
Price, Thomas U, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Mission records we have available show Sgt.
Vermillion flying all his missions as a waist
gunner, located at the window positions in the
side of the airplane, just aft of the wing.
However, gunners were qualified as that, and
were free to move into the other gun positions
if mutually agreeable. It is possible he
switched positions with the tail gunner (located
below and behind the vertical tail) for one or
more missions.
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. Vermillion or his crew.
If you have any photos of your father during his
379th service you’d be willing to share, we
would be grateful for any copies. We have no
information on his service number.
Responding4 1/7/2014
Kent
Search No. 1648 - Sumner M. Alpert
From: Brad Alpert;
kid.doc@verizon.net
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 1:26 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Sumner M. Alpert
I am looking for information about my father,
Sumner M Alpert. He served as a B17 pilot Eighth
Air Force, Group 379 Squadron 524. I know that
on 9/28/44 his plane was badly damaged by flak.
Two engines were hit on one wing, the pilot got
glass in his eyes when some flak came through
the wind shield, and the navigator was also
injured. He feather the engines which had lost
oil pressure, but they kept windmilling and
catching on fire. He was able to get back to
England safely. He was awarded the Distinguished
Flying Cross. I found reference about him in
search 1538. I learned that his plane was named
the Lost Angle. After the war, he remained in
the Air Force. We were stationed in Anchorage
Alaska. On 6/29/55 while piloting a C-47, he
flew to Sitkinak Island to drop barrels of
kerosene on Sitkinak Dome, where a radar
installation was to be build. The plane went
down and he was killed when I was 4 years 8
months old. I visited AIaska with my mother in
1998. We found a helicopter pilot who had been
in the Air Force and Coast Guard who had
actually worked on the island. He knew where the
wreckage was located. What an incredible
blessing that was to put to rest all the
questions we had, since everything was
classified.
If you have any more information about my
father, I would greatly appreciate it.
Brad Alpert
Brad –
Our condolences on the loss of your father so
long ago. We will add his name to our Taps
roster.
Association records for Sumner M. Alpert show he
flew 35 missions as pilot with the 524th
Squadron from July 29 to December 11, 1944.
Records indicate those missions as 176, 177,
178, 182, 184, 185, 186, 188, 189, 192, 197,
199, 200, 201, 202, 207, 208, 211, 212, 213,
219, 221, 222, 223, 226, 227, 229, 230, 231,
232, 241, 242, 244, 246, and 249. Lt. Alpert may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we can document.
Lt. Alpert’s regular crew, likely the one he
trained with, was as follows:
Bailey Jr., Stanley L, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Alpert, Sumner M, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Butler, Leo H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Fenning, William M, Flight Officer, Bombardier
Cates, Harold H, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Plough, William B, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Ingram, John E, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Coles Jr., William J, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Maniaci, Phillip J, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Regarding the 9/28/44 mission, I have no
information to confirm or refute that account,
however, I do see that Lt. Bailey did not fly
again after the 8/24/1944 mission where they
“landed away” (a different field, such as in an
emergency) until 9/25/1944. Is it possible that
the incident you describe, and Lt. Bailey’s
injury, happened on the 8/24/1944 mission
instead?
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
we believe includes Lt. Alpert is being sent
separately. If you have any photos of your
father during his 379th service you’d be willing
to share, we would be grateful for any copies.
Responding4 1/7/2014
Kent
Search No. 1647 - Louis W. Rohr |
From: Zash Maro; zash12349@gmail.com Sent:
Friday, December 27, 2013 2:55 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: louis.w.rohr
I was browsing the web trying to find
information about a Louis W Rohr who was a
united states army air corps pilot in ww2. After
accumulating data i have discovered that he was
a member of the 379th bombardment group. I was
hoping that you would be able to assist me in
gathering any information,photos, and or
documents that you may have on this man. He is a
relative of mine and I would like to learn more
about my family history. thank you
Zash – Association
records for Louis W. (“Rip”) Rohr show he flew
33 missions as pilot from May 29, 1943 to
January 20, 1945. Records indicate those
missions as 1, 4, 7, 11, 12, 16, 27, 32, 38, 41,
44, 52, 66, 69, 72, 94, 100, 109, 126, 130, 140,
145, 158, 162, 201, 204, 216, 228, 240, 251,
257, 267, and 268. Col. Rohr may have flown
additional missions, but these are the ones we
can document.
At the time of the Group’s
first combat mission, St. Nazaire on 29 May
1943, then Major Rohr flew as co-pilot to the
Group CO, Colonel Preston. Crew was as follows:
Preston, Maurice A, Colonel, Pilot Rohr,
Louis W, Major, Co-Pilot Dutch, Andrew K,
Lieutenant, Navigator Brown, Joseph A,
Captain, Bombardier Francis, John J,
Lieutenant, Bombardier Blick, James E, Staff
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Gullace,
Anthony J, Staff Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner
Slagowski, Clyde L, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret
Gunner Schrader, Harold L, Staff Sergeant,
Right Waist Gunner Greeley, Robert E, Staff
Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner Howe, Charles M,
Lieutenant, Tail Gunner-Formation Control
In his tenure with the 379th, Rohr served as
an airplane Commander, typically in a Lead
position, Group Operations Officer, 525th
Squadron CO, and Deputy Group CO. These are the
positions we can currently document – there are
likely others.
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 Col. Rohr is
being sent separately. If you have any photos of
Col. Rohr during his 379th service you’d be
willing to share, we would be grateful for any
copies.
Responding4 1/7/2014 Kent
Search No. 1646 - Kenneth F. Ebner
From:Jill Dove;
jjdove1@gmail.com Sent: Wednesday, December
11, 2013 5:38 PM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Kenneth F. Ebner
Hello, My
name is Kyle and I'm doing a school project on
my great uncle, Kenneth F. Ebner. I know he was
an Air Force radio operator/gunner on a B-17. He
flew in 1945. His plane might have been the
"Miss Liberty." I found him on crew lists on
this website. Could you please provide any more
information for me?
Thank you, Kyle:)
Kyle – Association records for Kenneth F.
Ebner show he flew 32 missions as radio
operator/gunner with the 525th Squadron from
January 2 to April 6, 1945. Records indicate
those missions as 259, 261, 263, 264, 265, 267,
268, 271, 272, 273, 276, 277, 281, 282, 284,
288, 290, 292, 293, 294, 295, 297, 301, 303,
304, 305, 307, 311, 313, 315, 317, and 318. Sgt.
Ebner may have flown additional missions, but
these are the ones we can document.
Sgt.
Ebner’s regular crew, possibly the one he
trained with, was as follows:
Elledge,
George H, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Leeds,
Leonard D, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Freedman,
Robert L, Flight Officer, Navigator
Christian, John P, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Ebner, Kenneth F, Tech Sergeant, Radio
Operator/Gunner Moore, Phillip, Tech
Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Youd,
Ivan M, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Cipriano, James E, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Martin Jr., Francis W, Sergeant, Tail Gunner
Unlike most expectations that a crew was
“assigned” to a specific airplane, combat
airplanes are a shared resource, and crews were
assigned to what was available. In the case of
Sgt. Ebner and the Elledge crew, they flew many
different aircraft assigned to the 525th
Squadron – most that were never named. We cannot
confirm any missions flown in “Miss Liberty”.
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 named aircraft that Sgt. Ebner flew
missions in are being sent separately. If you
have any photos of Sgt. Ebner or his crew you’d
be willing to share, we would be grateful for
any copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014 Kent
Search No. 1645 - Daniel E. Mariott
From: jimmy valente;
jvvalente4@gmail.com Sent: Tuesday, November
19, 2013 7:34 AM To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Dan Mariotti
hello, I'm
looking for info and a photo if possible of my
God Father Dan Mariotti, flew with the 527th.
thx MSG Valente US Army
Jimmy – Association records for Daniel E.
Mariotti show he flew 32 missions as
engineer/gunner with the 527th Squadron from
February 4 to April 24, 1944. Records indicate
those missions as 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 72,
73, 74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87,
88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100,
and 101. Sgt. Mariotti may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we can
document.
Sgt. Mariotti’s regular crew,
possibly the one he trained with, was as
follows:
Stefanski, Edward L, 2nd
Lieutenant, Pilot Kendall, Don V, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Schafer, James R, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator Brasch, Robert L, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier Sprouse, Edwin C, Tech
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Mariotti,
Daniel E, Tech Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner
Scobie, Edward H, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Dye, Earl V, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner
Benjamin, Franklin H, Sergeant, Left Waist
Gunner Hansen, Warren E, 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 Sgt. Mariotti and his
crew is being sent separately. If you have any
photos of Sgt. Mariotti or his crew you’d be
willing to share, we would be grateful for any
copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014 Kent
Search No. 1644 - R V Ball
From: Tommy
Adams; tommy.adams@layne.com Sent: Friday,
November 15, 2013 11:44 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: R V BAll
CO-Pilot "Mary Jo" 379th BG
Fellow
Americans, I regret to inform you that as of
last night R V Ball residing in Clarksville,TN
Passed. During the War R V is listed on your
website as having flown Co-Pilot on the “Mary
Jo”, Ironically the name of his wife of 62 years
who passed in 2009. I was going to list the link
for his obituary but it did not make todays
posting. If there is any more information you
may possible be able to share about this man
that was so respected among his entire community
it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Wings Level, clear sky’s.
TOMMY ADAMS
Tommy – Our
condolences on Lt. Ball’s passing. We will add
his name to our Taps roster.
Association
records for R V Ball show he flew 30 missions as
co-pilot with the 527th Squadron from August 24
to December 18, 1944. Records indicate those
missions as 192, 198, 200, 201, 203, 205, 208,
211, 214, 216, 217, 218, 222, 224, 225, 226,
228, 229, 233, 234, 235, 237, 238, 240, 243,
244, 247, 248, 249, and 250. Lt. Ball may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we can document.
What looks to be
Lt. Ball’s regular crew, possibly the one he
trained with, was as follows:
Randall,
Dale P, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Ball, R V, 2nd
Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Guest, Frank J, 2nd
Lieutenant, Navigator Jourdet Jr., Lon W, 2nd
Lieutenant, Bombardier Harrington, Oliver P,
Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Bergreen, Roy E, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner Park, Tyrus R, Staff Sergeant,
Ball Turret Gunner Johnson, Thomas J, Staff
Sergeant, Waist Gunner Harris, Clarence W,
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 Lt. Ball and
his crew is being sent separately. If you have
any photos of Lt. Ball or his crew you’d be
willing to share, we would be grateful for any
copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014 Kent
Search No. 1643 - Bernard V. Klauka
From: jeffrey standley; jstandley@cinci.rr.com
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2013 7:02 AM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Bernard Klauka
I'm looking for any info you might have on
my Uncle Bernie who I believe was a pilot. Any
info about number or nature of missions would be
of interest. Thanks, Jeff
Jeff – Association records for Bernard V.
Klauka show he flew 30 missions as pilot with
the 526th Squadron from December 30, 1944 to
April 6, 1945. Records indicate those missions
as 256, 257, 258, 261, 262, 264, 268, 270, 272,
273, 276, 281, 283, 286, 287, 290, 298, 300,
302, 304, 305, 307, 308, 311, 313, 314, 317, and
318. Lt. Klauka may have flown additional
missions, but these are the ones we can
document.
What looks to be Lt. Klauka’s
regular crew, possibly the one he trained with,
was as follows:
Klauka, Bernard V,
Lieutenant, Pilot Putyrake, Alex , Flight
Officer, Co-Pilot Van rosendael, William A,
Lieutenant, Navigator Fry, Sheridan ,
Lieutenant, Bombardier Goulart, Joseph E,
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Long, Henry
A, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Harrar, Robert K, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Keaton, Kenneth N, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Walsh, Clayton 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. Sorry,
we have no photo of this crew. If you have any
photos of Lt. Klauka or his crew you’d be
willing to share, we would be grateful for any
copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014 Kent
Search No. 1642 - Alexander P. Mavro
From: David Mavro; dmavro@gmail.com Sent:
Wednesday, November 06, 2013 11:00 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org Subject: Alexander P.
Mavro
Hello-
I am the son of the
late Alexander P. Mavro, who passed away in
1985. Any information and/or photographs of his
crew would be greatly appreciated.
Thank
you for having a website dedicated to this!
David Mavro
David – Association records for Alexander
Mavro show he flew 37 missions as
gunner/toggleer with the 524th Squadron from
October 5, 1944 to March 8, 1945. Records
indicate those missions as 215, 216, 217, 221,
222, 223, 225, 227, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235,
236, 238, 239, 241, 242, 246, 248, 251, 253,
256, 258, 259, 262, 266, 278, 283, 284, 285,
288, 289, 291, 292, 293, and 296. Sgt. Mavro may
have flown additional missions, but these are
the ones we can document.
What looks to
be Sgt Mavro’s regular crew, possibly the one he
trained with, was 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. Sorry,
we have no photo of this crew. If you have any
photos of Sgt. Mavro or his crew you’d be
willing to share, we would be grateful for any
copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014 Kent
Search No. 1641 - Egon Woerle
From: McLaughlin Teaki;
Teakie.McLaughlin@irs.gov Sent: Wednesday,
November 06, 2013 4:19 PM To:
looking4@379thbga.org
I am looking for
more information on my father Egon Woerle. He
was in the 524th.379th He was a sargent and was
a tail gunner on Ol topper?
Teakie
McLaughlin
Teakie – Association records for Egon Woerle
show he flew 32 missions as tail gunner with the
524th Squadron from June 22 to September 25,
1944. Records indicate those missions as 150,
152, 153, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162,
163, 164, 165, 170, 171, 173, 174, 176, 177,
180, 184, 188, 189, 192, 194, 195, 199, 200,
201, 204, 205, and 208. Sgt. Woerle may have
flown additional missions, but these are the
ones we can document.
What looks to be
Sgt Woerle’s regular crew, possibly the one he
trained with, was as follows:
Hawthorne,
Baine A, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot Schofield,
William E, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot Rocklage
Jr., Harry W, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Whealton, Daniel J, Sergeant, Nose
Gunner/Togglier Lilley, Thomas E, Staff
Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner Edwards,
Robert M, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner Rodriquez, Eugene T, Sergeant, Ball
Turret Gunner Wensel Jr., George P, Sergeant,
Waist Gunner Woerle, Egon, Sergeant, Tail
Gunner
As you indicate, Sgt. Woerle flew
many of his missions on a/c 42-40003, “Ol’
Gappy/Topper”. This aircraft had the distinction
of being the champ of all 8th Air Force heavy
bombers, flying an amazing 157 combat missions.
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 this crew is being sent separately. If
you have any photos of Sgt. Woerle or his crew
you’d be willing to share, we would be grateful
for any copies.
Responding4 1/5/2014
Kent
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