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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. 1440 - Charles R Atkinson

From: charles santos, cwsantos@hotmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Cc: charles santos
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 8:40 PM
Subject: looking4 info on Bombardier LT Bombardier Charles reed Atkinson

Hi,

I wonder if you can help our family find out information about my father in law, LT. Charles Reed Atkinson,of Roslindale (Boston) Ma, a B17 bombardier, in the 379th who I am told was shot down on his 30th mission and whose wife, Theresa Flaherty , was notified about this on May 3 1944. He was taken prisoner by the Germans and served out the remainder of the war in at least one Luft Stalag 17 B I think until July of 1945 (Mooseburg). Can you possible find out more information about him for the family?

Thanks,
Charlie Santos (married to the former Patricia Atkinson)

Charlie -
Association records for Charles R Atkinson show he flew 32 missions as bombardier with the 526th Squadron from March 26 to June 16, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99, 100, 103, 105, 107, 109, 111, 113, 115, 118, 119, 124, 126, 133, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 143, and 144. Lt Atkinson may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Lt Atkinson flew most of his missions in two aircraft – 42-37791, “Blues in the Night”, and 42-31648, “Ensign Mary”, which was the aircraft he was in when shot down on June 16, 1944. Crew was as follows:

Mchugh, George (NMI), Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA
Peterson, Edward I, Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, Evaded
Reese, Robert D, Lieutenant, Navigator, POW
Atkinson, Charles H, Lieutenant, Bombardier, POW
Groat, Russell J, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, POW
Tullier, Lester A, Tech Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, KIA
Shaw, Kelly J, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, Evaded
Thompson, George (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Waist Gunner, POW
Little, Bruce S, Staff Sergeant, Tail Gunner, POW

Account of this crash follows: After giving the crew orders to bail out, Lt. McHugh stayed with the plane and managed to prevent it from crashing into the French village of Pontpoint. A memorial was erected in the village and a street named in his honor. The person on whose land “Ensign Mary” crashed established a shrine where he found one of its propellers. This story is told in detail in the 379th’s Anthology, available from the PX.

This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. No photo of “Ensign Mary” is available, but a photo of “Blues in the Night”, the aircraft Lt Atkinson flew for his first several combat missions, is being sent by separate e-mail. Please note that the crew pictured has been identified through one of the crewmen pictured – this is not Lt Atkinson’s crew.

Responding 4 6/18/2009
Kent

Search No. 1439 - William J Loughridge

From: Susan Rogers, susanrogers@bendbroadband.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 3:13 PM
Subject: Looking for

Hi,
I’m looking for information on my father that served as a ball turret gunner in WWII with the 379 Bombardment Group. He flew missions out of England into Germany beginning in Jan. 1945. His name was William John Loughridge. Thank you, Susan Rogers

Susan -
Association records for William J Loughridge show he flew 3 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 16 to April 25, 1945. Our records show mission numbers 326, 328, and 330. Cpl Loughridge may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records. Mission 330 was the last combat mission flown by the 379th Bomb Group.

Cpl Loughridge flew his 3 combat missions in 3 different aircraft – not uncommon, because aircraft were shared resources. Our records show his last combat mission was flown in a/c 44-6507, “Lucky Patch”. A photo of that aircraft is being sent by separate e-mail. Crew was as follows:

Renfrow, Raymond T, Flight Officer, Pilot
Wolpert, Norman E, Flight Officer, Co-Pilot
Thaxton Jr., Robert S, Flight Officer, Navigator
Sistek, Paul S, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Kurschner, John L, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Crim, Robert C, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Loughridge, William J, Corporal, Ball Turret Gunner
Smith, David D, 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.

Responding 4 6/18/2009
Kent

Search No. 1438 - Robert D Fullmer

From: Eric Fullmer, eefullmer5@sbcglobal.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2009 6:21 PM
Subject: Robert D. Fullmer

I came across your website and saw my late father's name name in one of the searches (#1404) and am wondering if you have any other information on his service in the 527th/379th. Search #1404 regarding aircraft 44-6835, Stardust, listed his name on the crew compliment of its first combat mission and was accompanied by a picture of eight members of the crew. Since nine crew members were listed and only eight are shown in the photo, and I cannot positively identify any of them as my father, I must assume he is the "missing" crew member in the photo. (I do not remember my father mentioning the name of his plane or planes.) Anyway, some of the things I have of his indicate he arrived in England in December 1944, which would correspond with the dates of Stardust's missions. I also have what appear to be the orders where he was issued the Air Medal (and subsequent Oak Leaf Clusters, eg, General Orders No. 147, dated 17 February 1945). Anyway, I know very little else about his service and would be very grateful if you have anything in your records you could share with me. His service number was 35624425. Thank you.

Eric Fullmer, son of Robert D. Fullmer.

Eric -
Association records for Robert D Fullmer show he flew 32 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from January 22 to April 15, 1945. Our records show mission numbers 270, 271, 273, 274, 275, 278, 280, 282, 283, 284, 290, 291, 292, 294, 296, 297, 298, 299, 303, 304, 305, 308, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 321, 322, 323, and 325. Sgt Fullmer may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

Among 8th Air Force crew, Sgt Fullmer (and the crew he was part of) were relatively rare they flew the overwhelming majority of their missions in one airplane – a/c 44-6835, “StarDust”. His “regular” crew (likely the one he trained with) 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

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 “StarDust” is being sent by separate e-mail. We can’t confirm the identities of the crewmen pictured – the National Archives copy says that this photo was taken on May 3, 1945, so this could be the Royall Jr crew.

Responding 4 6/18/2009
Kent

Search No. 1437 - Tilghman G. Williams

From: Jim Veal, jveal8916@gmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 6:30 PM
Subject: Sgt. TG Williams

Hello,

I am interested to find any available info regarding my uncle, Sgt. Tilghman G. Williams. My knowledge is that he was assigned to the 527th Squadron of the 379th Heavy Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air force and based in Kimbolton, England. I think he may have been a member of the crew of the "Four of a Kind" but am not positive. He was killed in action and I believe the specific date was July 4, 1944. Thank you in advance.

Jim Veal

Jim -
Association records for Tilghman G Williams show he flew 32 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 9 to June 24, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 93, 94, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, 113, 115, 116, 118, 119, 121, 124, 125, 136, 138, 139, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 149, 150, and 152. Sgt Williams may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

On July 5, 1944, Sgt Williams, having finished his required combat missions, was part of a crew put together to conduct a practice cross-country flight. The aircraft crashed near Andover, killing all 6 crewmen aboard. That crew was as follows:

Sakryd Charles M, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Harter Jack M., 1st Lt, Co-Pilot
Gates Alfred L Jr, F/O, Navigator
Roma Frank J, T/Sgt, Radio Operator
Williams Tilgham G Jr, S/Sgt, Top Turret/Engineer
Hirthler Carl H., S/SGT, Waist

During his combat tour, Sgt Williams’ “regular” crew (likely the one he trained with) was as follows:

Markle, Frederic S, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Sakryd, Charles M, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Sandall, George E, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Hartman, Jack W, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Roma, Frank J, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Hirthler, Carl H, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Ferguson, Henry (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Cruze, Earl T, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Valigosky, Frank C, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner
Williams, Tilghman G, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner

This response will be posted in the "Looking 4" section of our website, in case any members or readers have any additional information. I can find no record of Sgt Williams flying any missions in a/c 43-37777, “Four of a Kind”.

Responding 4 6/18/2009
Kent

Search No. 1436 - Angelo Zonta

From: Christopher Zontaohn, ChristopherZonta@comcast.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 1:52 AM
Subject: flight crew info

Hello, my name is Christopher Zonta and I was looking for more information about my grandfather, Angelo Zonta, who served in the 379th Bomber Group. 527th Bomber Squad. He was stationed at Kimbolton Field Station 117. He flew 37 missions and was located near Bedford England. This all the information I have regarding his service. I am interested in whatever I can find out about him and his tour, especially the name of the aircraft in which he flew in; he was a tail gunner. I want to say their call sign was Heartstring but I could be worng, if that is any help at all. I really appreciate any information regarding this matter and all your time putting into it. I thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

thank you once again,
Christopher Zontaohn

Christopher -
Association records for Angelo Zonta show he flew 37 missions as gunner with the 527th Squadron from July 6 to October 25, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 160, 161, 163, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 179, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 190, 193, 196, 197, 198, 203, 206, 208, 211, 214, 217, 218, 220, 221, 222, 224, and 226. Sgt Zonta may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

As with most 8th Air Force crewmen, Sgt Zonta flew his missions in many different aircraft, which were a shared resource, and usually assigned depending on what was available - especially for new crews. "Snow White"¯, "Lucy"¯, "Red Dragon"¯, and "Julie Mae"¯ are a few of the aircraft in which Sgt Zonta flew one or more missions. His 'regular'¯ crew, and the one he likely trained with, was as follows:

Fowler, William A, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Braun, Marvin C, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Thomas, Hobart F, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Mas, Bruno (NMI), 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Helvie, John R, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Wollaston, Frederick E, Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Russell, William W, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Whitesell, Charles W, Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Zonta, Angelo G, 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 6/15/2009
Kent

Search No. 1435 - Bill M Smith

From: Bill, ebill5@vcn.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 3:56 PM
Subject: Bill M Smith

Sirs,
I am hoping to learn as much as I can about my Grandfather's time in Kimbolton during WWII. I know he served 32 missions from 7-4-44 to 11-9-44. and flew on the 100th mission of Swampfire". He passed away in 1980. Ant information would be appreciated. Thank you and thank the 379th for MY life in the USA!

Bill -
Association records for Bill M Smith show he flew 30 missions as gunner with the 524th Squadron from July 4 to November 9, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 168, 170, 171, 172, 178, 184, 186, 192, 196, 199, 201, 204, 207, 208, 210, 211, 212, 213, 216, 217, 223, 227, 229, 230, and 235. Sgt Smith may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

As with most 8th Air Force crewmen, Sgt Smith flew his missions in a number of different aircraft, including a/c 42-32024, “Swampfire”. A photo of “Swampfire”, dated November 1, 1944, the day Sgt Smith was aboard for that aircraft’s 100th mission, is being sent in a separate e-mail. Crew for that mission was as follows:

Mills Jr., Bruce E, 1st Lieutenant, Pilot
Shedlock, Carl A, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Whitney, James E, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Witzke, Walter R, Staff Sergeant, Nose Gunner/Togglier
Cooper, Joseph T, Tech Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Wright, Walter J, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Boston, James , Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Tresser, Allen A, Tech Sergeant, Waist Gunner
Smith, Bill M, 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 6/15/2009
Kent

Search No. 1434 - Crew of B-17G 42-37888

From: Andy Roberts, andrew.roberts3@homecall.co.uk
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Thursday, April 09, 2009 6:02 AM
Subject: B-17G 42-37888

Hi, I am trying to find out some information on this B-17 and crew. It was from 527th Bombardment Squadron of 379th Bomber Heavy Group based in Kimbolton UK. The crew were

Charles M Sakryd Pilot
Jack M Harter Co-pilot
Alfred Gates Jr Navigator
Frank J Roma Radio Operator
Tilghman Williams Engineer
Carl H Hirthler Gunner

It crashed on 5 July 1944 killing all onboard whilst on a cross country practice flight. The reason I would like this information is it crashed very near to where I live and the exact spot is now a school. I believe it would be of great interest to the pupils studies of World War Two to have some information about this plane and crew, as it happened in their playing field. Anything you could help with would be gratefully received. Many thanks. Andy Roberts.

Andy -
Due to the non-combat status of the crash you have inquired about, there is little information readily available. The information available is as follows:

Eighth Air Force policy required a minimum crew of 5 on any flight of a B-17. This crew would comprise; pilot, co-pilot, navigator, engineer and radio operator. On the day of the crash, an extra crewman was carried, presumably as a passenger. Sakryd, Roma, Williams and Hirtler had flown combat together as part of Lt. Frederick S.Markle’s crew. This crew arrived at Kimbolton in March 1944 and flew their first mission on 9th April 1944. Lt. Sakryd and S/Sgt Williams finished their operational tours on 29th and 22nd June respectively. The history of Lt.Harter and Gates is not known.

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 5/25/2009
Kent

Search No. 1433 - George H Anderson

From: anthony nouens, bulge@hotmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2009 7:17 AM
Subject: WW2/Anderson

Dear Sir, Madam:

Please assist me in regard of the following.

I do research about US servicemen that were killed in WW 2 and are/were buried in the US Military Cemetery in Holland, near where I live.
I am searching information about and in particular a picture from:
George H. Anderson
KIA 30 January 1944, Holland.
His Army service number: O-685357.
He was from Cook County, IL.

In particular I am seeking a picture from him. There may have been some kind of article in a newspaper in 1944 or yearbook.

Any info/help will be welcome.
Can you help?
Thank you in advance,
best regards from Holland,

Antoine -
Association records for George H Anderson show he flew 9 missions as navigator with the 527th Squadron from December 11, 1943 to January 30, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 57, 58, 60, and 62. Lt Anderson may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

On January 30, 1944, the 379th was dispatched to bomb the steel works at Brunswick, Germany. Lt Anderson was the navigator on aircraft 42-31643, which was lost as a result of “enemy fighter action”. Crew of this aircraft, and their disposition, was as follows:

Winter, Donald E, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, KIA
Wiley, Joseph W, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot, KIA
Anderson, George H, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, KIA
Torpey, Edmund J, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, KIA
Kausch, Richard C, Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, KIA
Falis, Alfred P, Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner, KIA
Gardner, George A, Staff Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, KIA
Underwood, James C, Staff Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, KIA
Fitzgearl, John R, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, KIA
Hart, Floyd E, 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. The clippings attached, courtesy of the Chicago Public Library, contain the MIA notice and later obituary for Lt Anderson. They have searched for a yearbook photo without success.

Responding 4 5/25/2009
Kent

Search No. 1432 - Charles T Johns

From: BowersRus, bowersrus@charter.net
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 8:54 AM
Subject: Charles T. " Jim" Johns

I would appreciate any information you can provide on my father, Charles “Jim” Johns, especially his missions, names of his crew, the name of the B-17 he flew in, and the ground crew for the B-17? Dad was stationed at Kimbolten, England, so I am assuming he was part of the 379th. He was a flight engineer and flew 19 missions near the end of the war. The only thing he told us was how he flew the ground crews over Europe to show them what they had helped accomplish. He also talked about flying troops back to the US after the war.

Thank you for your time and research.
Sincerely,
Nancy Bowers

Nancy -
Association records for Charles T Johns show he flew 3 missions as engineer/gunner with the 527th Squadron from April 15 to April 19, 1945. Our records show mission numbers 325, 326, and 328. Sgt Johns may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

You indicate Sgt Johns flying 19 missions – a clear discrepancy from what our records show. Note that our records cover combat missions only, and is the likely resolution to that discrepancy. There were, as you state, a number of non-combat missions where non-flying personnel were given flights over the continent, and the flying personnel who needed “points” to qualify to be sent home were given that opportunity to fly. For his combat missions, Sgt Johns crew was as follows:

Christlieb, Thomas V, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Cole, Robert L, 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, Bernard N, 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 A/C 42-102627, “Queenie”, the aircraft Sgt Johns flew for his 1st combat mission, is being sent in a separate e-mail.

Responding 4 5/25/2009
Kent

Search No.  1431 - Oval Greenmyer

From: Jozie, jozieg@gmail.com
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 5:56 PM
Subject: Oval Greenmyer, The Birmingham Jewell

Greetings,

I am the granddaughter of S/Sgt. Oval Greenmyer, Radio Operator/Gunner on The Birmingham Jewell.
Any information you could provide is greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours,
Jozie Greenmyer

Jozie -
Association records for Oval Greenmyer show he flew 35 missions as radio operator/gunner with the 525th Squadron from March 3 to June 12, 1944. Our records show mission numbers 76, 80, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 102, 111, 115, 116, 119, 120, 126, 127, 128, 130, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, and 141. Sgt Greenmyer may have flown additional missions, but these are the ones we have in our records.

As you indicate, our records show Sgt Greenmyer flying 16 of his 35 missions in a/c 42-97678, “The Birmingham Jewell”. The balance of his missions were spread out over a number of other aircraft in the squadron – a very typical situation for an 8th Air Force bomber crew member. Sgt Greenmyer’s “regular” crew (the crew he started his combat missions with) was as follows:

Smith, Walter W, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot
Brocato, Ralph J, 2nd Lieutenant, Co-Pilot
Ford, Frederick J, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator
Connor, Raymond W, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier
Greenmyer, Oval (NMI), Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner
Anderson, Alvin J, Staff Sergeant, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Bodnar, John J, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner
Falbo, Ernest S, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner
Leedy, Leonard W, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner
Prevost, Joseph L, 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 Birmingham Jewell” is being sent in a separate e-mail.

Responding 4 4/2/2009
Kent

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