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From: Alan E Geisler
[mailto:ageisler3244@sbcglobal.net]
Sent:
Saturday, June 14, 2003 9:27 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: looking for
info on crew of oren maxwell and william
critalic
I was the bombardier-navigator
on the crew of Oren Maxwell. We arrived in
December of 1944 and stayed till the end when I
was tranfered to the 100th. I would appreciate
receiving any information you have regarding our
missions and crew.
Alan Geisler
Alan,
Our records show
that you flew 21 missions as
a Bombardier in the 379th
Bombardment Group 526th Bomb
Squadron from 1/20/45 to
4/07/45. It is possible that
you could have flown on more
missions, but our records
indicate 21 as follows: 268,
270, 272, 273, 276, 277, 278,
283, 285, 286, 287, 289, 290,
291, 293, 294, 298, 299, 300,
301 & 319.
The
following are the crew and
their positions on your 7th
mission to Dresden, Germany
in Aircraft 44-2974.
Maxwell, Oren V, L,t Pilot
Crtalic, William, Lt,
Co-Pilot
Mead, Robert F,
Lt, Navigator
Geisler, Al
F, Lt, Bombardier
Casey,
Francis W, Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Tway,
Irwin D, Sgt, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
Brown,
Raymond P, Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner
Mason, Rex H, Sgt,
Waist Gunner
Collins Jr.,
George, Sgt, Tail Gunner
Oren V. Maxwell and Rex H
Mason are shown on the
current Association roster.
Responding4 06/15/03
Mike
Search No. 1139 - Ralph C Vasey
From: Wendy Vasey
[mailto:wendar0@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2003 6:50 PM
To: looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Looking for my dads crewmates
Dear Sirs, My dad Ralph
C. Vasey died when I was 17 in 1979. He was
T/Sgt Radio operator/gunner in 379th bomb group.
I know one of his planes was the birmingham
Jewel. He flew in the fall of 1944. Any
information you have or anyone who flew with him
please let me know.
Thank You Darryl T Vasey
Darryl,
T/Sgt Ralph C.
Vasey, Radio Operator/Gunner;
was in the 379th Bombardment
Group and flew missions with
the 525th Bomb Squadron from
11/01/44 to 3/02/45. The
following are the crew and
their positions on their 7th
mission to Eschweiler Area,
Germany on 11/16/44 in
aircraft 42-31228 "London
Avenger":
Sawyer,
Robert C, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Einem, Harold E, F/O,
Co-Pilot
Holtz, Carl J,
F/O, Navigator
Sanders,
Haynes V, Sgt, Nose
Gunner/Togglier
Vasey,
Ralph C, Sgt, Radio
Operator/Gunner
Phipps,
Richard F, Sgt, Engineer/Top
Turret Gunner
McDonald,
Lawrence J, Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner
Willey, Donald L,
Sgt, Waist Gunner
McNichols, Bruce A, Sgt, Tail
Gunner
Haynes Sanders
and Richard F. Phipps are
shown on the current
Association roster. Our
records indicate that T/Sgt
Ralph C Vasey flew 34
missions with the 525th Bomb
Squadron. It is possible that
Sgt Vasey flew more mission
but our records only indicate
the ones listed: 229, 230,
232, 234, 235, 236, 238, 239,
241, 242, 243, 246, 247, 249,
250, 252, 258, 259, 262, 263,
264, 267, 268, 271, 272, 273,
276, 277, 280, 281, 282, 288,
290, 292.
T/Sgt Ralph
C. Vasey flew mission on
various aircraft during his
tour of duty, however Four of
A Kind 43-37777 was flown on
10 of his 34 missions.
Responding4@379thbga.org
6/10/03
Mike
Search No. 1138 - B-17 Crash Jan
10th 1945
From: Michael
Güdelhöfer [mailto:mgudelhofer@t-online.de]
Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 3:09 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Research on
Crash of 2 B-17 of 527 BS Jan 10th 1945
I
do research on these two B-17 that crashed in my
home county on Jan 10th 1945. Are there any of
the surviving crewmembers around? It was a mid
air collision of the two planes. I located the
crash sites and now I want to get in contact
with crewmembers or family members to give them
some informations if they like.
379BG/527BS aircraft collision between 43-38237
"Dallas Doll":- Pilot Major DAVIS, 7 KIA 2POW -
MACR 11762, 43-38955 (no known nickname):Pilot
JORDAN, 2KIA 7POW - MACR 11737.
Michael
Gudelhofer
Betzdorf - Germany
Michael,
527th Sq.
Bonn/Hangelar, Germany
(Airdrome) January 10, 1945
mission # 264 aircraft
43-38237 (FO-J ) "DALLAS
DOLL", collided in mid-air
with 43-38955 (FO-O).
Davis Raymond E. -Major,
P, 0-370719, Bountiful, UT,
KIA
Barley Frederick W.
-2nd Lt, CP, 0-778696,
Elizabethtown, PA,
Netherlands H 5 10
Rasmey
Thomas W. -F/O, N, T-129979,
Wellston, OH, KIA
Ellis
William F. Jr. -T/SGT, TT,
34635925, Home, MS, KIA
Ancelet Saul L. -SGT, BT,
38607169, Brady, TX, RTMC
Cox John W. -SGT, WG,
36890098, Highland Park, M,I
Netherlands O 1 17
Estlinbaum Fred E. -SGT, RO,
38538948, Eagle Lake, TX,
Netherlands H 5 2
Reese
Whitney J. -SGT, NG,
38460812, McAllen, TX,
Netherlands N 21 2
Watkins
William J. -SGT, TG, 7027754,
Pikesville, MD, RTMC
527th Sq. 43-38955 (FO-O)
collided in mid-air with
aircraft 43-38237 (FO-J )
"DALLAS DOLL".
Jordan
Leo L. -2nd Lt, P, 0-808851,
Washington, DC, POW
Byers
John F. -2nd Lt, CP,
0-745611, Carey, OK,
Netherlands N 5 3
Baldwin
Robert G. -2nd Lt, N,
0-2068257, Albermarble City,
VA, POW
Damiani Joesph L.
-S/SGT, NG, 32142143,
Rochester, NY, Ardennes C 28
14
Smallidge Kerrane A.
-T/SGT, RO, 36180922,
Lansing, MI, POW
Goberman
Charles A. -T/SGT, TT,
14058434, Wilmington, DE, POW
Chapman Stanton W.
-S/SGT, WG, 18056972, Hondo,
TX, POW
Corbin David E.
-SGT, BT, 36886943, Eaton
Rapids, MI, POW
Tolan
Francis H. -SGT, TG,
33682494, Centerville, PA,
POW
At this time we do
not show any of the surviving
crewmembers on our
Association membership
roster. We would be very
interested in any information
you might have about the
crash site.
Responding4 6/05/03
Mike
Search No. 1137 - Clarence W.
Harris
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From: John E.
Rennels [mailto:plemerand227770MI@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 6:00 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Clarence W.
Harris
I want to thank you for helping me
locate the pilot (E. Scott Welsh) of my Uncle Ty
Park's, plane. I am now trying to locate another
crew member, Clarence W. Harris. Clarence joined
up with my uncle from Royal Oak, Michigan.
Clarence was the Tail Gunner on the plane. I
would appreciate any information you might have
on him. Thanks again for all your prompt help. I
received a wonderful letter from Uncle Ty's
pilot, E. Scott Welsh.
John,
Clarence W, Harris is not listed on the
current 379th BG Association roster. It may be
possible that Clarence is living in Royal Oak,
Michigan or close by. You might try looking for
him on the internet in the Smart Pages.
Responding4 6/05/03
Mike
Search No. 1136 - 1st LT. Vernon
Carlson
From:
Rodney D. Youngquist
[mailto:ILVMYGRNDKIDS@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 25,
2003 12:38 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: 1st LT.
Vernon Carlson, USAAF
Vernon "Pat" Carlson
was from my home town of Holdrege, NE. He was a
neighbor to us on the farm. I also served with
him on church board. Vernon passed away this
spring at age 85 years. He was a B-17 pilot in
the 379 Bomber Group. He told me he flew 35
missions. I would like any information you have
on him. What was his plane's name, etc?
You need to add his
name to the final roster.
Sincerely yours,
Rodney D. Youngquist
Rodney,
Lt Vernon P Carlson, Pilot was in the
379th Bombardment Group and flew missions with
the 524th Bomb Squadron from 8/13/44 to12/27/44.
Our records indicate that Lt Carlson flew 35
missions with the 524th BS as follows:189, 191,
192, 196, 200, 201, 203, 204, 207 aborted, 208,
211, 212, 213, 216, 217, 219, 222, 223, 225,
226, 227, 229, 230, 235, 236, 238, 241, 242,
244, 246, 248, 249, 251, 252 ,253.
Lt
Carlson and crew flew various aircraft
throughout their tour of duty.
Responding4@379thbga.org 5/27/03
Mike
Search No. 1135 - Samuel L. McDaniel
From:
Christian Stock [mailto:3stocks@socket.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 11:46 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: Mission
Information
My grandfather, Samuel L.
McDaniel, was shot down on May 13,1944. He was
in the 379th bomb group, 526th SQ. I would like
any information about his crew and the name of
his plane. My grandfather was a pilot on this
mission when he was shot down and became a POW.
Any information you may have would be deeply
appreciated. Thank you.
Christian Stock
Christian,
Lt.
Samuel L. McDaniel, co-pilot, was in the 379th
bombardment group and flew missions with the
526th Bomb Squadron from 2/20/44 to 5/13/44. The
following are the crew and their positions on
their mission to Berlin, Germany on 5/7/44 in
aircraft 42-39783 "Blues in the Nite" This is
the crew and the aircraft Lt McDaniel flew with
on most of his missions.
Heath, Gilbert
C, Lt, Pilot
McDaniel, Samuel L, Lt, Co-Pilot
Tilton, Neel (NMI), Lt ,Navigator
McAloon
Jr., William J, Lt, Bombardier
Patton,
Malcom W, T/Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Claypool, Warren D, T/Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret
Gunner
Green, John H, S/Sgt, Ball Turret
Gunner
Callendar, Lynn C, S/Sgt, Waist
Gunner
Roberts, Thomas W, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
The following are the crew and their
positions on their last mission to
Stettin/Poznan, Germany on 5/13/44 in aircraft
42-31972 (527th FO-F)"Gamecock".
Wilds
John E. Jr. -1st Lt, P, 0-802814, Columbia, SC,
RTMC
McDaniel Samuel L. (526) -2nd Lt, CP,
0-693803, Boonville, MO, RTMC
Schaeffer James
R. -2nd Lt, N, 0-689663, Plainview, TX, POW
Gerth Virgil J. -1st Lt, B, 0-746574, Cabery,
IL, RTMC
Tucker Gordon E. (526) -T/SGT, RO,
32673040, Buffalo, NY, RTMC
Claypool Warren
D. (526) -T/SGT TT 37215875 Puposky, MN RTMC
Baldwin Charles J. -S/SGT, BT, 15383039, Kokomo,
IN, POW
Corey John (NMI) -S/SGT, WG,
33114597, Whitney, PA, POW
Carl Joseph W.
-S/SGT, TG, 15086732, Covington, KY, RTMC
The aircraft was reported as seen with # 1
engine feathered and on fire. the plane dropped
its bombs early, dropped out of formation and
went down under control, no chutes were seen.
Our records indicate that Lt McDaniel flew
24 missions as follows: 69, 72, 73, 82, 83, 84,
85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100,
101, 102, 105, 109, 111, 113 & 117.
Responding4 5/26/03
Mike
Search No. 1134 - Melvin H. Humphrey
From: Humphrey
Gregory S,
[mailto:gregory.humphrey@mi.ngb.army.mil]
Sent: Monday, May 19, 2003 7:25 AM
To:
'looking4@379thbga.org'
Subject: Mission List
for Melvin H. Humphrey
I'm looking for
the missions my Grandfather was on. The
information is as follows:
2Lt Melvin H.
Humphrey
Co-pilot
527th BS, 379 BG
Thanks,
Gregory S. Humphrey
SFC, MP,
MIARNG
Gregory,
Lt Melvin H Humphrey was in the
379th Bombardment Group and flew missions with
the 527th Bomb Squadron from 5/29/43 to 7/10/43.
The following are the crew and their positions
on their 1st mission to St. Nazaire/ LaPallice,
France on 5/29/43 in aircraft 42-3145 "The
Gremlin":
Wallace,
Milton D, Lt, Pilot
Humphrey, Melvin H, Lt,
Co-Pilot
Freid, Joseph A, Lt, Navigator
Castner, William J, Lt, Bombardier
McColeman,
John R, T/Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner
Marx,
Elmer T, T/Sg,t Top Turret Gunner
Gray,
Walter J, Pvt, Ball Turret Gunner
Katz,
Joseph P, T/Sg,t Right Waist Gunner
Nuss,
Calvin S, T/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner
Fontana,
Anthony J, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
Our records
indicate that Lt Humphrey only flew 5 missions
with the 527th Bomb Squadron as follows: 1, 4,
6, 9, & 10. It is possible that Lt. Humphrey
could have flown more missions, but our records
only indicate the ones listed.
Lt
Humphrey's crewmembers crash-landed and were
killed on the mission to Kassel / Bettenhause,
Germany on 7/30/43 on aircraft 42-3212.
Wallace, Milton D, Lt, Pilot, Killed In Action
Thompson, William H, Lt, Co-Pilot, Killed In
Action
Bartley, Robert S, Lt, Navigator,
Killed In Action
Castner, William J, Lt,
Bombardier, Killed In Action
McColeman, John
R, T/Sgt, Radio Operator/Gunner, Killed In
Action
Marx, Elmer T, T/Sgt, Top Turret
Gunner, Killed In Action
Lehman, Richard D,
S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, Cambridge B4 58
Katz, Joseph P, T/Sgt, Right Waist Gunner,
Killed In Action
Nuss, Calvin S, T/Sgt, Left
Waist Gunner, Killed In Action
Fontana,
Anthony J, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner, Cambridge B3 58
"Enemy fighter opposition was severe and
aggressive from when we crossed the enemy
coastline until we re-crossed it on the return
trip. Our casualties were ten killed, one
wounded, and twenty-two missing. The ten killed,
however, were not the result of direct enemy
opposition but occurred when aircraft 212
crash-landed near Framingham, England. Of the
missing men, twenty were lost with aircraft 746
and 829 and two were lost when they parachuted
from aircraft 820 of the composite group over
Holland".
Responding4 5/26/03
Mike
Search No. 1133 - McFadden
Crew
From: Mario
Schulze [mailto:MSRESchulze@aol.com]
Sent:
Monday, March 10, 2003 6:14 AM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: McFadden-crew
Dear Sirs,
I am very interested in any
information about the McFadden-crew. Especialy
in the events of April 10th 1945 and the fate of
the crew member after their B-17 was shot down
by Me-262's.
Thank you very much for help.
Mario Schulze
AG Fliegerschicksale
Oranienburg
Mario,
The 379th Bombardment Group Mission #
322 was to Oranienburg, Germany on April 10,
1945. The McFadden crew was in aircraft 43-37851
"Goo Goo" 525th BS (FR-O), the aircraft was hit
by Me 262's at the target and believed to have
had the top of it's rudder shot off.
McFadden Henry J. 2nd Lt, P, RTMC
Kattengell Auburn S. 2nd Lt, CP, Ret. to base
Curtis Russell W. 2nd Lt, N, Ret. to base
Hamilton Paul T. SGT, NG, RTMC
Ellard Howell
D. T/SGT, TT, Ret. to base
Ware Donald D
S/SGT, RO, RTMC
Fisher Ernest S. Jr. CPL, BT,
RTMC
Sommer Robert F. S/SGT, WG, RTMC
Blankenship Derwin O. SGT, TG, RTMC
Russell W. Curtis, Derwin O. Blankenship, Howell
(Jim) D. Ellard, Donald D Ware, Steve E Fisher
and Robert F. Sommer are all on the current
Association roster.
Responding4 5/25/03
Mike
Search No. 1132 - William
John Coles Jr.
From: Robert Turk [mailto:rwturk@citlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2003 6:37 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject: William John
Coles Jr.
Sirs:
My Grandfather,
William John Coles Jr., 13108113, Tech Sergeant,
arrived in England on 13 July 1944 and returned
to the U.S. on 27 January 1945. He was in the
379th Bomb Group and the 524th Bomb Squadron and
served as a Radio Operator-Mechanic and waist
gunner (dual 50 caliber machineguns). According
to his discharge papers he received the Air
Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, European African
Middle Eastern Service Medal with silver star
and bronze arrowhead device. The records also
state that he was involved in the following
battles or campaigns: Normandy, Northern France,
Rhineland, and the Ardennes.
Our records
also show that he was shot down and evaded
capture for 21 days before getting back to
England and that he served two combat tours in
the ETO. My grandfather stayed in the Air Force
and retired as a CMSGT in 1974. I really would
like to know how many bombing missions he was a
part of and any information about him being shot
down. He told me that during the war he had my
grandmother's and mother's names painted on the
back of his jacket and also had bombs painted on
the back for each mission. I am in the process
of recreating his World War II flight jacket and
would desperately like to know exactly how many
missions he actually flew on. My grandfather
passed away on December 17, 1997 so I no longer
have first hand information. I would really
appreciate any help that you can give me. I also
have a photo of his crew if you'd be interested
in me sending a copy via an attachment. The
photo has the following information written in
white across the top:
(GM-100-9-379)(19-7-44)(LT.BAILEY)
Thank
you,
Robert Turk
Robert,
S/Sgt William J Coles Jr., Waist
Gunner, was in the 379th Bombardment Group and
flew missions with the 524th Bomb Squadron from
9/13/44 to 1/01/45. Sgt Coles flew various
positions, Nose Togglier, Radio Operator/Gunner,
Waist Gunner etc., but flew most of his missions
in the Waist Gunners position. The following are
the crew and their positions on their 3rd
mission to Frankfort, Germany on 9/25/44 on
aircraft 43-37855 "Boomerangs Big Friend".
Bailey Jr., Stanley L, 2nd Lt, Pilot
Alpert, Sumner M, 2nd Lt, Co-Pilot
Cramer,
Martin G, 2nd Lt, Navigator
Smith, Phillip A,
1st Lt, Bombardier
Gates, Harold H, T/Sgt,
Radio Operator/Gunner
Plough, William B,
T/Sgt, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
Ingram,
John E, S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner
Coles Jr,
William J, S/Sg,t Waist Gunner
Maniaci,
Phillip J, S/Sgt, Tail Gunner
Our records
indicate that S/Sgt William J Coles Jr. flew 26
missions with the 524th Bomb Squadron as
follows: 204, 207, 208, 211, 212, 213, 219, 221,
222, 223, 226, 229, 230, 231, 232, 235, 238,
239, 240, 244, 252, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258.
Thank you for the crew picture, we will add
it to our response on the website.
Responding4 5/21/03
Mike
From: Robert Turk
mailto:rwturk@citlink.net
Sent: Tuesday, June
03, 2003 8:09 PM
Sorry to bother you again
but I have just received the 379th anthology in
the mail and saw that it did not mention my
grandfather. However, we were able to see where
he went on the 26 missions that you have given
us. I was wondering if the association has more
personal detailed mission information such as
the planes flown on, the crew he was with, the
position he occupied on each mission, etc. Also,
according to the records my grandfather left he
stated that he flew 36 missions before returning
home. Therefore, I have been doing some research
and have found a website and it lists two
individuals that I beleive to be my grandfather.
The first is: William J Coles, 379th,
Bombardier, SSGT, RTD
The second is: William
J Coles, Jr, 379th, Nose Gunner/Togglier, SGT,
36 missions
The catch here is that they
will not share the mission information with me
unless I pay $100. So I was wondering if
possibly the 379thBGA might have him listed with
and without the Jr. thereby possibly documenting
36 missions. I saw where the 379thBGA copies
individual mission records for members at the
cost of copying. Well, I am a 2 year member and
I would appreciate receiving these records if
they are different from what is in the anthology
and if they list the information that I spoke
about earlier. I would truly appreciate your
help in clarifying my grandfather's record for
our family. Also, I have other pictures to share
I tried to scan and email them but they took up
too much memory and wouldn't send. I'll try
again however if I am not successful I will
bring them to Salt Lake City in October. Finally
was his group picture ever posted?
Robert
Turk
Robert,
We recently obtained from the
National Archives some loading lists that were
missing from some of our mission reports and his
happened to fall within that timeframe. The
following are the additional missions we found
for S/Sgt William Coles Jr., which brings the
total to 35 missions: 176, 177, 178, 184, 185,
188, 186, 189, 192. This also changes the dates
of the missions he flew(7/29/44 to 1/01/45) with
the 524th Bomb Squadron.
The price list
and order forms to obtain copies of these
mission reports are on the home page of the
website. Note: The mission price lists are
currently being revised to reflect the
additional (pages) information the original
mission reports were missing. Mission reports
vary but are usually 50 pages in length and
include such information as: S2 Summary, B
narrative, Group Lead narratives, Navigators
narratives, Bombardiers narratives, Group
formation report, Personnel loading list &
aircraft numbers, Interrogation reports, Flak
report, Weather report, Aircraft not attacking
report, Damage report & aborts, type bombs used,
length of mission, Eighth Air Force narrative of
operations and more.
Our webmaster
hasn't posted your inquiry on the website yet. I
am sure your picture will be added with the
posting. The Anthology doesn't have information
about the individual missions flown (330) by the
379th BG. The missions reports records consist
of thousands of pages and include official
declassified documents, which are not in the 800
page Anthology.
Responding4 6/04/03
Mike
Search No. 1131 - Eighth AF Stories
E Prince
[mailto:eprince1013@earthlink.net]
Sent:
Sunday, May 18, 2003 10:00 PM
To:
looking4@379thbga.org
Subject:
Here
are a couple of websites I recently stumbled
across and thought you and the other members
might find interesting. The first one belongs to
a former gunner in the 379th and I thought it
was fairly interesting. The second one, although
not about the 379th, was particularly
interesting. It presents a very well documented
view of a Navigator in the 96th BG. It covers
his entire time in the Air Force from initial
entry until he was discharged. I found it to be
a very informative site with lots of solid
historical information on what it was like as an
Eighth Air Force Bomber crewmember during WW II.
Hope you are able to use this information.
http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~josephkennedy/Default.htm
http://www.stelzriede.com/warstory.htm#intro
Sincerely
Eric Prince
Grandson of Neel
Tilton, Navigator, 526th Bomb Squadron
Eric,
Thank you for the information. Hope to
see you in Salt Lake City October 8-12, 2003.
Responding4 5/19/03
Mike
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