Bomb Group 394th
Bomb Squad 586th
Navigator 1034
Active 1942 to 1945
From Fort Worth , Texas
My Dad died when I was 10, so I never got to hear much of his service. Decorations: Ribbon with 4 battle stars, Purple Heart, Silver Star, Air Medal, Two silver Oak Clusters to Air Medal, Campaign Medal, and Victory Medal. Would love to hear from someone that knew him. Thank you. TC
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Bomb Group: 387
Bomb Squadron: 558
Comments: 1 Lt. William D. Mullinix was my Uncle and was shot down over the North Sea Feb. 25, 1944. I would like any information about him and also I would like to get in contact with family members of the crew that was lost. The plane was named "Jessie."
Thanks and God Bless!
John B. Mullinix
4 aircraft lost from the 387Bomb Group on Feb. 25, 1944
44-02-25 B-26 41-31648 387 NORTH SEA MACR 2331
44-02-25 B-26 41-32013 387 NORTH SEA MACR 2332
44-02-25 B-26 41-31671 387 NORTH SEA MACR 2333
44-02-25 B-26 41-31660 387 NORTH SEA MACR 2334
Don Enlow
394th Bomb Group
584th Bomb Squadron
3 years service
Radio Communications School – 1943 – Chanute Field , Illinois .
Sadly, I wanted to inform you that my father passed away this weekend. His service is Wednesday in Indianapolis with military honors. I will add to the site our pictures as we are proud of our father’s role in WW II. It’s sad to see another WW II veteran leave us, especially when it’s my dad.
Alan Anderson
I have not had much luck finding any info on wolf pack II either. Anything would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bob Gatrell
41-34704 “Diarrhea” got its “Unusual” name while it was being flown over to England from the US in the spring of 1943. They took the Southern Route and while passing through one of the bases in South America the crew picked up a stomach bug that caused them great intestinal distress all the way to England. Hence the name planes name became “Diarrhea”
Roy Bozych
Historian 323rd BG
Korea, Stateside 1954 to 1956
SAC 1956 to 1963 B-47s
AWS 1963 to 1969 WB-47s
TAC 1970 to 1971 14 SOW Air Commandos, Vietnam
SAC 1972 to 1976 B-52s
I had the honor to know and fly with Frank M. Remmele, L/C Retired, Pilot, 449th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group many times while stationed with the 54th Weather Recon Squadron on Guam in 1963 and 1964. That would be with the Typhoon Chasers.
I got to know and admire this man. He was big and had a booming voice and he was kind and considerate. And I can tell you, he could fly one hellava fine airplane. At the time we were all ex SAC pilots flying the WB-47 for air weather service.
My reason for writing is some time ago I ran across a short article about Frank and how he brought home a heavily damaged B-26 (in the UK?) and saved the day, and as hard as I try, I can't relocate this story
I wonder if you folks are aware of this tale. If at all possible I could use a direction to steer in order to get some more information on this feat of daring do for my personal records. I consider my friendship with this man to be vital to my personal story and history.
If you can help, I am indebted. JFW
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
I thank you for your prompt reply to my inquiry. That is the article that I recalled reading several years ago. As a bonus you included a picture of the rudder damage. I'm afraid that I don't have the foto that Richard A Whittle is looking for. Is that Whittle related to Sir Frank Whittle of jet engine fame? I do include a foto taken in late 1963 at Anderson AFB, Guam. Where Frank Remmele, yours truly, and WO Ramagos were awarded the USAF Commendation Medal by Lt. Col. Eugene C. Wernette.... I don't remember why.... Thanks again guys.... Memories!
Since this goes into the 2009 B26 guest book of your very impressive B26 website, I am typing double-fast here on Christmas Day before the New Year arrives, to send you top Holiday Wishes, and the appreciation of all surviving Mauraudermen and friends.
Since you asked those signing in to fill out basic info, here goes:
Marauderman's Name: Philip R. Scheier
Bomb Group: 323rd Bomb Group
Bomb Squadron: 456th Bomb Squadron
Years in service: Some 3 1/2 years
Graduation Class: ?
Class Location: ?
Comments: Must tell you your professionally-maintained B26 website is a model setup. The roster of hyperlinked names opens up to a wealth of further detailed information. You guys are the greatest. Or have I told you that before?
Going thru the list of names, the various messages etc., is a rejuvenating experience.
With more and more of our buddies just fading away, my email, phone and mail links are being depleted. I remain in touch via phone with a long-time squadron mate, Ken Brown. He, like myself, was a radio op-gunner on our favorite plane, the B26. After my 50th mission out of England, in early May 1944, flying out of Earls Colne England, I, along with others with the same totals, were ordered/directed to get the heck home to the Zone of the Interior for a 30-day R&R. Just missed the actual invasion. By the time I returned, my base had been moved to the south of England in Beaulieu, with our next move to a base in Lessay, France. Brown, for some reason, did not return to England, but instead was sent to the Pacific, to China. He flew a heck of a long time over the hump in those C47 transports. And finally, he returned home.
Here, I live on the West Coast, a transplant from the Boston area, and retired after many years editing and writing for newspapers also in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. My big passions these days is mastering the latest computer operating systems, such as the new Windows 7, and polishing my skills dictating to my computer and seeing my words print out. Until a few years ago, I was a volunteer teacher at a SeniorNet Computer Learning Center, and also edited our monthly online newsletter.
Wondering if there are other 456th Bomb Squadron guys around online, offline, or whatever. Would be great to hear from them. For the record, up to some six or so years ago, perhaps longer, we did have a 456th Squadron Association meeting annually in various parts of the country. But--sadly--we have disbanded as member just faded away.
I am planning to continue my breathing exercises and survival skills to mark my 95th birthday this summer, thanks to daily brisk walking sessions, aided by my jet-propelled four-wheel walker.
Again, all the best to you!
PHIL SCHEIER,
Giles Brown
Giles Brown, your father Loren Brown is listed as belonging to 572nd Bomb Squadron maintenance personnel. Photo and name list are located at 391st BG website; go to Pictures-> People-> 572nd Ground Crew + 572nd Ground Crew Names. 391st BG was at Matching (England) from January 26th 1944 until September 1944.
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannesse
Bomb Group: 323rd
Bomb Squadron: ?
Years in service: 1944-45 Med./ETO
Graduation Class: ?
Class: ?
Location: Texas (I think)
Comments: This was my father (now deceased), DFC, Bronze Star, AM 12 Oak leaf clusters (I think). If anyone remembers him or has any information please contact his son, Mike Groom. Thank you.
Captain Michael F. Groom was with 455th BS. Attached two photo scans of 41-34726 YU-C "Dragon Wagon". The crew photo has text on it's back saying "somewhere in England February 1944". On a mission February 15th 1944, "Dragon Wagon", flown by 1st Lt. Michael F. Groom, was damaged so badly that the aircrew bailed out near Gravesend.
From Left to right
Lt. R. E. Felt, Nebraska
Lt. Parker S Miller, Alabama
S/Sgt. Gordon R. Craig, Florida.
T/Sgt. John Piper, Mississippi
S/Sgt. Fred O Wootten, Ohio
T/Sgt. R. K. Ottutt, Indiana
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Mr. Ives was born in Baltimore and raised in a rowhouse in the 2800 block of N. Calvert St. He was a graduate of Polytechnic Institute, where he played lacrosse and football.
After studying mechanical engineering at Cornell University, Mr. Ives enlisted as a private in the Maryland National Guard 29th Infantry Division, 175th Regiment in 1935.
After being commissioned a lieutenant in 1940, Mr. Ives was assigned to the 175th Regiment, then commanded by his brother, Dudley Ives.
Mr. Ives decided to transfer out of the 29th Division in 1942 and enrolled at flight school at Randolph Field in Texas. He took additional aviation training at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Okla., and final flight training at Kelly Field in Texas.
In 1943, Mr. Ives commanded the 556th Bombardment Squadron, 387th Bombardment Group, composed of B-26s, which he escorted from MacDill Field in Tampa, Fla., across the Atlantic to Chipping Ongar, England. [Read more]
The Story of the Crusaders: The 386th Bomb Group (M) in World War II by Barnett B. Young ISBN: 0962161713
Mary, added here a scan of page 99. Also added a color version of the 2nd B&W crew photo of 41-31612 "Mr. Five by Five" YA-Z on Joseph Ross-page, which had completed over 75 missions by July 1944. Standing from left: Joe Ross (B/N), Lewis Schrecengost (CP), Bob Sands (P), George Waite (E), Frank Ostek (G). Kneeling from left: unknown, unknown, Edward Pitts (R).
large
pdf |
jpgBest regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Thank you,
Greg Herr
Greg, your grandfather 2nd Lt. Walter H. Hedstrom is buried at Epinal Cemetery in France. Grave location is A-31-55 (Plot, Row, Grave). He was with 344th BG 496th BS. 344th BG was also named "Silver Streaks". On March 28th 1945 two B-26 Marauders 42-95974 N3-S, Pilot 2nd. Lt. Walter H. Hedstrom and 42-95861, Pilot 2nd. Lt. Arthur M. Williamson, were involved in a mid-air collision over Cormeilles-en-Vexin (A-59) in France, the 344th BG base at that time. There are accident reports available for both aircraft, you will find the websites for getting these reports if you Google the aircraft serials. Unfortunately, the 344th BG history book does not mention these accidents, as far as I can see. The mission list in the book have no mission listed for March 28th 1945, but the text says mission #240 to Neuenhersee Oil Depot in Germany, the mission list have this for March 29th. A third 496th BS Marauder Man, 2nd. Lt. John R. Gersting is also buried at Epinal Cemetery, date of death March 28th 1945.
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Lindsey gave his life to help defeat the Nazis by staying at the controls of a flaming bomber, giving the rest of the crew a chance to parachute to safety.
After his death, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for military bravery. He is the only person from Fort Dodge to receive that medal and the only Marauder Man to receive the MOH.
Now three local men are trying to ensure that current and future Fort Dodge Senior High School students learn of Lindsey's sacrifice.
Bob Brown, Roger Natte and Dr. Terry Moehnke are raising money to pay for a bronze plaque they want to place in the high school at 819 N. 25th St., Fort Dodge, IA.
Moehnke said about $1,700 is needed. He said they hope to place the plaque in the school next spring. [Click here for more details]
Noon Sertoma Club
Attn: Darrell R. Lindsey Plaque Fund
25 S. 16th St.,
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Robert Thomas
IX Bomber Command
99 Bomb Wing
344 Bombardment Group
495 Bombardment Squadron
Lead Plane D-Day Mission
6 June 1944
Mary Jo
B-26-B50-MA
42-95876
Salute to the crew: John Robert Leach, Jens A. Norgaard, Robert W. Witty, James P. Parish, Louis Offenberg, Kenneth L. Hobbs, Jules S. Theobald, Loris D. Gniffke, Ivan H. Peterman, and John C. Wilder, crew chief.
Thank you so much for this website.
Sincerely,
Karl Wayne Leach
1. As a B-26 pilot, he and his crew were on their first overseas flight from the United States. On the hop to South America, the radio beacon for the air base was turned off, and they lost their way. They had to land on the beach and wrecked to the plane. After returning to the U.S., they picked up a new plane and resumed the journey.
2. Eventually getting overseas with the 9th Air Force, his plane was shot down by an ME-109 over North Africa on his fourth mission. The crew split into two parties on the ground. His party was captured by a German patrol, but they over powered the guards and escaped. The other party was never heard from again. This story was told in "Flak Bait".
3. Since he had been a POW (briefly) and escaped, he earned a reassignment back in the U.S., where he became an instructor pilot in B-26s. When the based received B-25s for training, he asked his commander for a check-out ride to become qualified as a B-25 pilot and instructor. His commander told him to get the pilot's manual and check himself out, which he did.
4. George later served in the Korean War, and retired from the USAF as a LCol or Col. I am not sure which, but he was referred to as "Col Ogburn" when I worked with him. I worked with him when he was a federal employee after he retired from the USAF.
He passed away in the late 1980s or early 1990s. At that time he had retired from the Federal Government for several years and I lost contact with him.
Later I became interested in the Cuban Bay of Pigs Invasion. I ran across reference to an instructor who trained A-26 pilots for the CIA as part of the invasion force. The A-26 instructor was referred to as "a mysterious instructor known only as George". I wondered if he was "George". Obviously, that's a long shot. I later found out that the A-26 was used extensively by the CIA in the Congo and Indonesia.
The information I outlined above is sketchy, and might not be correct in some areas. The reason I am writing is that I was interested in finding out more about George Ogburn. I have been unable to find his obituary.
As a side note, my Father was with the 301st Bomb Group (H), 353 Bomb Squadron, during World War II. The 301st flew B-17s. My Father was in communications and cryptography in the HQ and did not fly as a crew member. As a result I have had a lifelong interest in World War II aircraft, especially B-17s and P-51s. I served two years in the U.S. Army as a draftee in the 1969 to 1970 time frame with a tour in Vietnam (1970).
I came across your website today for the first time, and looked for his name. If anyone can provide additional information on George Ogburn, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Bart W. Bartram
Bart, here are more details about your former colleague George Ogburn. The story you mention from the book "Flak Bait" by Devon Francis is on page 77. The book is available. George Ogburn served with 12th Air Force, 17th BG, 432nd BS, based at Telergma, Algeria. He enlisted in November 1941. Full name is George H. Ogburn, Jr. He was Pilot on 41-17642 on a mission to Oued El Akarit R/R Bridge 16 miles N/NW of Gabès, Tunisia, on January 15th 1943. They bombed from 7000 feet. Due to aircraft damage he had to make a forced landing in enemy territory. 2nd Lt. Ogburn was part of the original 17th BG echelon. His original Marauder, 41-17907, ditched en route North of Natal (see attached photo). 54 B-26 Marauders of 17th BG left Morrison Field, Florida, on the morning of 18th November 1942. You might know that the Douglas A-26 Invader was renamed to B-26 in the late 40-ties.
largeBest regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Donald A. Cote
New Sweden, Maine
Lorraine American Cemetery
Nulsey, Erskine L., Plot K Row 27 Grave 4. Co-Pilot, from Oklahoma
Payne, John B., POW, Stalag Luft I (Barth) Alive and well. Flew first five missions in B-17s, 381st BG, 555th BS then transferred to B-26s and flew four missions. "I was real upset being transferred. I hadn't done anything wrong. But everything worked fine. I'm still here. I'm the only one left from my original B-17 crew, they only had to fly 35 missions and I am the only one left from my B-26 crew, we would have had to fly 65 missions before we could go home. I was shot down, went to the hospital and then Stalag Luft. I got a letter from Lauren L Cowallis's mother and I had to write her back to tell her that I did not know what happened to her son. At the time, we didn't know what had happened to him. I was a tail-gunner when we got shot and we started to spin. I was in the tail. The plane eventually broke in half. I had to reach around me, grab the parachute and snap it on. It was the old English type. John Dragan was the waist gunner and he froze at the window on the side. He was in front of me so I had to push him out. Then I jump out and pulled the cord and it would not open. I had to pull the chute out by hand. I made it and so did Dragan. We kept in touch until he died in the late 1950s. I did not know Winsor, Nulsey or Miller were buried in Belgium and France."
Dragan, John, POW, Waist gunner
I hope I am not upsetting anybody by my following enquiry.
I am trying to piece together and write about the history from its beginnings in the 14 Centaury until the present time, of my family home where I spent some of the War years. It is East Court Farm/ Manor in Gillingham Kent. Probably the most momentous time in its long history were the War years.
One of its saddest moments was the involvement with the tragedy that took place on 6th June 1944, over head - the mid air collision of 2 B26 Marauder Aircraft killing all the crews. Much wreckage fell into the orchard and garden of the Farm. Although I had moved away my uncle still lived there at that time and showed me some of the wreckage. I was only 8 years old but I have never forgotten.
I rather felt that I would rather like to add a little more information to my story of East Court if that would be possible. I would like to know where the Airmen were buried. I will, if possible, take photos to send on to relatives. I have one of the farm if anyone would like one.
Yours faithfully,
Ann Brooke
42-96050 587th Bomb Squadron collided with 42-96263 587th Bomb Squadron over Gillingham, Kent. 050 crashed into a house in Gillingham killing all of the crew.263 crashed into an orchard at East Court Farm, Gillingham killing the entire crew.
42-96050 crew:
1.Lt's Witcher T Burger; Warren D Rodgers; S/Sgt's Edward H Monaghan; George S Knight; Sgt Alfred M Zussa and Cpl Forrest W Paffenberg
42-96263 crew:
2.Lts Claude W Kline, Jr; Emil F Ostrowsky; S/Sgt's Raymond F Sablatura; Joseph Amato; Sgt's Boris R Selinsky; James F Bechtler.
In a separate collision 42-107592 of the 584th Bomb Squadron collided with 42-96249 587th Bomb Squadron over Battle, Sussex, both crashing in the same vicinity.
42-107592 crew:
1.Lt's Tommie J Potts, Jr, Christian Burger;2.Lt Leroy A Dyer; S/Sgt's James M Long; George K Kyle; George W Williams, only the pilot Potts survived.
42-96249 crew:
2.Lt's Thomas S Jenkins; Walter S Winter; S/Sgt's William C Hoeb; Ralph D Parker; Sgt's George S Rogers; Edward F Bailey killing the entire crew.
Trevor Allen, Historian
Kyle, George J.; T Sgt.; 584 BS, 394 BG; Cambridge American Cemetery
Bailey Edward F.; Sgt.; 587 BS, 394 BG; Missing In Action
Kline Claude W Jr.; 2 Lt.; 587 BS, 394 BG; Cambridge American Cemetery
Monaghan Edward H.; S Sgt.; 587 BS, 394 BG; Cambridge American Cemetery
Parker Ralph D Jr.; S Sgt.; 587 BS, 394 BG; Missing In Action
Rodgers Warren D.; 1 Lt.; 587 BS, 394 BG; Cambridge American Cemetery
Rogers George S.; Sgt; 587 BS, 394 BG; Missing In Action
My wife’s uncle, 1Lt Robert C. Botsford, was a b26 pilot in the 449th Bombardment Squadron, he died 4 July 1944. I am researching his service. I came across this memorial to the 322 Bomb group at Andrews Field, Essex and found a small boulder with the name "?? ny Caruso, Brooklyn, New York, April 24, 1943" chiseled on it. I wondered if Caruso was part of the 322 Bomb group's aircrew or engineers?
Thank you for sacrifice for our country.
Jeff Sears
[image]
[pdf]He was a navigator in 24 Squadron SAAF in North Africa and Italy.
Nick Collins
Bomb Group: 22nd
Bomb Squadron: 19th
Years in service: ‘1940-1947’, flying from Townsend to bomb Rabul and then through Luzon to Okinawa. Later short Korean War assignment with Weather balloon development in Dayton and Minneapolis and then further Reserve training in 50’s and 60’s in Dayton Ohio and Tallahassee, FL
Graduation Class: Navigator; 1941
Class Location: Tampa or Miami
Comments: My father was a Captain in WW2. He is 93 and has forgotten many details, but wants to track down the story of an award he received. This was mailed to him some 10 years ago and included many names. His understanding is that he was on a ‘deceptive bombing mission’ on 5 Aug 1945 while Hiroshima was getting their nuclear bombing. All was classified and they did not know of the other missions until much later. On that day they bombed an area away from Hiroshima to show ‘normal operations’ to the enemy and then returned to Okinawa to refuel. They were excluded from a specific prime ramp area. They later watched a B-29 come in. It was roped off by many MP’s. It may have been Enola Gay after it’s successful mission.
Can any one tell me about this ‘deceptive mission’ and any operation awards that may have followed later?
Dad later went on to duties on the Japanese mainland. He was Recovery Squadron commander in Dayton Ohio around 1962 and then moved to Tallahassee FL where he finished his USAF reserve assignment in a headquarters unit.
I have his early DD 214s but not his final DD 214 for the retirement period of mid 60’s and final retirement at 62 in 1977.
Gilbert Wright
USAPAT
Mission Planner
I am trying to obtain the aircraft numbers that, at the time, 1ST LT. Alfred Freiburger had been assigned to when he was serving with the 344th Bomb Gp. (M), Sta 169. I had met him when I worked for the Orange County Sheriff's Department (CA) (1986-2004).
At the time, he was a Reserve Deputy assigned to the AERO RESERVE (DEPUTY) UNIT (as I understood it, all members of that unit had to be licensed pilots and have their own private aircraft). I was also a Reserve Deputy (assigned to the ADMIN UNIT). All Reserve Deputies are volunteer and are required to donate at least 16 hrs a month to the Department beyond the mandatory meetings and training sessions.
I also held a paid position with the department as the Range Clerk, with the responsibilities of signing in the deputies qualifying with their weapons and inputting their quals into the range computer. When I knew Alfred, he had retired from the Air Force and at the time of his retirement, held the rank of LT. Colonel. Additionally, he had also had been a Test Pilot for the Douglas Aircraft Company (`1965) and when it merged with McDonnell to become McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft, in testing the DC-9 and later the DC-10.
I retired from the Sheriff's Department in the Fall of 2004 and was told that Alfred had passed away. In all my conversations with him, about his exploits he had in the Army Air Corp, the U.S. Air Force and as a Test Pilot, one point I forgot to ask him was the numbers of the various B-26's he had flown.
I recently purchased a model of a B-26 and would like to put a number of that model, when I get it built to honor my friend Lt. Colonel Alfred Freiburger (Retired) and Reserve Deputy with the County of Orange CA.
Respectfully Yours
John W Goerger
Thank you ,
Kevin Embrey
Youngest son of ED EMBREY
My grandfather was James V Roy Jr. with the 394BG, 587BS. This is in reference to a post I saw from 4/4/2003. I know that was a while ago. It mentioned that Theodore E Kabula was lost in a plane possibly called “purgatory” that was not his regular plane. I know my grandfather was assigned to “Belle of Pergatoy” (misspelled on the plane) . The plane was lost with a substitute crew while he was on leave. This may be the same plane. I have some info from my grandfather that I will have to dig out. It may include plane numbers. My grandfather was later assigned as a pilot to “Redlight Rosie” . I will have to check for the numbers on that plane as well. I always wondered what happened to “Rosie” (as he called it).
I have information in the form of an unpublished book “Memories of a Wingman” that documents much of my grandfather’s war time experiences. I would like to share it with you, but I must check with the rest of the family to make sure there is no opposition. I don’t expect any. My grandfather has passed, but was big on preserving warplane history.
I hope this information helps somehow. Hopefully there will be more to come.
R. Benz
Bomb Group: 323
Bomb Squadron: 453
Comments: Bud was my father. I did not know much about his wartime service when he was alive other than he was a pilot who flew B-26's in the ETO. Recently I reviewed his wartime flight log and learned he flew with the 323 BG, 453 SQ. I logged on to B26.com to see if I could learn more about the 323/453 and read about the B-26 named Truman's Folly. When scanning his wartime photos I noticed this photo of my father standing next to Truman's Folly. Bud is the man in the middle. The photo suggests he flew the 'Folly' at least once. In his log book he notes aircraft flown by 3 digit numbers. Don't know what these numbers are but believe these 3 digits may be the last 3 digits on the tail number. Another photo of the 'Folly' I saw shows it had tail number 41-31983. In his log he has one entry for aircraft numbered 983, on 11/10/44 to Aachen, with the remark "Iced up front."
Another photo in his collection may be rare in that it shows what appears to be a Me-262 making an attack on a B-26 formation during a bomb run. The fighter is in the lower left. When you zoom in on the fighter it seems to show the end on profile of a Me-262 with nose pitched down slightly (judging from the location of the horizontal stabilizers in the profile). If it is a 262 I suspect this photo is rare as probably there were not too many photos of attacking 262's taken from bombers.
I would be interested in any comments, remarks, and information on any of the above. I can send you larger images but do not know the names of anyone in the photos except for Bud. It would be nice if you made a dedication page. I'll work on the photos and send them to you. Look and see what you might like to use on your site. I have many more that I have not scanned yet, with more people, views of camp life on the bases in the ETO, sight seeing trips, and, of course, more plane pix. I can also scan pages from his flight log book. It outlines his training flights and includes his combat sorties in the ETO. Some of his remarks are interesting. Let me know if you would like more. I have sent you some more photos from the collection Bud Hildebrand's wartime photos. Many of the photos are oddly cropped, perhaps he had made some sort of collage of his photos at one time. Most are small prints and many not in very good condition. The photos in this set show people and camp life in, I believe, France during the winter of 44-45 - certainly an important time and place in the history of the 323 BG. Also guys sight seeing in Paris and relaxing on the beach. I hope you will find something of value in these photos.
Darcy Hildebrand
He graduated from bombardier school in 1943 and from what I could tell, he spent time in England, Belgium and Germany (after the war).
His name: John "Jack" O'Donnell
Rank: Lieutenant
Hometown: Philadelphia PA
Let me know if you would need additional information. I have his dog tags and can pull info from them if needed and I also have his yearbook from bombardier school.
Let me know if you could help me. I'd love to upload a bunch of photos I have that he took during his tour for your website.
Thank you,
Jack O'Donnell
Whenever he tried to relate a war story he would break down, remembering the crew members coming back from Germany whom he had to pull from the planes; men with broken bones, missing limbs, or worse.
My sister and I are now trying to learn about my father's service in WWII. We know he served in England, France and possibly Ireland. Our family wishes to trace the wartime journey of the 30th. Can anyone offer info?
Thank all for their sacrifice and service.
-John Liverseidge, Jr.
P.S. Yes, we've been through the routine with National Personnel Records Center..."fire. etc."
John Eaton
Wynn Anderson
Son of Andy Anderson
Things the research room told me:
1. don't give up, it completely depends on who picks up your request
2. ask that they copy every page in the file
3. a letter is better than submitting the request on-line
Start here
Best regards,
Michiele Cavuoti
If you have any information or photo's of my Uncle, please respond and let me know.
Paul Rinkel
Respectfully,
Mick Malaney, Grandson
Lt. Col. "Mal" Nunneley
Lester McAlister, Charles Delaney U.F. Troxclair, G.C. Reynolds, Harold Bellar, Joe Bellucci, Ray Hatcher, Ben Guberman, Ray Holston, Albert Larson, Al Schaf, Robert Ramsey, Leander Adkins, Rene Chauvin, Lionardo Molina, Alphonso Stango, Conway Stone, Clarence Zinn, Wallace Mullins
My dad is alive and well and would like to contact anybody that he served with. He figured at 80+, he may be the only one left. Someone out there please prove him wrong.
My dad was in bomb disposal and has a few stories to tell. His job was to fuse and defuse bombs, booby-trap bombs and load the B-26's. My favorite story is one day he and one of the guys were working on a bomb when a command car drove by and nobody saluted. The next day, an order went out that everyone must salute when the command vehicle came by. About a week later, the command vehicle came by and my dad was working on a 1000 lb. bomb on a crane along with one of the other guys. Just as the command vehicle came by, the other guy hit the release on the crane and the bomb (defused of course) bounced in front of the command car as my dad and his co-worker snapped to attention to salute. The command vehicle sped away in a panic. The next day, a new order came down that men in the bomb dump do not have to salute the command car.
An honor for a member of “The Greatest Generation”!
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 3:00PM, George R. Vidusic, was among 4 others receiving the French Legion Medal of Honor at the John Dingell Veterans Administration Hospital. The ceremony was conducted by The Honorable Jean-Baptiste MAIN de BOISSIERE; Consul General of France in Chicago.
George R. Vidusic was born June 9, 1924 in Bad Axe, MI and served his country from March 1943 until November 1945. He was a member of the 9th Air Force, 386th Bomb Group “The Crusaders” 552nd Bomb Squadron.
Ralph Vidusic
He sent my mother beautifully illustrated love letters. I have attached an article from the local papers with a picture of an envelope of his and the caption: "Observing black-out rules to the letter, Pvt. John Franzen, 24, sends "black out letters" like the one shown above to Miss Lynn Beckman. He is an airplane mechanic stationed at Ft. Myers, Fla. "Please contact me.
Thank you.
Karen Monaghan (Franzen)
Bomb Group: 584th
Bomb Squadron: 394th
Years in service: 1943-45 (1952 res.)
Graduation Class: 43C-8/15-44
Class Location: Springfield, Missouri; Denver, Colorado; Ft. Myers, Florida
Comments: Hello, I came across Donald L. Spencer's memoir "WW II - Missions, Letters, Notes and Remembrances" by complete chance when browsing the internet. His 296 page book is published on The Library of Congress Veteran's History Project website (posted May 29, 2007), at this link http://tinyurl.com/donald-l-spencer-memoir
His memoirs are quite extensive, containing his training experiences, letters to and from family members throughout the period 1943-45, mission reports from The Stars and Stripes, as well as many interesting photographs and diagrams.
I tried Googling Mr. Spencer on the b26.com website, and was not able to find a reference to him. I therefore thought I would make you aware of the link to his memoirs, since they are extensive and very interesting.
I hope this is helpful and that you can put the link to good use on your wonderful website honoring B26 pilots and crews.
Best regards,
Tomas Vitek
Thanks very much on behalf of the members of the 38th Bomb Group Association.
Tom Behrens
"Queenie" from 70th Bomb Squadron
[Large]Bomb Squadron: 24 Squadron South African Air Force (SAAF)
Years in service: 1943 to 1945
Comments I recently was given Pilot D.L. Maker's log book relating his operations on Marauders with 24 Squadron S.A.A.F in Italy from April 1944 to 23 March 1945. In his first entry as 1st Pilot he records his crew as follows:
Obs Lt Paradise
Wop W.O. Montague
T/g W.O. Hickson
Tail gunner Sgt. Gubbins R.A.F
On 2nd July 1944 he records "Raid on harbour & shipping Pesara, Italy - aircraft u/s due to flack and on fire - made belly landing Fermo LG -- Navigator broke leg -- self & tail gunner scratched & shaken -- landed in hospital. A/c write off."
If anybody knew Pilot D.L. Maker or any of his above crew I'm sure they would be interested .
Regards
Paul Krige
Cape Town
South Africa
I am currently working on a book about him and his best friend from the raid, Tom Griffin, who also served in the 319th in Africa and was eventually shot down, to spend the rest of the war, hosted by the Germans in Stalag Luft III.
I notice that, over the years, a number of people have written to you who served (or whose parents served) in North Africa in the 319th - such as Russell E. McClintock. I'd also like to be able to contact others, such as Joe Donato, who was in the 17th and overlapped Dick Miller's time in North Africa. I'd very much appreciate it if you could put me in touch with them. I'd also very much like to correspond directly with you all, to ask you some questions. For instance, I just found out that Justice Brennan -- before he was on the Supreme Court, of course-- had served time in North Africa in the 319th intelligence division, and wonder if you know whether he wrote about his time in North Africa. I am in touch with Esther Oyster, who has been a great help.
Looking forward to your reply. And many thanks for all your great work on the site.
All best,
Suzanne Charle'
New York, NY
| Julia Motley Magruder Died on Sept 23, 2009, of the AF Falcon’s Landing Retirement Community in Sterling, Virginia. She was born in Tuskegee, Alabama on Oct 6, 1916. She graduated and was voted “most popular” from Miami H.S. class of 1933. Attended U of Alabama where she met Peyton Magruder. They married in Miami, FL in 1935. A couple years in Philly, then on to Baltimore, MD where Peyton worked for the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Co. He won the design for the B-26 Marauder medium-bomber and then managed the building of over 5,700 aircraft with the lowest combat loss rate in WW II. Julia supported him in those efforts and was also busy having three boys in four years, each of whom attended service academies. The family relocated to Coral Gables, FL, where she lived for 45 yrs, during which Julia was Executive Assistant to CEO George Wackenhut until her retirement, after which she moved to VA to live at Falcons Landing. She is survived by her sons Peyton Marshall, Jr. (retired Navy) and wife Lucy, residents of Tubac, AZ, Robert Bruce “Bob” (retired Army) and wife Angie, residents of Reston, VA, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her youngest son, Douglas Graham, is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, having lost his life in Vietnam in 1968. Julia will be buried with him. Those wishing to attend Julia’s grave-side burial on 22 Oct. please meet in the Arlington Cemetery Admin Bldg by 9:15 AM, service to begin at 10 AM, with reception following at the Women’s Nat’l Memorial. |
Best regards,
Alf Egil Johannessen
Norway
The ceremony yesterday went very well. The National Cemetery staff was very helpful, and the VFW Honor Guard did an exemplary job. The French were represented by Nathalie Bonnard, a warm compassionate lady from the French Embassy in Los Angeles. She did the official hand over, and read special letters from Christian Dieppedalle and the Commander of the Bricy air base. The event was emotional and uplifting for everyone. I had to be the MC because the assistant cemetery director was sick with the flu. But I did the best I could. Some newspapers and a local NBC affiliate were there, too.
Here is a link to the television news story that was broadcast last night: TV News Story. The station did a fine job and the video plays well.
Thank you, my friends.
Paul E. Rose
HARVARD -- "My role here was small yet definitely humbling," said Keith Cheveralls of Harvard.
Yet Cheveralls' promise to his uncle in England helped bring closure for the family of an American World War II pilot killed on D-Day. Ian Cheveralls enlisted his nephew to help find relatives of victims of a midair collision he witnessed on one of the most significant days in history -- June 6, 1944.
D-DAY
It was the first mission of the day for the 394th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Force (AAF), stationed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) airfield at Boreham. Flying B-26 Marauder aircraft, the self-named "Bridge Busters" flew attacks on bridges in Nazi-occupied France and the Low Countries.
On D-Day, Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches of occupied France to turn the tide against the Nazi stranglehold on Western Europe. On that day, the group's task was to bomb gun positions at Varreville on France's northwest coast.
Flying above Battle, England, a bomber piloted by Lt. Tommie Potts lost control and collided with another bomber. Potts ejected, but his five-man crew died aboard the plane in an effort to jettison its bombs.
No one survived the crash of the other plane, piloted by 2nd Lt. Thomas Jenkins. With no survivors to interview, no reasons were stated for the crash of Jenkins' plane in the official AAF accident report.
Roy Bozych
323rd BG Historian
large
largeBy MICHAEL E. YOUNG / The Dallas Morning News
10:29 PM CDT on Saturday, September 26, 2009
The 50 years it spent in the ground show plainly enough in the scuffs and scratches on its silver surface.
But for Horace Bryce Rose, few things could be more precious than this old ID bracelet. It bears the name and service number of his older brother, Paul E. Rose, who left Dallas to join the Army Air Forces and wore the bracelet on his final mission on Oct. 8, 1944. [Read more]
I recently saw your posting in the www.b26.com guest book and hope that you have made contact with some of your buddies from the 323rd. I'd just like to make you aware that there is a 323 BG / 454 BS association reunion at Colorado Springs from October 7th to October 10th. Full details of this reunion are available on their website at http://www.323bg454bs.org/, as well as other information and photographs of past reunions. If you can't get to the reunion, then I hope you will be able to get in touch with some of your friends and colleagues via this web site.
I live in Rayleigh, Essex, England and I'm fascinated by all things relating to the people, places, and aircraft of WW2. My special interest is the B26, the USAAF, and their bases in Essex. I visited Earls Colne earlier this year, and although much of the base been converted into an industrial estate, there is an impressive memorial to the 323rd and other groups who were stationed at Earls Colne. There's also a flying club operating from a grass strip alongside the old east-west runway - the club house has many photographs on the walls of the men and machines of the 323rd. You can take look at a satellite picture of the base using Google maps if you wish.
If you have any wartime photographs that you can get "scanned" into a computer, or if you have any recollections or memoirs that you would like to share, then I'm sure the folks at www.b26.com would appreciate them. Some of my favorite memoirs, which I hope may be of interest, are:
The Flying Wedge by Ernie Pyle, a war correspondent who visited Earls Colne, Chester Klier's page, who has a very detailed description of all the missions that he flew, Harvey Jacobs' memoirs.
www.b26.com is a fantastic site containing lots of information. I've spent very many hours on this site, and there's many other sites of interest on the web too !
There's some great wartime movie footage of the B26 on a British web site (contact site for details), which I believe is of the 323rd. There's more B26 related footage on this site, which you can search for. If you'd like to let me know of any particular aircraft that you remember, I'd be glad to try and find if there's any pictures or information on the web.
Could you please tell me which aircraft you flew in and if there any people or aircraft you remember in particular ?
If I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
Yours Sincerely,
Steve Sharp
Does anyone have any information on William "Bill" H. Teel, my wife's cousin?
Thanks, John Lohman
- Derek Ellertson
Woodrow Ebersold Jr.
large
large
large
large
large
[large]
[large]
[1]
[2]
large
image
large
image
large
image
large
large
large
large image
large image
