303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 255
11 October 1944
Target: Synthetic Oil Plant at Wesseling, Germany (1 & 2 SQ)
Marshalling Yards at Koblenz, Germany (3 & 4 SQ)
Crews Dispatched: 47
Crews Lost: Lt. Lord, 6 KIA, 3 POW; Lt. Price, 9 POW
Length of Mission: 6 hours, 15 minutes
Bomb Load: 6 x 1,000 lb H.E. M43 bombs
Bombing Altitudes: 26,300 & 25,000 ft
Ammo Fired: 2,110 rounds
The 303rd BG(H) aircraft bombed two targets. Twenty-two B-17s of the Nos. 1 and 2 Squadrons dropped 129 1,000-lb. H.E. M43 bombs on the primary target at Wesseling from 26,300 and 25,000 ft. GEE-H equipment was utilized. Although the Squadrons found a break in the clouds at the target, results were unobserved.
Twenty-two Fortresses of the Nos. 3 and 4 Squadrons dropped 118 1,000-lb. bombs on the secondary target at Koblenz, using PFF equipment. There were 10/10 middle clouds with tops at 15,000 to 17,000 ft., and, again, results were unobserved.
Two aircraft turned back: #43-38532 (No Name) 360BS (Lt. Juns) had an engine failure; #42-31830 Marie, 359BS (Lt. Haynes) — with one engine out, the aircraft could not stay with the formation at the IP.
A few German jets were seen, but there were no attacks. Friendly fighter support by 139 P-47s was good.
Intense and extremely accurate flak was encountered near Wesseling, causing 19 instances of major and 10 of minor damage, and wounding 10 crewmen. Chaff had no effect on the anti-aircraft fire.
Aircraft #43-38200 (No Name), 360BS, piloted by 2Lt. Truman R. Lord, received a direct flak hit between its Nos. 1 and 2 engines. It was seen to smoke immediately. It pulled off to the left, went down in a steep dive, and exploded at about 15,000 ft. near Wessling, Germany. Three parachutes were observed at the time that the B-17 exploded. Lt Lord, 2Lt Clifton N. Phillips, 2Lt Arthur F. Ruiz, Sgt. Bernard A. Winiger, Sgt. Earl G. Hatfield, Jr. and Sgt. Armin Weiss were killed in the crash. Lt Ruis, Sgt. Winiger and Sgt. Weiss are buried in The Netherlands at the American Cemetery and Memorial, Margraten, Netherlands. 2Lt. Arvid Anderson, Sgt. Robert H. Brown and Sgt. William H. Ferguson were captured and became POWs.
Pugnacious Peter #42-31739, 358BS, piloted by 1Lt. Ernest C. Price, was on its 85th combat mission. It received a direct hit on one of the outboard engines, setting it on fire. It pulled off to the left, started down, and blew up near Wessling, Germany. No parachutes were seen. Lt. Price, 2Lt. Charles E. Thomas, 2Lt. Leonard S. Patillo, 2Lt. Fred B. Creel, Sgt. William E. Noel, Sgt. Michael T. Postek, Sgt. Raymond L. Cole, Sgt. John F. Reed, and Sgt. Paul R. Bilchak were captured and became Prisoners of war.
LIKE THEY TOLD ME — HOOK UP YOUR CHUTE
2Lt Truman R. Lord Crew
Memories of Lt. Arvid Anderson
On our seventh mission, on October 11, 1944, the fifth to Cologne area, our B-17 was hit directly by anti-aircraft fire. The plane went into a sharp spin and exploded. I was blown out of the nose. The cold air revived me and I pulled my chest type chute which was hooked on one side. As the chute opened, it began to curl and I put my arm in the back of my head to keep it open. I landed in a tree on a farmer’s field. As I came to the ground, I was met by a farmer who took me to Wehrmacht. The farmer spoke English. He had been an American POW in World War I and had been well treated. I was fortunate because I had heard that other Americans had been shot by civilians.
I owe my life also to Major Hobart Steely, Squadron Navigator of the 358th, because he told me to always wear the chute with at least one side hooked because you might not have time to put it on. He was so right.
After being taken into custody, I and other POWs were taken to Frankfurt, where I was interrogated for nine days. The Germans thought I knew something, but I didn’t. They, however, called me a terror flyer and a Chicago gangster, because my home town was Hammond, Indiana next door to Chicago. They apparently had all personal details from newspapers in the U.S.A.
Thereafter, I and others were sent to Stalag III – south compound in Sagan, Germany where I remained until the forced march at the end of January. After 50 kilometers, we were loaded into 40 x 8 foot train cars, 50 men each and transported over three days to Moosburg, to Stalag VII A, where we remained until liberated by General Patton’s army in early May, 1945.
I did not learn until after the war that two other crew members, R. H. Brown, Waist Gunner, and Bill H. Ferguson, Tail Gunner, survived. They were able to crawl out of the severed body of the plane, which had broken apart. I was fairly certain that the other officers and crew members had been killed in the explosion, but the Germans never told me. I lasted the average of seven missions. We went to the Cologne area five times and we were hit by flak five times. The other missions were to Hamburg, which was uneventful, and to Dresden, where I saw my one and only German jet.
RELEASING BOMBS WITH A SCREW DRIVER
Unusual Experiences of T/Sgt Donald E. Vanlier
I was flying with the Lt. Freeman crew on “Bouncing Betty III” 43-38554 (VK-B) on 11 October 1944 and it was a rough mission for us. The target was the Synthetic Oil Plant at Wesseling, Germany. We were flying tail end charley, I think.
As we went over the target, the sky opened up and the flak was very accurate. We lost the two wing men, 2Lt Price and 1Lt Lord. We were hit in the right inboard engine. At the same time, the cable to release the three 1,000 pound General Purpose Bombs on that side was cut.
We were losing altitude fast and it was my job, as radio man, to get those bombs out of the bomb bay, some way or other. So with a screw driver to release the bombs, and a walk around oxygen bottle, I had to lay on my stomach, on the catwalk, and release the lower of the three bombs. Then I had to get back into the radio room, change to a full oxygen bottle and go back in the bomb bay, and release the other two bombs.
We limped home a few hundred feet over the English Channel, on three engines and all alone. As T/Sgt Fleck said, “We really sweated this one out.” Thank God we made it. He has a bomb tag for every mission that we flew.
358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists
B-17G # 43-38442 (No Name)
** 1Lt - McCutcheon, George E. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - McGilvray, Richard L. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Starr, Ben. - NAVIGATOR **
** T/Sgt - Severson, Jack O. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Burcham, Johnnie O. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Foulk, Donald H. - WAIST GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Alexander, John C. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Aberdeen, James E. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Kinsman, George R. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-38238 (No Name)
** 1Lt - Fielder, George H. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Dorsett, John D. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Buckner, James C. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Kruckemeyer, Thomas J. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Cavagnaro, James E. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Pizzolato Jr., Gasper - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Buie, Neil C. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Denning, Glenn J. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Cox, Lyle H. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38554 "Bouncing Betty III"
** 2Lt - Freeman, Clyde E. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Canning, Glenn R. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Goldstein, Sheldon - NAVIGATOR **
** T/Sgt - Splawn, Elzic B. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Fleck, Peter J. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Caporusso, Frank J. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt VanLier, Donald E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Martin, Robert G. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Chesney, Alan D. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
B-17G # 42-102945 "Sweet Pea"
** 2Lt - Grisham Jr., Rufus W. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Cox, William M. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hartel, Gale E. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Celich, Nicholas J. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Scheuermann, Edwin P. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Loessin Jr., Gerhard W. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Post, Harry R. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Buie, Ben M. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Willis, Arnold - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-97298 "The Floose"
** 2Lt - Holm, Maurice M. - PILOT **
** F/O - Fletcher, Harold D. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Howard, Paul A. - NAVIGATOR **
** S/Sgt - Garcia, Robert L. - TOGGELIER **
** Sgt - Compton, M.C. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Huck, Robert L. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Dale, John A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Ebert, Preston P. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Copeland, George E. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38191 "Shasta"
** 1Lt - Paullin, James R. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hinton, William B. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hunt Jr., John W. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Carloss, Earl W. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Johnson, James P. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Biestek, Stanley H. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** T/Sgt - Thomas, Henry T. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Foster, William D. - WAIST GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Butler, Woodley O. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38065 "Princess Pat 2"
** 2Lt - McKinley, Ralph C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Harwick, James A. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Long Jr., Donald C. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Davis, Edward A. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Jones, Burlen - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Devaney, Thomas J. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Moll, Richard S. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Clark, Woodrow E. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Soule, Evan R. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-31739 "Pugnacious Peter CR-L"
** 1Lt - Price, Ernest C. - PILOT (Prisoner Of War (POW)) **
** 2Lt - Thomas, Charles E. - CO-PILOT (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** 2Lt - Patillo, Leonard S. - NAVIGATOR (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** 2Lt - Creel, Fred B. - BOMBARDIER (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** Sgt - Noel, William E. - ENGINEER (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** Sgt - Reed, John F. - WAIST GUNNER (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** Sgt - Postek, Michael T. - RADIO OPERATOR (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** Sgt - Cole, Raymond L. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
** Sgt - Bilchak, Paul R. - TAIL GUNNER (Prisoner Of War(POW)) **
B-17G # 43-38200 (No Name) CR-L
** 2Lt - Lord, Truman R. - PILOT (Killed In Action (K.I.A.)) **
** 2Lt - Phillips, Clifton N. - CO-PILOT (Killed In Action (K.I.A.))
** 2Lt - Anderson, Arvid - NAVIGATOR (Prisoner Of War (POW)) **
** 2Lt - Ruiz, Arthur F. - BOMBARDIER (Killed In Action (K.I.A.)) **
** Sgt - Winiger, Bernard A. - ENGINEER (Killed In Action (K.I.A.)) **
** Sgt - Ferguson, William H. - TAIL GUNNER (Prisoner Of War (POW)) **
** Sgt - Hatfield, Earl G. - RADIO OPERATOR (Killed In Action (K.I.A.)) **
** Sgt - Weiss, Armin - BALL TURRET OPERATOR (Killed In Action (K.I.A.)) **
** Sgt - Brown, Robert H. - WAIST GUNNER (Prisoner Of War (POW)) **
B-17G # 44-8326 (No Name)
** 1Lt - White, Franklin F. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hower, Frederick C. - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Kaufman, Seymour - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Ross, Robert M. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Adams, William J. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Hein, Monroe C. - WAIST GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Vesely, Henry L. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Gilman, Frederick S. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Campbell, James R. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38462 "Teddy's Rough Riders"
** 1Lt - Goering, Werner G. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Rencher, Jack P. - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Markt, Rex H. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Birkenseer, Donald L. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Gustafson, Orall R. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Brodzinski, Chester - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Rowe, Thomas M. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Houseman, Clarence W. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Mahan, Weldon T. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-31574 "Ole George"
** 1Lt - Vermeer, Bernard E. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Byrnes, James H. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Poehlman, Robert F. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Sachau, William D. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Varvil, Willis E. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Schley, John G. - WAIST GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - LaPerch, William J. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Kennedy, Robert F. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Ferris, James H. - BALL TURRET OPERATOR **
B-17G # 42-97557 "Mercy's Madhouse - PFF"
** 1Lt - Johnson, Hugh B. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Seidel, Harry S. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Weber, George P. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Beyeler, Earl R. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Green, George A. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Edwards, Eugene F. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Beck, Harold P. - WAIST GUNNER **
** T/Sgt - Carter, Robert D. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** 2Lt - Judd, Chester G. - TAIL GUNNER **
359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists
B-17G # 43-37537 "Queen of Hearts"
** 1Lt - Akers, Robert O. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Giddings, Leslie W. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Lewtas, Ralph A. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Smith, Ralph L. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Shanker, Herbert - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Meyer, Gerald E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Saam, Donal W. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Martin, Anthony B. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Meyer, Fulton R. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38604 (No Name)
** 1Lt - Gould, Graham C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Lasker, Yale - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Leigh Jr., Thomas W. - NAVIGATOR **
** Sgt - Connor, Joseph C. - TOGGELIER **
** T/Sgt - Mogck, Leonard - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Anderson, Augustus C. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Thompson, Val E. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Gloria, Tony N. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Bandy, Peter C. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38258 "Forget Me Not Olly"
** 1Lt - Davis, Jack T. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Kohnstedt, Donald L. - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Hellesvig, Vernon M. - NAVIGATOR **
** F/O - Guiciardi, Nino L. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Bloom, Dave - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Lewnfield, Rex E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Martin, Richard A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Brown, Marvin W. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Harris, Everette G. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-38050 "Thunderbird"
** 2Lt - Underdown, Sidney L. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Knolle, William C. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Kenny, John P. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Tyree, Joseph C. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Kuwik, John J. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Carman, Nolan W. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Guptill, Walter R. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Stevens, Richard G. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Botton, Pius L. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-6502 (No Name)
** 2Lt - Embrey, Henry C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Sharp, Bryant M. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hewitt, Leroy A. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Mitchell, Robert C. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Miller, Harry C. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Zellar, Donald W. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Duerr, Richard B. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Gavin, William E. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Peters, Arthur R. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-102484 "Heller's Angel"
** 1Lt - Carney, Walter J. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hickey, James A. - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Donovan, James R. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Cooney, Thomas E. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Turner, Harold L. - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Foster, Albert A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Kayrallah, Emil - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Howe, Clarence H. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Encinas, William - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-97944 "Daddy's Delight"
** 1Lt - Virag, Andy R. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Beeman, Richard - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Durkin, James A. - NAVIGATOR **
** T/Sgt - Cappucci, Joseph R. - TOGGELIER **
** S/Sgt - Jeter Jr., James E. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Vrabel, Cyril A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Gurka Jr., Stanley - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Bowman, John H. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Allerton, Jack R. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-31830 "Marie"
** 2Lt - Haynes, Charles D. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - McClurg, Galt L. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Beder, Harrison K. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Dando, Charles A. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Sherrill, Elliotte W. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Deen, Oscar A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Freese, Paul D. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Hrych, Robert C. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Ipsen, Allen L. - TAIL GUNNER **
(Abortive Sortie)
B-17G # 43-38609 (No Name)
** 2Lt - Frazier, Eugene C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Campbell, Laurie H. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Goettman, Andrew T. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Barlow, Richard B. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Borges, Gilbert C. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Trainor, Donald W. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Charron, Raymond H. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - McCullough Jr., Luther - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Anderson, Eston R. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-97781 "The '8' Ball MK III"
** 1Lt - Jenkins, Harry F. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Blanchard, Samuel B. - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Nute, Gordon B. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Reynolds, Ralph J. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Lainson, Colin C. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Loosemore, Wesley G. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Fydrychowski, John J. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Cregan, John M. - Tail GUNNER **
** Sgt - Allen, Charles G. - Waist GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38289 "Sweet LaRhonda"
** 1Lt - Lorentz, Arthur - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Scott, Robert H. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Smith, William A. - NAVIGATOR **
** Sgt - Clubine, Frederick D. - TOGGELIER **
** Sgt - Kreager, Jon B. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Lawson, Lucien P. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Cpl - Ingalls, Earl F. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Greenwald, Paul L. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Gonser, Dwight W. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-8256 "Yankee Girl - PFF"
** 1Lt - Cunningham, Robert L. - PILOT **
** Maj - Kerwin, Charles E. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Hammond, Raymond D. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Lifshus, Lawrence - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Scheibman, Herman B. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Gauthier, Leon C. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Ringen, Walter E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Zielinski, William J. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** 2Lt - Ward, Duane G. - TAIL GUNNER **
360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists
B-17G # 44-6517 "Old Cock"
** 1Lt - Butler, Milton C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Lovell, Brook H. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Rudolph, Gabriel - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Hackler, Maurice G. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Bird, Harry G. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Christ, Donald R. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Miller, Donald E. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Johnson Jr., David T. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Odegaard, Duane J. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-97861 "Iza Vailable III"
** 2Lt - McCutchan, Eugene R. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Schuchard, Virgil R. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Conard, Willard G. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Fetzko, John - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Kress, Richard H. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Frey, Alan E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Scott, Howard E. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Wherry, Robert E. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Pearson, George D. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-102544 "Sack Time"
** 1Lt - Nafius, Verner H. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Smith, Richard L. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Orenstein, Harold A. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Duros, Constentine J. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Ellis, Richard R. - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Fegette, Iva L. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Jinkens, Billy B. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Rydquist, Roy K. - WAIST GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - McGinley, James E. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-6516 "My Darling"
** 1Lt - Baehr, Kenneth C. - PILOT **
** Maj - Slingsby, Harold G. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Conklin, James M. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Smith, William H. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Keipper, Carl E. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Decker, Bruce O. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** T/Sgt - Ploeger, Jesse - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Hudson, Ward A. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Baldwin, Kenton F. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-31055 "Aloha"
** 2Lt - Gravrock, Howard C. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Losiewicz, Benjamin - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Klanian, Charles S. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Downey, Francis G. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Levine, Raymond - ENGINEER **
** T/Sgt - Engleman, George B. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Relford, Robert R. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Hensel, Phillip W. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Elliott, John C. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-6504 (No Name)
** 2Lt - Kallet, Sidney - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Muth, Clifford F. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - McCarty, Mike D. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Harrison, Lewis S. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Lewis, William J. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Clarke, Frank W. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Macy, Edward J. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Terreri, Joseph - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Killelea, Raymond J. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-8137 (No Name) - PFF
** 1Lt - Kuykendall, Roger L. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Norris, Loy R. - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Mundell, William K. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Charlton, Rufus S. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Cummins, James E. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Evans, Harry D. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Boone, Everett D. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Barton, Forrest E. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** 2Lt - Lovold, Ole - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Alexander, John P. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38451 (No Name)
** 1Lt - Foley, Norment - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Rowe, Robert A. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Littlefield, Robert I. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Woodbury, Benton R. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Snell, Edward A. - ENGINEER **
** S/Sgt - Johnson, Vernelle V. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Stewart, Charles R. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Waltmire Jr., Harrel A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Price, Kirkland T. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38532 (No Name)
** 1Lt - Juns, Frank - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Beasley, Roland C. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Harding, Warren G. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Thomas, Edward H. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Leroux, Lyle W. - ENGINEER **
** Sgt - Wimer, Maurice H. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Oberly, Eldridge C. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Cpl - Englis, Hiram E. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Cpl - Branin, James J. - WAIST GUNNER **
(Abortive)
427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists
B-17G # 43-37597 "Earthquake McGoon"
** 2Lt - Van Antwerp, Robert G. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Rose, Jack W. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Morrison, Martin - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Nazarian, John K. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Dyson, Flake S. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Brinkley, Lynn M. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Harper, Hiram C. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - McCall, Lamar H. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Cottle Jr., Clyde J. - WAIST GUNNER **
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B-17G # 43-38705 (No Name)
** 1Lt - Eisenwinter, Philip - D. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Waggoner, Richard C. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Norman, Frederick J. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Campbell, Robert C. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Simone, S.P. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Veljkov, Paul - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** T/Sgt - Islava, Joseph O. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Grossman, Howard A. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Sutton, Marvin A. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-97311 "Shoo Shoo Baby"
** 2Lt - O'Leary, James W. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Reed, Louis E. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Kacere, Michael J. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Lyda, Robert E. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Kernodle, John T. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Czerwonka, Joseph A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - DeVaney, Bernard C. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Carver, Harold R. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - DeCicco Jr., Frank C. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-102411 "Miss Lace"
** 2Lt - Gano, Frederick - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Flanders, Wesley J. - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Maniscalco, John B. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Blessing, Gerald D. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Anthony, George E. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Coyle, Arthur J. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Longo, Angelo L. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Nelson, Edward F. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Clare, Donald T. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-37666 "Full House"
** 1Lt - Brown Jr., Tracy D. - PILOT **
** 1Lt - Lawrenson, George C. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Emmet, John P. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Olson, William E. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Duffek, Francis T. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Born, Robert S. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** T/Sgt - Bridge, Howard R. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Blim, Raymond C. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Fisher, Clelland F. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38197 (No Name)
** 2Lt - Davis, Robert W. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Sayre, Dorwin D. - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Martin, Walter E. - NAVIGATOR **
** F/O - Bryan, Fred W. - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Hiibner, Okey L. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Johnson, Charles H. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Pope, Lester L. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Henry, Donivan D. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Smirnes Jr., E. "Nick" - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 42-107099 "Old 99"
** 2Lt - Ackerman Jr., Stewart S. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Barrios, Alfred R. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Dubois, Benjamin - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Oswald Jr., Alois G. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Creaghan, Robert E. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Highfill, Thomas W. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Ribesky Jr., John V. - RADIO OPRATOR **
** Sgt - Wiencek, Edward J. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Proper, George M. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38248 "Jigger rooche II"
** 1Lt - Dubose Jr., Carl L. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Bean, John R. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Jenkins, John I. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Bober, Stanley - BOMBARDIER **
** S/Sgt - Jones Jr., Jesse T. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Kidd, Robert E. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Kollmar, Donald L. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Watson, Byron W. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Balint Jr. Daniel. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38621 "50 Ragged"
** 1Lt - Cureton Jr., Peter F. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Smith, Donald R. - CO-PILOT **
** 1Lt - Rusk, Donald M. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Lewis Jr., Willard L. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Willison, Warren - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Burford, Joseph A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Ellis, James A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Bourlier, Donald W. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Celichowski, Ervin M. - TAIL GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-31060 "Poque Ma Hone"
** 1Lt - Roberts, Ingersall J. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Bluethenthal, Arthur - CO-PILOT **
** F/O - Clark, Floyd L. - NAVIGATOR **
** F/O - Long, Lloyd I. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Carlson, Harold A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Riveland, Alf - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Renzi, Frank - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Barber, Albert P. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - Campbell, Gerald R. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 44-8038 (No Name) - PFF
** 1Lt - Flowers, Selwyn D. - PILOT **
** 1Lt - Healy, Richard F. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Katz, Edwin Harold - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Tollack, Howard V. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Desmond, MacChesney - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Ulrich, Carl L. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Kiely, Joseph P. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - McCormick, Lewis J. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Kopriva, Charles P. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** 2Lt - Harris, John R. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Howell, Charles E. - WAIST GUNNER **
** Sgt - Skinner, Donald E. - PHOTOGRAPHER **
B-17G # 44-6166 "The Red"
** 1Lt - Bliss, Robert P. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Morrow, John E. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Spooner, Ramon L. - NAVIGATOR **
** 1Lt - Webster, Charles M. - BOMBARDIER **
** T/Sgt - Shumar, Carl K. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Eakins Jr., Charles A. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** T/Sgt - Herman, Benjamin - RADIO OPERATOR **
** S/Sgt - Plesinger, Michael J. - TAIL GUNNER **
** S/Sgt - Curry, Richard L. - WAIST GUNNER **
B-17G # 43-38057 (No Name)
** 2Lt - Reid, Clair P. - PILOT **
** 2Lt - Droll, Louis P. - CO-PILOT **
** 2Lt - Rogge, Richard W. - NAVIGATOR **
** 2Lt - Natoli, Sam J. - BOMBARDIER **
** Sgt - Arnott, David H. - TOP TURRET OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Casciola, Benedict L. - BALL TURRET GUNNER **
** Sgt - Elling, Myron A. - RADIO OPERATOR **
** Sgt - Lowe, Joseph W. - TAIL GUNNER **
** Sgt - McArdle, John H. - WAIST GUNNER **
Mission Report - Mission 255 303rd Bomb Group.
Truman R. Lord, O-768605. - © 2009 Stichting Missing In Action (MIA).
