575th BOMB SQUADRON
ROLE: ARMORER GUNNER
INDIVIDUAL & NON-INDIVIDUAL CREW MEMBERS
Assigned | ||||||||
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Squadron | Crew | Year | Month | Role | Name | Rank | Serial | |
575 | 575021 | 44 | 9 | AG | Alakel, Robert N. | S/Sgt. | 31083774 | |
SOURCE: SO-121, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 11. 13 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575108 | 43 | 2 | AG | Alexander, Lloyd V. | S/SGT. | 35330756 | |
SOURCE: Accident Report, 41-35068. 9 Sep 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Friendly fire [shoot down] in the vicinity of Lebanon, TN. Stalnaker was pilot of a B-26 C21 airplane 41-35068 on the afternoon of September 9, 1943. He was flying the lead ship of a formation on a low altitude maneuver with TA800. While on a bombing run a land mine was exploded directly ahead causing damage to above mention airplane. In no way was the pilot responsible for the damage done to the airplane. Damage sustained to the airplane: left propellor cuff was bent, left wing dented, de-icer boot torn, small holes in fabric on left aileron, dents in left wing and left horizontal stabilizer, trailing edge of left elevator bent and torn, and two holes in left elevator. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 2 | AG | Alexander, Lloyd V. | Sgt. | 35330756 | |
SOURCE: SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, FLA, Par. 2. 7 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575117 | 43 | 2 | AG | Alexander, Lloyd V. | S/Sgt. | 35330756 | |
SOURCE: MACR 06649, 42-95821. 8 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Nantes RR Bridge, France. Stalnaker was leading the first box. During the bomb run the formation encountered heavy and accurate FLAK. Stalnaker was hit in both engines and his right engine started smoking. He continued the bomb run even though he was losing altitude. After the formation had dropped its bombs, he broke left and feathered his right engine. Mitchell flying in No.2 position took over the lead and called Stalnaker (who seemed calm) to say he was trying to get him fighter escort. Witnesses in the second box saw Stalnaker's aircraft flying alongside for a while until it stalled and crashed 5 mile NW of Chateaubriant. All crew bailed out and survived. The report seems to show that only Alexander was captured and the rest returned to duty. | ||||||||
575 | 575102 | 43 | 2 | TG | Armstrong, Sterling D. | 15104653 | ||
SOURCE: Accident Report, 41-18149. 13 May 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Mid-air collision at Osprey Bmb Rng Nr Osprey, FL. 575BS History (Reel A0644 page 1204) states that after avoiding another aircraft on a low-level bombing run, Olfson scraped through the branches of the only large tree on the bombing range. The plexiglass in the bombardier's compartment was shattered but F/O Murphy was uninjured. The plane also suffered damage to the leading edge of the right wing between the fuselage and nacelle. Tail gunner Armstrong called the pilot over the interphone and said "Hey Ollie, I think we just hit a tree", to which Ollie replied "No Kiddin"! The plane returned to the airfield, though it carried branches and leaves from stem to stern. | ||||||||
575 | 575044 | 43 | 2 | AG | Armstrong, Sterling D. | Sgt. | 15104653 | |
SOURCE: SO-345, Hqs, AAB Godman Field, KY, Par. 1. 24 Dec 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: At the 1996 reunion, Jim Newton supplied Lanford and Armstrong's names and corrected his serial number, which I had managed to garble. He also indicated that Jim Clark, who flew over with Mitchell, became their navigator. Armstrong's particulars come from SO-7, 391BG, 2/7/43. On 05/28/44 flak damaged hydraulics (42-95852); belly landed at base. Olfson flew over in 42-95847, Scrumptious. | ||||||||
575 | 575115 | X | Baggett, Richard L. | 2/Lt. | O763030 | |||
575 | 575115 | 43 | 2 | X | Schwisow, Melvin | Cpl. | 17031322 | |
SOURCE: Accident Report, 42-95832. 4 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Crashed on take off engine failure at Matching/3mi S Sta 166. On 4 July 1944, Donald D. O'Hare, O-735810, 1st Lt A.C., having properly checked his aircraft B-26B50 MA, AF No. 42-95832, took off on a local training mission with a seven man crew and ten (10) one hundred pound bomb load. Just as the aircraft was becoming airborne the left engine failed completely. The right propeller fluctuated considerably. The aircraft never attained enough air speed to insure retaining control and holding altitude. The pilot picked a grain field and made a belly landing. The landing was beautifully executed on a slight upslope. The soft dirt tore off the lower segments of each engine cowling, the wheel nacelle doors, the bombay doors, the keel beam of the bombay and part of the skin of under the fuselage. The aircraft slid straight up the slope for approximately 150-200 yards. At that time it went across a ditch approximately six (6) feet wide and four (4) feet deep. The shock even at slow speed swung the aircraft to the right, tore off the left engine, and set the aircraft afire. In the swing to the right the fuselage rode over the torn off left engine, tearing out the rear bombay and breaking the fuselage in two. The crew evacuated the airplane through the copilot's and navigator's hatch. The pilot's hatch was jammed. One enlisted man was in the tail. He was removed by the copilot and the engineer-gunner. The aircraft had checked out on the preflight but on previous flights had been criticized for lack of power. The crash was caused by 100% material failure, complete left engine failure and probable failure of the right propeller, cause undetermined. There are no recommendations. NOTE: See Reel A0644 page 1264 for an account of the crash. O'Hare stated that, after feathering the left engine, full rudder trim was not sufficient and that he made a gentle turn to the left to avoid the radar towers at North Weald airfield. He also stated that the bombardier and radio man suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns; the enlisted bombardier (Schwisow) suffered a broken arm, head injuries and and 1st and 2nd degree burns; the rest of the crew suffered minor 1st degree burns; and that he had minor lacerations of the jaw. | ||||||||
575 | 575103 | 43 | 2 | AG | Baker, Billy W. | S/Sgt. | 37207800 | |
SOURCE: Accident Report, 41-31747. 6 Jun 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Landing accident at Myrtle Beach, SC. Pilot was landing ship upon completion of night mission about 0003 EWT, June 6, 1940. Upon landing, left main gear buckled, due to not being fully extended and locked. In the opinion of this committee the pilot was careless in that he did not avail himself of the checks provided to positively assure himself that the landing gear was down and locked. Further, the pilot landed the airplane after being assured that only one main wheels was down, and before being assured the left wheel was also down, other then glancing at the wheel indicator, which after check showed the left main gear not to be fully extended. After further investigation, it was disclosed that the locking pin had not been actuated for the left main gear. RECOMMENDATIONS: That steps be taken by local authorities to insure the compliance, by pilots, with all procedures outlined for landing, and further, pilots be impressed with the serious results possible by a few moments inattention or carelessness. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 2 | AG | Baker, Billy W. | Sgt. | 37207800 | |
SOURCE: SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, FLA, Par. 2. 7 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575113 | 43 | AG | Bates, Calvin L. | S/Sgt. | 19049133 | ||
SOURCE: Accident Report, 42-95805. 23 May 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Landing accident at Matching/Sta 166. At about 1050 on the morning of 23 May 1944, B-26B50MA, 42-95805 made a normal approach for a landing on runway 03. The plane touched down fast almost on three points and according to testimony of occupants of the plane, almost immediately tended to swerve to the right. About 4 seconds (300 yards) after touching down both main wheels were locked, the left very slightly before the right as evidenced by the tyre marks on the runway. These marks continue to the point where the plane left the runway about 700 yards further along and show by their breadth that the right tire blew out about 100 yards before the left which burst shortly before the plane left the runway. Upon leaving the runway, the plane skidding on the soft shoulder, was shorn of the left main gear which raked the left side of the fuselage and allowed the left the nacelle, propeller, and wing to be damaged. Post-crash examination of both wheels showed no sign of binding or heating within the brakes; both wheels were free to turn. The brake valves were inspected and found satisfactory and the lines were clear except for a minimum of hydraulic fluid in the airlines. The air bottle had not been pulled. The brakes had been adjusted within the squadron only the day before. The evidence shows that after landing the plane had tended to swerve to the right which condition the pilot attempted to compensate first by rudder, then by normal use of the left brake and application of power to the right engine, the wheels changed almost instantaneously from a condition of freewheeling to one of complete lock, and that the brakes were locked at a point unreasonably far from the end of the runway and under conditions that refute any contention that the pilot held the brakes depressed thereby causing the accident. With the evidence presented, this board finds itself unable to fairly affix the responsibility in the case of this accident. There are no recommendations. | ||||||||
575 | 575043 | 43 | AG | Bates, Calvin L. | S/Sgt. | 19049133 | ||
SOURCE: SO-345, Hqs, AAB Godman Field, KY, Par. 1. 24 Dec 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Someone at the 1996 reunion supplied Bates's name; his particulars come from SO-7, Hqs 391 BG, 2/7/43. A pilot, 1Lt Thomas H. Brown, 0664959, flew overseas with this crew according to the referenced order. They flew over in 42-95808, Idiot's Delight. | ||||||||
575 | 575041 | 45 | 2 | AG | Beneda, Robert H. | Cpl. | 16138685 | |
SOURCE: SO-23, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 10 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 2 | AG | Bidwell, Leo J. | S/Sgt. | 38185929 | |
SOURCE: SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, FLA, Par. 2. 7 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575003 | 44 | 9 | AG | Boyd, Stewart J. | Cpl. | 12175937 | |
SOURCE: SO-248, Hqs, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 1. 14 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575026 | 44 | 9 | AG | Brady, Vance H. | S/Sgt. | 36514571 | |
SOURCE: SO-121, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 12. 13 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: At the 1996 reunion, Vance Brady supplied the following information: the airplane name (The Grinning Gremlin), but not the number, and that Lt Crisp was injured in a ground accident and was replaced by "Doc" Bogart. From the Ahrweiler taxi sheet, the number is given as 855-R. The entire number almost surely is 42-95855, opcode O8-R. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 2 | AG | Brice, Charles O. | S/Sgt. | 34122115 | |
SOURCE: SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, FLA, Par. 2. 7 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 2 | w.tg | Burgess, Glen E. | S/Sgt. | 31317799 | |
SOURCE: MACR 05689, 42-95848. 7 Jun 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Tail Gunner - low flight, no.3. NB Role assumed to be AG. | ||||||||
575 | 575004 | 44 | AG | Burns, Joe | S/Sgt. | 36853886 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Breeseman and Kelly's names come from the Ahrweiler mission taxi sheet. They apparently returned safely. The other names were supplied by an anonymous contributor at the 1996 reunion, who also wrote that Maj. Harkins (Ops Officer) flew with Breeseman on this missison. Presumably, Curtis did not go. There is an AG named Joseph Burns on Brooks crew in the 575th, but this must be a different J. Burns, as Brooks's crew did not arrive until January, 1945. Dupuy, of Fagan's crew, was Breeseman's bombardier on the 22 Mar 45 mission. Particulars come from Dave Garnham's database. ADDENDUM: Kelley's and Gifford's forenames, ranks, and serial numbers found in Medal Awards sections of 391BG mission records. | ||||||||
575 | 575005 | 45 | 1 | AG | Burns, Joseph P. | Cpl. | 32760769 | |
SOURCE: SO-3, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 1. 9 Jan 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575056 | 44 | AG | Byng, Virgil W. | S/Sgt. | 36815269 | ||
SOURCE: Accident Report, 42-95840 28 May 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Someone at the 1996 reunion indicated that the above were regular crew members. On 05/28/44 crash landed (42-95840). Believed to be on test flight. Per the softback history, Lt Sullivan's plane (42-95848) was shot down on 06/07/44, but four chutes appeared and two survived. The hardback history identifies the following as "missing": Lt Sullivan, Lt Hobson, TSgt Roberge, and SSgt Peterson. "Return of the Marauder Men" lists only Sgt Peterson as a casualty (which means that other remains were returned to the US. Dave Garnham found verification on microfilm of Lt. Sullivan's death. ADDENDUM: The mission records show that this was Sullivan's regular crew. This crew were aboard 42-95840 on the Amiens mission of 28 May 1944, when the aircraft was hit by FLAK over the target and was seen to leave formation, gliding down under control. The aircraft is believed to have crash landed near the English coast where it ran into anti-landing traps, and was declared Cat E and salvaged. Sullivan and crew were OK. | ||||||||
575 | 575114 | 44 | AG | Byng, Virgil W. | S/Sgt. | 36815269 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 05689, 42-95848. 7 Jun 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Briouze Railway Sidings. 42-95848 was lead flight, No.7. Aircraft was hit by FLAK and crashed NE of Bretteville, France. 4 parachutes seen, but last one did not deploy fully. | ||||||||
575 | 575030 | 44 | 4 | AG | Carter, Charles C. | Sgt. | 39568039 | |
SOURCE: SO-98, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 3. 10 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lakin flew over in 42-107591. Per OO-2, 391st BG, 02/06/45, by then Capt Lakin was lead qualified with Lt Vurgaropulis (of Willis's crew) as Bombardier and Lt Rogers (of Coult's crew) as Navigator. | ||||||||
575 | 575037 | 44 | AG | Christ, Robert E. | S/Sgt. | 33621249 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: From the softback history, on 05/08/1944 hydraulics were damaged leading to collapse of the landing gear at touchdown (41-31972). The crew listed here was provided by Bob Christ at the end of the year 2001. He did not provide the name of a co-pilot. Bob advises that their airplane was 31716 and that its name was "Six Hits and a Miss." The Miss, a picture of a girl, was featured on the nose. The full number was probably 41-31716, as it was a 575th airplane. All of these people were listed in Par 4, SO-1, 9th Bombardment Division, 09/25/44, which named only individual aircrew personnel for return to the ZI. ADDENDUM: The name of the missing Co-Pilot Bonifacino was found in the caption for the Martin crew photograph on this website. | ||||||||
575 | 575024 | 43 | 1 | AG | Clark, Allen O. | S/Sgt. | 17086753 | |
SOURCE: SO-345, Hqs, AAB Godman Field, KY, Par. 1. 24 Dec 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Allen Clark advises me that Fodor was also a navigator. Kelley flew over in 42-95827. 575BS History (Reel A0644 page 1224) states that "Pop" Kelley was a veteran B-26 pilot and joined the squadron in October 1943. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 1 | w.unk | Clark, Allen O. | Sgt. | 17086753 | |
SOURCE: MACR 03457, 42-95854. 25 Mar 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575018 | 44 | 4 | AG | Clarke, Edward C. | Sgt. | 19060408 | |
SOURCE: SO-107, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 1. 19 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: On 02/24/45, by then Capt Rauschenberger was killed when flying on a mission with Capt Hanish. Wakeland returned a 2Lt with serial number 0887215 per Par 4, SO-1, 9th Bombardment Division, 09/25/44, which lists aircrew personnel for return to the ZI. The tail number of the aircraft ferried over (42-107626) comes from SO-37, Hqs 3rd AF Staging Wing, Hunter Field, 02/06/44. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 7 | w.tg | Collison, Arden J. | Sgt. | 37667756 | |
SOURCE: MACR 09831, 42-95842. 28 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Tail Gunner - Box 2, low flight no.5. Janssen (575BS), low flight, no.2. | ||||||||
575 | 575011 | 44 | 8 | AG | Cowart, Milton E. | Sgt. | 18190494 | |
SOURCE: SO-106, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 1. 12 Aug 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Gatlin was shot down on 12/23/44 in #42-107671 per the softback history. He is listed on the Wall of the Missing in the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery. From the hardback history, one can infer that the other crew members were Lt Biezis (Wall, Henri-Chapelle Cemetery), SSgt Sanchez (Wall, Luxembourg Cemetery), SSgt Weissker and SSgt Cowart (both buried in the the Lorraine Cemetery), and Lt. Adair. Lt. Adair was the only survivor of his crew; he reports in "Who Dat?" that the other members of the crew were killed on the ground by SS troops; "Return of the Marauder Men" gives their date of death as 12/24/44. Weissker and Cowart must have died in the shootdown, as their date of death is given as the 23rd. | ||||||||
575 | 575126 | 44 | 8 | AG | Cowart, Milton E. | S/Sgt. | 18190494 | |
SOURCE: MACR 11661, 42-107671. 23 Dec 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Ahrweiler, Germany. Formation attacked by 50 to 75 enemy aircraft attacking in waves of 10 to 15 aircraft. 42-107671 was seen with left engine on fire and right engine feathered. Crew abandoned aircraft due to fire in bomb bay. Although 6 parachutes were seen leaving the aircraft, Adair was the only survivor. Adair states that he believes the rest of the crew were killed by S.S. Troops or by civilians. | ||||||||
575 | 575136 | X | Curtis, Lawrence J. | Sgt. | 19069881 | |||
SOURCE: Accident Report, 43-34326 7 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: Landing accident at A-58. Pilot made normal landing. Tire blew out on left main gear, causing aircraft to swerve to the left and off of runway. Pilot used left throttle and right brake in an attempt to keep the aircraft on runway. There was a 20 degree cross-wind at 15 MPH aggravating the aircraft's tendency to swerve to the left. Pilot was landing on the left-hand side of runway in his correction for drift. NOTE: This Accident Report was filed by the 410th Bomb Group, 647th Bomb Squadron. It is assumed that this aircraft and this crew (except for Curtis, and formerly of the 574 and 575 squadrons respectively) were transferred to this squadron at some point. The 410BG were originally equipped with A-20 Havoc aircraft. This report has been included for completeness. | ||||||||
575 | 575007 | 44 | 9 | AG | Deaton, Lester L. | Cpl. | 38510218 | |
SOURCE: SO-241, Hqs, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 2. 6 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Cambier flew one of the three planes (of six) that returned safely from the ferry mission to France on 24 Sep 44. | ||||||||
575 | 575057 | 43 | AG | Dick, Frank D. | Cpl. | 19180100 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1943. 1 Jan 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Tavener flew overseas as Lt Ruble's co-pilot in the original group of 57 crews. This crew was made up overseas. Wilkinson was assigned by SO-126, Hqs 391st, 09/24/44, Par 4. Lt Tavener was shot down on 12/23/44 in 42-95932 (Fifinella). I have assumed that the above crew was his "regular" crew at the time, as I cannot find them on other crews. Lt Tavener is listed on the Wall of the Missing in the Luxembourg Cemetery, and Lts Castle and Wilkinson are buried there. From Don Hudson I learned that Wynne and one other crewman successfully bailed out. | ||||||||
575 | 575125 | 43 | AG | Dick, Frank D. | Cpl. | 19180100 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 11551, 42-95932. 23 Dec 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Ahrweiler, Germany. Formation attacked by 50 to 75 enemy aircraft attacking in waves of 10 to 15 aircraft. | ||||||||
575 | 575053 | 44 | 9 | AG | Doyal, Glenn E. | Sgt. | 14079332 | |
SOURCE: SO-241, Hqs, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 2. 6 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Sharp was shot down on 12/23/44 in 43-34440. Martin Mazurk, at the 1996 convention, confirmed that Sharp's co-pilot on this mission was 2Lt Raymond E. Hedstrom of Cambier's crew. Of the above, only Lt Hawkinson is listed in "Return of the Marauder Men"; he is buried in the Lorraine Cemetery. Lt Ouellette must have upgraded to first pilot, as his name appears on the Operation Clarion taxi sheet. His bombardier that day was Lowe from Bolton's crew. | ||||||||
575 | 575124 | 44 | 9 | AG | Doyal, Glenn E. | Sgt. | 14079332 | |
SOURCE: MACR 11486, 43-34440. 23 Dec 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Ahrweiler, Germany. Formation attacked by 50 to 75 enemy aircraft attacking in waves of 10 to 15 aircraft. 43-34440 was hit in tail turret and right wing. Fire spread to bomb bay. Hawkinson was fighting the fire in the bomb bay. Either died in aircraft or parachute burned. | ||||||||
575 | 575033 | 45 | 2 | AG | Flathmann, Henry K. G. | Cpl. | 38455945 | |
SOURCE: SO-23, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 10 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: The source order does not list a co-pilot. | ||||||||
575 | 575013 | 45 | 2 | AG | Gipple, Warren G. | Cpl. | 17080097 | |
SOURCE: SO-23, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 10 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575101 | 43 | 2 | AG | Holland, Thomas H. | Pvt. | 20363863 | |
SOURCE: Accident Report, 41-18135. 30 Mar 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Crashed due to engine failure at MacDill Field, FL. 575BS History (Reel A0644 page 1201) states that this was the first aircraft assigned to the 575BS. Capt. Stalnaker was on a transistion flight to the Osprey Bombing Range when he had an engine failure. He had to use the nearest available runway at MacDill and, due to the presence of planes on this runway, almost totally wrecked the aircraft on landing. No crew members were hurt as they had all assumed emergency positions. Due to an engine failure while on a bombing mission, the pilot decided to return to his base. Upon approaching the MacDill Field, he made contact with the tower and was told to land and since it was an emergency to use runway 31. Traffic was using runway 9. The pilot was approaching the field from the S.E. The tower ordered three B-26's that were on runway 31 to clear the runway immediately. Two of the ships responded and cleared. The third ship kept taxiing on to the intersection of runway 31 and 36. In the meantime, the B-26 in trouble kept coming on in. Because of the third ship on the runway, the pilot decided to fly over this ship and land ahead of him. About that time the airplane on the runway turned off leaving the runway clear. The pilot of the ship in emergency then decided rather than try to climb and go around to land in the last 1/3 of the runway and he put his wheels and flaps down. He landed "hot" and the right gear did not have time to get completely down and locked. The right prop started cutting into the runway and the right gear collapsed due to the fact it was not completely down and locked. The nose wheel strut snapped causing the ship to skid sideways and partially groundloop. FINDINGS: 1. Pilot was not certain at the time the prop was feathered that he had actually lost an engine. 2. Investigation by Engineering section of Sub-Depot failed to disclose any defect that would cause a malfunctioning engine. 3. Unidentified aircraft on runway did not obey tower's instructions to "clear runway 31 immediately". 4. The nose wheel was down and locked while the right gear was not. 5. In view of the known facts of this accident, this board places partial responsibility on the pilot and partial responsibility on the pilot of the unidentified aircraft that did not clear the runway. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended in the future all aircraft be instructed to use taxi strips where possible instead of using runways as taxi strips. This will keep all runways open for use during emergency landings. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 2 | AG | Holland, Thomas H. | S/Sgt. | 20363863 | |
SOURCE: SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, MacDill Field, FLA, Par. 2. 7 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575061 | 44 | 7 | AG | Kartchner, Kenneth A. | Sgt. | 39906089 | |
SOURCE: SO-95, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 5. 29 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Per OO-2, 391st BG, 02/06/45, Lt Willis was lead qualified with 1Lt Hubert R. Demeester, 0729442, who had arrived as an individual (SO-126, 391st BG, 9/24/44) as Bombardier and Lt Miles (listed in the Comments under Capt Hanish) as Navigator. On 02/24/45, Lt Vurgaropulos was killed while flying on a mission with Capt Hanish. On 03/09/45, Lt Willis crash landed in 42-95843 (Rashioned Passion) (sp?) at base when his plane's landing gear failed because of flak damage. Per Par 11, SO-98, 9th BD, 04/08/45, SSgt Kulwin went to Pathfinder with Lt Julian Brooks's crew, replacing Broussard. | ||||||||
575 | 575009 | 44 | 9 | AG | Katsilometes, Jim G. | Cpl. | 20927358 | |
SOURCE: SO-124, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 6. 21 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Note that in OO-2, 391st BG, 02/06/45, Lt Rogers's middle initial is given as M vice K, as shown in the above-referenced order. Rogers must have been navigator rated, as he flew lead later as such. | ||||||||
575 | 575034 | 44 | 12 | AG | Kelly, Nathan L. | Cpl. | 16021843 | |
SOURCE: SO-296, Hqs, AAB Barksdale Field, LA, Par. 23. 22 Oct 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Info from pilot, except as noted below. He is brother of Clarence R. Martin, also a pilot in the 575th. The first name, rank, and serial number for Sheppard come from SO-127, Hqs 391st BG, dated 9/1/43; it is possible that he is not the right Sheppard in this case. ADDENDUM: FE on original website (T/SGT. THOMAS K. SHEPPARD, ASN 38159990) was incorrect. Crew names and missing serial numbers obtained from SO-296 Par 23. | ||||||||
575 | 575001 | 43 | AG | Kreft, Andre F. | S/Sgt. | 12057415 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1943. 1 Jan 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Aldridge, who had flown over as Stalnaker's co-pilot, was shot down 04/27/44 (42-95845), while flying as first pilot. Per the hardback history, the other crew members on this mission were as shown above. The softback history indicates that there were 5 survivors, but "Return of the Marauder Men" lists SSgt Kreft with this date of death (he is buried in the the Normandy Cemetery) and also shows Cpl Saylor on the Wall of the Missing at the Ardennes Cemetery, on 04/28/45. | ||||||||
575 | 575111 | 43 | AG | Kreft, Andre F. | S/Sgt. | 12057415 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 04216, 42-95845. 27 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Arras M/Y, France. FLAK hit right engine which burst into flames. Aldridge momentarily lost control and the aircraft went into a steep turn to the right. He passed under No.2 in the flight with his wing and right engine on fire. He appeared to have the aircraft under control and continued evasive action until 5000 feet. 4 parachutes seen to leave the aircraft before it did a tight left spiral, crashed, and exploded. Burgess and Hanton evaded for a while until they were captured. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 9 | AG | Lovejoy, Robert F. | S/Sgt. | 32383346 | |
SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 4. 24 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575139 | 44 | 9 | AG | Lovejoy, Robert F. | S/Sgt. | 32383346 | |
SOURCE: SO-266, Par. 5; HQ, 70th Replacement Depot - Assignment of crews to various Bomb Groups. 22 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: As per the order, this tentative crew was assigned to the group on 22 September 1944. The crew loading lists show that all members were assigned to the 575th Bomb Squadron, but were split up and flew with various other crews. | ||||||||
575 | 575051 | 43 | 2 | AG | Mawhorr, Kenneth I. | S/Sgt. | 35404177 | |
SOURCE: SO-345, Hqs, AAB Godman Field, KY, Par. 1. 24 Dec 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Schirmer flew over in 42-95855. Hesterly's particulars come from SO-7, Hqs, 391st Bomb Group, Par 4, 2/7/1943. He became the Squadron Bombardier and so flew with a number of crews, but he states that later on he flew mostly with Schirmer, and I am sure that he was no longer a 2nd Lt.. ADDENDUM: Crew loading lists show that Mawhorr was this crew's regular AG. | ||||||||
575 | 575010 | 45 | 1 | AG | McDonald, Maurice J. | Cpl. | 11132828 | |
SOURCE: SO-5, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 11 Jan 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: Per Par 11, SO-98, 9th BD, 04/08/45, Lt. Fagan's crew was sent to Pathfinder. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | AG | McFadden, Raymond A. | Sgt. | 19112252 | |||
SOURCE: SO-104, 9th Bombardment Div, Par. 3. 15 Apr 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: Per SO-104 - transferred to 323rd Bomb Group. | ||||||||
575 | 575140 | AG | McFadden, Raymond A. | Cpl. | 19112252 | |||
SOURCE: Special Orders No. 318, HQ, Lake Charles AAF, Par.1,2,3. 13 Nov 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: This crew, apart from Cook, flew their first mission together on 1 March 1945. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 9 | AG | McGinn, Paul E. | S/Sgt. | 13043379 | |
SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 4. 24 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575138 | 44 | 9 | AG | McGinn, Paul E. | S/Sgt. | 13043379 | |
SOURCE: SO-266, Par. 5; HQ, 70th Replacement Depot - Assignment of crews to various Bomb Groups. 22 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: As per the order, this tentative crew was assigned to the group on 22 September 1944. The crew loading lists show that all members were assigned to the 575th Bomb Squadron, but were split up and flew with various other crews. | ||||||||
575 | 575002 | 44 | 9 | AG | McMahon, William J. | T/Sgt. | 33289751 | |
SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 4. 24 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: The source order assigned people as individuals. Bass identified the names on his crew. Kennair went over as Noland's bombardier (Noland was killed on the ferry mission of 9/24/44). McMahon's correct ASN obtained from Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster Award, GO28, Hq, 9th Bombardment Division (M), 25 February 1945 (Reel B0428 page 876). | ||||||||
575 | 575012 | 45 | 1 | AG | Melzow, Ernest J. | Cpl. | 32983498 | |
SOURCE: SO-5, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 11 Jan 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575058 | 44 | 9 | AG | Moore, Ralph W. | S/Sgt. | 20815159 | |
SOURCE: SO-121, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 12. 13 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575040 | 45 | 1 | AG | Morris, Eugene T. | Cpl. | 36763095 | |
SOURCE: SO-296, Hqs, AAB Barksdale Field, LA, Par. 23. 22 Oct 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Info provided by Dick Naugle, except that Dave Morris provided the number (44-677924) of the Aircraft ferried over. ADDENDUM: Missing serial numbers for Sutcliffe and Morris come from SO-296 Par 23. | ||||||||
575 | 575036 | 44 | 12 | AG | Mosier, James C. | Cpl. | 42025887 | |
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, December 1944. 1 Dec 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Albert Martin, brother of Clarence R., both pilots in the 575th, supplied Clarence's name, and he had thought that the co-pilot's name was Pinkham. All the names shown above, aside from the pilot's, were supplied by Bill Phillips, co-pilot, at the 1996 reunion. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | 5 | AG | Nichols, Paul N. | S/Sgt. | 37200598 | |
SOURCE: 391BG Mission Records: Medal Awards and Crew Loading Lists. 15 Feb 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Details from Crew Loading Lists. Nichols regularly flew with the Tucker crew. | ||||||||
575 | 575035 | 44 | 8 | AG | Pepi, Albert L. | Cpl. | 39047311 | |
SOURCE: OO-101, NORTH ATL WG, Dow Field, Bangor, ME, Par. 3. 23 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: On 02/24/45, flying 44-67902 (Hube), Lt Martin crashed due to severe flak damage. His airplane for the flight over was 43-34347. | ||||||||
575 | 575020 | 44 | 9 | AG | Pingle, Ray E. | Cpl. | 35791929 | |
SOURCE: SO-128, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 27 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: SO-220, Hqs Barkdale Field, 8/7/44, gives the flight engineer's name as Kervin, which I suspect is correct. | ||||||||
575 | 575045 | 44 | AG | Read, Robert R. | S/Sgt. | 32058677 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Michael Petrich recently supplied the above-listed crew names along with some interesting sidelights. He left the US on Christmas Day, 1943, some days ahead of the initial deployment of the 391st. As a result of being hospitalized in Northern Ireland, he lost his first crew. The above-listed names are his second crew; he had the first replacement crew for the 575th. His ferry airplane number (42-95864) comes from a Morrison Field order, SO-473, dated 12/24/44; it would only be a coincidence if this airplane ended up in the 391st. On 05/21/44, Petrich was flying 42-95805 which was badly damaged by a gunner in 827 test-firing guns. Undercarriage collapsed after brakes burned out. Lt Petrich was shot down in 42-107811 on 07/05/44. The softback history says that there were known to be survivors, and obviously Petrich survived. "Return of the Marauder Men" lists Sgt Martel as buried in the Normandy Cemetery and Sgt Insley on the Wall of the Missing in the Brittany Cemetery. Serial numbers come from Dave Garnham's database. | ||||||||
575 | 575116 | 44 | AG | Read, Robert R. | S/Sgt. | 32058677 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 06360, 42-107811. 5 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Senoche F/D. 42-107811 was hit in aft bomb bay by FLAK then broke apart. Petrich stated that Sullivan was shot and killed whilst descending in his parachute. | ||||||||
575 | 575014 | 43 | AG | Reagan, William F. | S/Sgt. | 31140015 | ||
SOURCE: Hardback History. 1 Jan 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: This crew was shot down on 03/25/44 (42-95854). The hardback history lists Raymond Smith as flying co-pilot. According to the softback history, there were 5 survivors. Dave Garnham determined from microfilm that SSgt Reagan was killed. There is another entry for Raymond Smith, as he flew over as first pilot. | ||||||||
575 | 575110 | 43 | AG | Reagan, William F. | S/Sgt. | 31140015 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 03457, 42-95854. 25 Mar 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Hirson M/Y, France. 42-95854 was 2nd box, low flight, No.6. It was hit by FLAK, stayed in formation for 2 minutes, went into a spin, and exploded before hitting ground near Laon, France. 3 to 5 parachutes were seen. Reagan was found dead about 50 feet from aircraft wreckage with parachute deployed. His severe injuries suggest that he struck the ground hard, and perhaps his parachute caught on the tail, or it malfunctioned. | ||||||||
575 | 575129 | 44 | 7 | AG | Rivoli, Valentine P. | S/Sgt. | 12168196 | |
SOURCE: MACR 12611, 42-107576. 24 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Irlich. 42-107576 was flying box 1, lead flight. Just before release point, burst of FLAK hit the right engine and the main auxiliary fuel tank. The aircraft caught fire, veered right, and then went down in spiral dive. The wing broke off in the dive. No parachutes were observed leaving the aircraft. | ||||||||
575 | 575023 | 44 | AG | Sancomb, Edgar E., Jr | S/SGT. | 33726918 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Jannsen led the Ahrweiler mission on 12/23/44, flying 42-107743, Silver Star. Garside of Schreiber's crew flew as his Bombardier that day. Jannsen's serial number comes from SO-218, Laughlin AAF, 2 Sep 43. An anonymous contributor at the 1996 reunion provided the CP, RG, and AG names plus that of McDowell (from Tucker's crew) as EG. Capt Thompson may have had a crew, but I have not found any evidence of that, such as his name on a taxi sheet. ADDENDUM: Serial number and correct forename for Sancomb come from SO-104 Par 3. | ||||||||
575 | 575031 | 44 | 9 | AG | Schneider, Robert C. | Cpl. | 17115190 | |
SOURCE: SO-248, Hqs, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 1. 14 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Per Martin Mazurk at the 1996 reunion, when he was transferred to Saunders crew to become a lead crew, he was replaced by Covino, not a rated bombardier, but what was called a "toggleer." | ||||||||
575 | 575028 | 45 | 2 | AG | Serowski, Raymond P. | Cpl. | 36826023 | |
SOURCE: SO-23, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 10 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 43 | AG | Sigillo, John | Pvt. | 35623686 | ||
SOURCE: OO-25, 391st Bombardment Group, Godman Field, KY. 23 Sep 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: Details from OO-25 (Reel B0427 page 1023). | ||||||||
575 | 575025 | 44 | 4 | AG | Smith, Raymond E. | Sgt. | 35099978 | |
SOURCE: SO-107, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 1. 19 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: From the 22 Mar 45 taxi sheet, a first pilot named Nelson of the 575th flew that day; he was probably the above Nelson. | ||||||||
575 | 575046 | 45 | 2 | AG | Smith, William B. | Cpl. | 36757688 | |
SOURCE: SO-23, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 10 Feb 1945 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575015 | 44 | AG | Springer, Ralph W., Jr. | Cpl. | 32832726 | ||
SOURCE: SO-318, Hqs, 3RD AF STG WG, Hunter Field, GA, Par. 1. 13 Nov 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: This pilot's last name comes from the taxi sheet for the first mission on 03/04/45. I found a pilot with the same last name in the referenced order. I have included the crew on the gamble that there were not two pilots with this name in a relatively short timespan. | ||||||||
575 | 575027 | 44 | AG | Stevens, James F. | S/Sgt. | 11054924 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Kloepfer was shot down on 12/23/44 in 42-95844, Miss Behavin. I have assumed that the above crew, listed in the hardback history, was his regular crew, as I can find them on no other crew. Lts Kloepfer and Hulton are buried in the Lorraine Cemetery. | ||||||||
575 | 575127 | 44 | AG | Stevens, James F. | S/Sgt. | 11054924 | ||
SOURCE: MACR 11670, 42-95844. 23 Dec 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Target: Ahrweiler, Germany. Formation attacked by 50 to 75 enemy aircraft attacking in waves of 10 to 15 aircraft. Haynes was the only survivor and states that there was a fire in the bomb bay which may have prevented the Officers from bailing out. Humble was injured and was too weak to bail out. Stevens' parachute had been damaged by enemy fire and was also hysterical. Only Haynes managed to bail out of the waist window when the aircraft started spinning and became a POW. | ||||||||
575 | 575109 | 43 | AG | Surman, John S. | S/SGT. | 32732716 | ||
SOURCE: Accident Report, 42-95932*. 20 Mar 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Landing accident at Matching/Sta 166. The pilot landed out of a fast approach at least two-thirds of the way down the runway. His immediate use of brakes was attested to by the appearance of smoke for a short period after landing, but it disappeared until shortly before his attempted turn at the end of the runway where it appeared again. Inspection of the runway right after the accident showed that the right wheel skidded for about 100 yards. The ship was unable to make the turn and the left wheel, under the added download caused by the turn, sank deep into the soft earth allowing the left prop to hit the ground. The accident was due do at 100-percent to pilot error, about 80% judgement and 20% technique. It is recommended that if I stop appears impossible, the pilot role straight ahead on the soft Earth not using brakes off the runway. | ||||||||
575 | 575022 | 43 | AG | Surman, John S. | S/Sgt. | 32732716 | ||
SOURCE: SO-345, Hqs, AAB Godman Field, KY, Par. 1. 24 Dec 1943 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575042 | 44 | 9 | AG | Talley, James E. | Cpl. | 17053378 | |
SOURCE: SO-220, Hqs, AAB Barksdale Field, LA, Par. 21. 7 Aug 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Noland was flying one of the three planes that crashed returning from a ferry mission to France on 09/24/44. He was flying 42-95853, "Miss Laid," and crashed in Hatfield Heath. According to Bob Mynn in an article, "When the Weather Won", his crew were Crider and Terrian. Note that he did not have a co-pilot for this ferry mission. All were killed and are buried in the American Military Cemetery at Madingley. Noland's name is spelled Nolan in several instances, creating some confusion. Kennair later flew with Bass, and his name was often misspelled as Kinnair. | ||||||||
575 | 575032 | 44 | 9 | AG | Terry, Meyer | S/Sgt. | 32465832 | |
SOURCE: SO-241, Hqs, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 2. 6 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Cpl Pennington was killed on 02/24/45, on a mission with Capt Hanish (see Comments there). | ||||||||
575 | 575008 | 44 | 9 | AG | Tuthill, Hull E. | Sgt. | 12122859 | |
SOURCE: SO-128, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 2. 27 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 2 | w.tg | Vincent, Robert A. | S/Sgt. | 32744968 | |
SOURCE: MACR 09831, 42-95842. 28 Jul 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Tail Gunner - Jannsen (575BS). Box 2, low flight, no.2. NB Role assumed to be AG. | ||||||||
575 | 575019 | 44 | 4 | AG | Watson, James L. | S/Sgt. | 13031587 | |
SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs, 391st Bombardment Group, Par. 4. 24 Sep 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: These crewmen reported as individuals. Lt Heslep was on the Ahrweiler mission and apparently returned to base. I have been unable to identify his crew entirely. Apparently, Jim Watson was at the 1996 reunion and entered the gunners' names and his serial number. I already had Bass's particulars from orders, but I did not know that he was on this crew. From the 22 March 45 taxi sheet, Hunter flew with him then. | ||||||||
575 | 575000 | 44 | 2 | w.tg | Weatherholtz, Harley L. | S/Sgt. | 15010439 | |
SOURCE: MACR 04216, 42-95845. 27 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Tail Gunner. Second flight, No.2. Heard explosion. Aldridge's aircraft heading for us in a steep bank. Flames sweeping past his waist windows and top part of right wing had been torn loose. Lost altitude rapidly. 3 minutes later, he seemed to have control but was being fired upon. Spiralling at about 6000 feet, levelled off at 4000 feet. No chutes. NB Role assumed to be AG. | ||||||||
575 | 575048 | 44 | AG | White, George D. | Sgt. | 12155697 | ||
SOURCE: SO-98, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 3. 10 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: The tail number of the aircraft ferried over comes from SO-37, Hqs 3rd AF Staging Wing, Hunter Field, 02/06/44. | ||||||||
575 | 575050 | 44 | AG | Wilkes, John J., Jr. | S/Sgt. | 39183822 | ||
SOURCE: Miscellaneous Sources, 1944. 1 Jan 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: All of these names were supplied by Martin Mazurk. I already had Wilkes's name and particulars from an extract of an R&R order sent to me by Clyde Kirkbride, but I still do not know for sure that he was a flight engineer. Apparently, Saunders had no bombardier but was ready to lead, so Mazurk was transferred from Leavitt to Saunders. Saunders, Raef, and Albert's serial numbers come from Dave Garnham's database. ADDENDUM: Crew loading lists show Elliott as FE and Wilkes as AG. | ||||||||
575 | 575052 | 44 | 4 | AG | Wilson, John W. | Sgt. | 33581415 | |
SOURCE: SO-98, AAF STA AAF-236, Par. 3. 10 Apr 1944 | ||||||||
NOTES: Lt Carpenter's name is unreadable on my copy of the source order; his name was found in SO-23, Hqs Lake Charles AAF, 01/23/44, Par 1. Lt Garside flew with Jannsen on the 12/23/44 mission. |