391ST BOMB GROUP CREW LISTS

575^th Squadron

Alphabetical by Pilot’s Name

YR MO

ASSIGNED

43 P ALDRIDGE, WILLIAM S., 1LT, 0731780

CP BURGESS, MERLIN K., CAPT., 0404086

B HANTON, EMIL M., 2LT, 0741340

FE LAYCOCK, JOHN F., SGT, 32143301

RG SAYLOR, STERL E., CPL, 12098426

AG KREFT, ANDRE F. SSGT, 12057415

SOURCE: Par.

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.

44 9 P BASS, EARL J., 2LT, 0667915

CP WESTBROOK, HAROLD B., 2LT, 0676844

B KENNAIR, THOMAS J., 1LT, 0712163

FE LINDSAY, JOHN H., SSGT, 16028379

RG DELAPEEZI (SP?)

AG MCMAHON, WILLIAM J., TSGT, 33279757

SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/24/1944 Par. 4

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).

44 9 P BOLTON, EDWARD H., 2LT, 0819948

CP CHRISTIANSEN, RUDOLPH G., 2LT, 0714664

B LOWE, GENE D., 2LT, 0718114

FE BROKER, RAYMOND W.,CPL, 37520471

RG LINDHOLM, JOHN E., CPL, 32862462

AG BOYD, STEWART J., CPL, 12175937

SOURCE: SO-248 HQS AAF STA AAF-236 9/14/1944 Par.

44 P BREESEMAN, RICHARD N. 1LT, 0701879

CP CURTIS, RICHARD D., 1LT, 0731467

B KELLY

FE DICKENSON, EUGENE C., SSGT, 37557876

RG GIFFORD, W. G.

AG BURNS, JOE, SSGT, 36853886

SOURCE: Par.

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.

45 1 P BROOKS, JULIAN N., 2LT, 0713690

CP FULTON, DANIEL R., 2LT, 02063598

B MAXON, WILLIAM K., 2LT, 0766321

FE BIEL, ROBERT L., CPL, 35488598

RG BROUSSARD, ROLAND L., CPL, 38484851

AG BURNS, JOSEPH P., CPL, 32760769

SOURCE: SO-3 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 1/9/1945 Par. 1

45 3 P BROUGHTON, JOHN R., 1LT, 0727845

FE KARA, JOHN S., SSGT, 12027583

SOURCE: SO-41 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 3/14/1945 Par. 1

This is an A-26 crew.

44 9 P CAMBIER, ORVILLE J,, 2LT, 0705312

CP HEDSTROM, RAYMOND E., 2LT, 0714079

B ANDERCHECK, EDWARD F., 2LT, 076617

FE DAVIS, JO-AL D., CPL, 38458274

RG HARMON, JOHN E., CPL, 20229810

AG DEATON, LESTER L., CPL, 38510218

SOURCE: SO-241 AAF STA AAF-236 9/6/1944 Par. 2

Cambier flew one of the three planes (of six) that returned safely from the ferry mission

to France on 24 Sep 44.

44 9 P CHATHAM, MILTON E., 2LT, 0715990

CP FREDERICK, HERBERT L., 2LT, 0709560

B EINARSON, HAROLD W., 2LT, 0722647

FE HUGHES, ALBERT L., JR., SGT, 34344178

RG LEE, DORMAN W., CPL, 37055650

AG TUTHILL, HULL E., SGT, 12122859

SOURCE: SO-128 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/27/1944 Par. 2

44 9 P COULT, CECIL K., 2LT, 0705909

CP FORHAN, THOMAS E., 2LT, 0713730

B ROGERS, WILLIAM K., 2LT, 0723822

FE HALESEY, PAUL A., CPL, 33461265

RG MAYFIELD, WILLIAM H., CPL, 20834438

AG KATSILOMETES, JIM G., CPL, 20927358

SOURCE: SO-124, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/21/1944 Par. 6

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.

45 1 P FAGAN, WILLIAM M., 2LT, 0720392

CP LEWIS, GOMER J., 2LT, 02063650

B DUPUY, JOE L., 2LT, 02068019

FE MAY, ARTHUR H., CPL, 34520803

RG KENT, WENDELL E., PVT, 36687395

AG MCDONALD, MAURICE J., CPL, 11132828

SOURCE: SO-5 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 1/11/1945 Par. 2

Per Par 11, SO-98, 9th BD, 04/08/45, Lt. Fagan's crew was sent to Pathfinder.

44 8 P GATLIN, JAMES F., JR., 2LT, 0685331

CP BIEZIS, STEPHEN V., 2LT, 0824021

B ADAIR, JOHN J., 2LT, 0746676

FE SANCHEZ, JOE R., CPL, 39290993

RG WEISSKER, WILLIAM L., SSGT, 14070304

AG COWART, MILTON E., SGT, 18190494

SOURCE: SO-106, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 8/12/1944 Par. 1

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.

45 1 P GOBLE, WILLIAM, JR., 2LT, 0713402

CP LINDSAY, FRANCIS J., 2LT, 02062237

B JOST, LEONARD G., 2LT, 02069453

FE MIDDLETON ROBERT W., CPL, 32951679

RG MADELEY, GEORGE N., JR., CPL, 38538457

AG MELZOW, ERNEST J., CPL, 32983498

SOURCE: SO-5, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 1/11/1945 Par. 2

45 2 P GOULD, RALPH A., JR., 0721705

CP DRURY, HUGH D., 2LT, 02058739

N VOICE, JACK W., 2LT, 02072048

FE MAYFIELD, HAROLD R., CPL, 37356963

RG BURKERT, JOHN S., CPL, 15097319

AG GIPPLE, WARREN G., CPL, 17080097

SOURCE: SO-23, 391ST BG 2/10/45 Par. 2

43 P GUBNER, HARRY D., JR., CAPT, 0731574

CP SMITH, RAYMOND B., 2LT, 0795846

B MCCUTCHEON, R. D., JR., 2LT, 0534471

FE MARTIN, E. L., SSGT, 18180847

RG BRIDGEWATER, B. B., TSGT, 14188175

AG REAGAN, W. F., SSGT, 31140015

SOURCE: HARDBACK HISTORY Par.

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.

44 P GUILBEAU, LEE J., MAJ, 0426830

CP WHEELER, JOSEPH H., II, F/O, T65581

B SCHWARTZ, JEROME D., 2LT, 0783231

FE BONAIVITO, JOSEPH C., CPL, 33680643

RG BECHTOLD, DONALD W., CPL, 13154592

AG SPRINGER, RALPH W., JR., CPL, 32832726

SOURCE: SO-318 HQS, Lake Charles AAF 11/13/1944 Par. 1

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.

43 9 P HANISH, BURTON C., 1LT, 026260

CP EKSTROM, ARNE (NMI), 2LT, 0692773

FE BROCKELBANK, EDWARD H., SSGT, 11032199

RG KISH, WILLIAM E., SGT, 32381719

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

A pilot, 2Lt John R. Talton, 0795859, later of the 574th, flew overseas with this crew in

42-95843. Per OO-2, 391st BG, 02/06/45, by then Capt Hanish was lead qualified with

Capt Arthur F. Rauschenberger (of Harlow's crew) and 2Lt Francis L. Miles, 0703566,

(no other information) as Navigator. On 02/24/45, Capt Hanish's plane, 42-107576, was

hit by flak and crashed. It turns out that none of the crew members listed in his original

crew was with him that day (they had probably gone home upon completion of

missions). I am indebted to Mrs. Harold E. Harsin for the following information. She

indicates that her husband (1Lt, 0855860) was squadron gunnery officer and flew often

with Capt Hanish. Lt Harsin is buried in the Netherlands Cemetery. The remainder of

the mission crew follows:

CP Littlejohn, Lew F., 2Lt, 0778171 (I found this Serial Number)

B Rauschenberger, Arthur F., Capt (of Harlow's crew)

B Vurgaropulos, John C., 1Lt (of Willis's crew)

EG Pennington, Ernest H., TSgt, 34728009, of Lippincott' crew

?G Rivoli, Valentine P., SSgt

?G Broffman, Paul, Sgt

Only Rivoli survived. A letter to Mrs. Harsin, dated 1 July 1946, from BGen Leon W.

Johnson states that other crews saw the left wing break away and that only one

parachute was seen. Only Lt Harsin is listed in "Return of the Marauder Men," so

remains of the others must have been returned to the US. Someone at the 1996 reunion

wrote that Broffman was also from Lippincott's crew and that Rivoli was from Lakin's crew;

if so this was after changes to their original crews. Marty Mazurk reports that Hanish told

him that, as a West Point graduate, he had no set tour of duty, that his tour was until the

end of the war. Also from Marty, Carpenter, of Schreiber’s crew, became Hanish’s co-pilot but was

not on the mission described above, and Carpenter survived the war.

43 ? P HARKINS, HERSCHEL S., 1LT, 0668065

CP SQUIER, EUGENE R., 2LT, 0757317

B WECHSLER, HOWARD (NMI), 2LT, 0797108

N WOLFE, LEWIS A., 1LT, 0811826

FE MILLER, STANLEY W., SSGT, 36453560

RG LAWSON, THOMAS T., SGT, 13034170

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

On 05/25/44 aircraft 42-107743 was badly flak damaged; returned on single engine. On

10/06/44, then Major Harkins aircraft, 42-107837, was badly flak damaged. Per OO-2,

391st BG, 02/06/45, Maj Harkins was lead qualified with by then Capt Barnes (of Ives

crew) and Wolfe, who undoubtedly arrived much later than Harkins, as Navigator. The

aircraft that Harkins flew over (42-95805) became Cat E on 05/21/44. Lt. Petrich was

flying it, and it was badly damaged by a gunner in 827 test-firing guns. Undercarriage collapsed after brakes burned out.

44 4 P HARLOW, FREDERICK S., CPT, 0397369

CP WAKELAND, VERNON E., F/O, T1786

B RAUSCHENBERGER, ARTHUR F., 2LT, 0741368

FE COUGHRAN, JOHN P., SGT, 19180946

RG MCKENZIE, FRED N., SGT, 34507416

AG CLARKE, EDWARD C., SGT, 19060408

SOURCE: SO-107 AAF STA AAF-236 4/19/1944 Par. 1

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.

44 9 P HESLEP, ALVIN R., 1LT, 0672102

B HUNTER, PHILIP H., 1LT, 0676282

FE WAGGONER, SSGT

RG BASS, JOHN C., TSGT, 15082110

AG WATSON, JAMES, SSGT, 13031587

SOURCE: SO-126, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/24/1944 Par. 4

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.

44 9 P HORSTMAN, CHARLES J., 2LT, 0705954

CP O'CONNELL, JOHN H., 2LT, 0715295

B SMITH, PHILLIP, 2LT, 0718158

FE DERVIN, JUNIES C., CPL, 38420996

RG RODGERS, JAMES M., CPL, 17043492

AG PINGLE, RAY E., CPL, 35791929

SOURCE: SO-128, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/27/1944 Par. 2

SO-220, Hqs Barkdale Field, 8/7/44, gives the flight engineer's name as Kervin, which I

suspect is correct.

44 9 P IVES, WALTER J., MAJ, 0396904

CP COX, JAMES C., 2LT, 0818508

B BARNES, JOHN W., 2LT, 0659510

FE BENNETT, RUSSELL G., SSGT, 11054993

RG COCHRAN, ROBERT C., TSGT, 34205733

AG ALAKEL, ROBERT N., SSGT, 31083774

SOURCE: SO-121, Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/13/1944 Par. 11

43 P JACOBI, SAMUEL (NMI), 2LT, 0796828

CP HUDSON, DONALD J., 2LT, 0693781

B EMMINGER, HAROLD J., 2LT, 0733165

FE BOSTON, GEORGE A., SGT, 17160225

RG GRAZIER, GUY W., SGT, 35596133

AG SURMAN, JOHN S., SSGT, 32732716

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

44 P JANNSEN, EDWARD M., CAPT, 0401174

CP THOMPSON, BRAXTON S., CAPT, 0433607

RG SKEENS, CLYDE B., TSGT, 15114659

AG SANCOMB, E. E.,

SOURCE: Par.

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.

43 1 P KELLEY, GLENN D., 1LT, 0348517

CP SNOW, PARKER B., 2LT, 0757314

B FODOR, JOSEPH P., 2LT, 0793238

FE JOHNSON, EDWARD J., SSGT, 32624456

RG MATIS, WILLIAM (NMI), SGT, 19040245

AG CLARK, ALLEN O., SSGT, 17086753

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Allen Clark advises me that Fodor was also a navigator. Kelley flew over in 42-95827.

44 4 P KIEDINGER, CECIL E., 2LT, 0808557

CP NELSON, CLYDE W., JR., 2LT, 0815208

B MOTLEY, WILLIAM F., 2LT, 0699227

FE WALL, FREDERICK H., SSGT, 37303205

RG SOMERVILLE, JAMES(NMI),JR.,SSGT 32787503

AG SMITH, RAYMOND E., SGT, 35099978

SOURCE: SO-107 AAF STA AAF-236 4/19/1944 Par. 1

From the 22 Mar 45 taxi sheet, a first pilot named Nelson of the 575th flew that

day; he was probably the above Nelson.

44 9 P KIRTON, WILLIAM T., 2LT, 0699428

CP GOODLANDER, OLIVER L., 2LT, 0824130

B CRISP, JACK P., 2LT, 0703379

FE DRANCHAK, JOSEPH, SGT, 33602705

RG HERRIN, JAMES A., SGT, 19098631

AG BRADY, VANCE H., SSGT, 36514571

SOURCE: SO-121 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/13/1944 Par. 12

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.

44 P KLOEPFER, WILLIAM A., 1LT, 0681120

CP HULTON, JOHN V., 2LT, 0822009

B WOLFE, EDWARD, 2LT, 0761272

FE HUMBLE, HAROLD R., SSGT, 38468334

RG HAYNES, DELMER L., SSGT, 20725360

AG STEVENS, JAMES F., SSGT, 11054924

SOURCE: Par.

Lt Kloepfer was shot down on 12/23/44 in 42-95944, 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.

45 2 P KREIN, WALTER, 2LT, 0718672

CP HOWARD, JOHN G., JR., F/O, T131295

N LUKETICH, JOSEPH, F/O, T133113

FE NOVITSKI, TONY, CPL, 32085905

RG NYERGES, NAPOLEON G., CPL, 15375053

AG SEROWAKI, RAYMOND P., CPL, 36826023

SOURCE: SO-23, 391ST BG 2/10/45 Par. 2

45 3 P KRISTOLICH, HENRY R., 2LT, 0819829

FE AINSCOUGH, VADEN E., SSGT, 16019480

SOURCE: SO-41 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 3/14/1945 Par. 1

This was an A-26 crew.

44 4 P LAKIN, ROBERT K., 2LT, 0684356

CP CREIGHTON, JOHN R., JR. 2LT, 0689847

B CASTAGNONI, ALDO (NMI), 2LT, 0669996

FE LEO, PHILIP (NMI), SSGT, 12058657

RG KANE, WALTER J., SSGT, 39279401

AG CARTER, CHARLES C., SGT, 39568039

SOURCE: SO-98 AAF STA AAF-236 4/10/1944 Par. 3

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.

44 9 P LEAVITT, VERNON P., 2LT, 0704841

CP SMITH, ROBERT O., 2LT, 0715833

B MAZURK, MARTIN K., 2LT, 0712193

FE NICHOLS, LEROY L., CPL, 37558043

RG SOUZA, ALVARO D., CPL, 19093064

AG SCHNEIDER, ROBERT C., CPL, 17115190

SOURCE: SO-248 HQS AAF STA AAF-236 9/14/1944 Par. 1

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."

44 9 P LIPPINCOTT, JOHN I., JR., 2LT, 0706212

CP LITZSINGER, HERBERT S., 2LT, 0713304

B BANKS, BEN T., 2LT, 712269

FE PENNINGTON, ERNEST H., CPL, 34728009

RG THROWER, HAROLD P., CPL, 38372802

AG TERRY, MEYER, SSGT, 32465832

SOURCE: SO-241 AAF STA AAF-236 9/6/1944 Par. 2

Cpl Pennington was killed on 02/24/45, on a mission with Capt Hanish (see Comments

there).

45 2 P LOWRY, ALLAN R., 2LT, 0697431

N BROWN, HAROLD G., F/O, T128941

FE PERRY, THOMAS, CPL, 36659903

RG MALENA, JOHN. CPL, 32662385

AG FLATHMANN, HENRY K. G., CPL, 38455945

SOURCE: SO-23, 391ST BG 2/10/45 Par. 2

The source order does not list a co-pilot.

44 12 P MARTIN, ALBERT C., 1LT, 0721817

CP SHIPP, JOHN W.

B PIGGOTT, M. O.

FE SMEAD, TOM

RG SHEPPARD, THOMAS K., TSGT, 38159990

AG KELLY, NATHAN

SOURCE: Par.

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.

44 8 P MARTIN, CLARENCE L., 2LT, 0705131

CP SIENKNECHT, ARLO F., 2LT, 0715814

B MAYER, HARRY S., JR., 2LT, 0712192

FE STARKWEATHER, MARVIN R., CPL, 37518497

RG TORRES, EUGENE E., CPL, 18121116

AG PEPI, ALBERT L., CPL, 39047311

SOURCE: OO-101 NORTH ATL WG, BANGOR FLD 7/23/1944 Par. 3

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.

44 12 P MARTIN, CLARENCE R., 2LT, 0721614

CP PHILLIPS, WILLIAM I., 2LT, 02061759

B ATTANASIO, CARMINE, F/O, T-132544

FE ROVELLI, HERMAN M., CPL, 31288381

RG STEWART, HERBERT S., CPL, 15121616

AG MOSIER, JAMES C., CPL, 42025887

SOURCE: Par.

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.

44 P MARTIN, MAX M., 2LT, 0686574

B PALMER, WAYNE R., 1LT, 0681761

FE SHACKELFORD, CLAUDE C., SSGT, 19174305

RG SEBRING, KEENOY F., TSGT, 19167324

AG CHRIST, ROBERT E., SSGT, 33621249

SOURCE:

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.

45 3 P MCCULLOCH, STANLEY B., JR., 1LT, 0795794

FE PURNELL, JAMES E., JR., TSGT, 13087889

SOURCE: SO-41 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 3/14/1945 Par. 1

This was an A-26 crew.

43 2 P MITCHELL, KENNETH W., 1LT, 0731630

CP GUBNER, HARRY D., JR., CAPT, 0731574

N CLARK, JIM B., 2LT, 0669006

FE APPELDORN, PHILIP L., SGT, 35650937

RG WALDRIP, CALEY B., TSGT, 14061439

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Apparently Capt Gubner merely flew overseas as a co-pilot. He became the Squadron

Operations Officer. Gubner has another entry as first pilot. Someone at the 1996

reunion gave the names Wexler as navigator and Shiro as co-pilot on Mitchell's crew. A

45 1 P NAUGLE, RICHARD C., 2LT, 0720331

CP TURNER, RALPH F., JR., 2LT, 0833444

B SUTCLIFFE, GEORGE C., F/O

FE WERRA, JOSEPH C., CPL, 36822556

RG AMBER, JOHN B., TSGT, 15072426

AG MORRIS, EUGENE TURNER

SOURCE: Par.

Info provided by Dick Naugle, except that Dave Morris provided the number (44-677924) of the

Aircraft ferried over.

45 2 P NELSON, CECIL L., 2LT, 0719712

CP ERICSON, JOHN W., 2LT, 0833509

N WARBURTON, WARREN A., F/O, T131637

FE FRANK, JACK, CPL, 32879037

RG FETNER, LEO N., 38528919

AG BENEDA, ROBERT H., CPL, 16138685

SOURCE: SO-23, 391ST BG 2/10/45 Par. 2

44 9 P NOLAND HOWARD H., 2LT, 0705412

CP BUSTLE, JAMES R., F/O, T-125306

B KENNAIR, THOMAS J., 2LT, 0712163

FE CRIDER, JACOB E., SSGT, 35482133

RG TERRIAN, WARREN E., CPL, 16089427

AG TALLEY, JAMES E., CPL, 17053378

SOURCE: SO-220 HQS AAB, Barksdale Field, LA 8/7/44 Par. 21

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.

43 P O'HARE, DONALD D., 1LT, 0735810

CP DAPRATO, ROBERT F., F/O, T122880

FE FOSTER, JAMES M., SGT, 34526666

RG WEIS, JERRY E., TSGT, 19080569

AG BATES, CALVIN L., SSGT, 19049133

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

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.

43 2 P OLFSON, JUNIOR W., 2LT, 0525673

CP COFFIN, CHARLES H., 2LT, 0693633

B LANFORD, EDWIN H., 2LT, 0666683

FE RICE, RAYMOND J., PVT, 19056906

RG NEWTON, JAMES A., TSGT, 32328795

AG ARMSTRONG, STERLING D.,SGT, 15104653

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

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.

44 P PETRICH, MICHAEL R., 1LT, 0684039

CP SULLIVAN, ROBERT B., 2LT, 0669809

B INSLEY, EDWIN G., TSGT, 33064534

FE MARTEL, ERNEST, TSGT, 31150127

RG AMBROSE, BRIAN B., SSGT, 34240010

AG READ, ROBERT R., SSGT, 32058677

SOURCE: Par.

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.

45 2 P RILEY, JACK E., 2LT, 0721212

CP MALIDORE, RONALD E., F/O, T130437

N COOKE, RICHARD L., F/O, T132567

FE SLIWA, WALTER S., CPL, 32933821

RG QUERNER, CHARLES B., CPL, 38515657

AG SMITH, WILLIAM B., CPL, 36757688

SOURCE: SO-23, 391ST BG 2/10/45 Par. 2

43 P RUBLE, JAMES C., 1LT, 01699365

CP TAVENER, CLARK A., 2LT, 0757331

FE MILLER, FRANCIS W., SGT, 33187117

RG SHREVES, FORREST E., SGT, 37506082

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

44 P RUTLEDGE, EUGENE (NMI) 2LT, 0672682

CP MARTIN, ROBERT J., 2LT, 0691583

B WYLDER, EDWARD J., 2LT, 0744170

FE SHANNON, HARRY O., SGT, 16055819

RG PAULIS, STANLEY R., SSGT, 36447601

AG WHITE, GEORGE D., SGT, 12155697

SOURCE: SO-98 AAF STA AAF-236 4/10/1944 Par. 3

The tail number of the aircraft ferried over comes from SO-37, Hqs 3rd AF Staging Wing,

Hunter Field, 02/06/44.

43 P SAMUEL, JOHN S., MAJ, 021742

CP WILKINSON, EDWARD S., 2LT, 0795542

FE MATTHEWS, JOHN J. F., SGT, 32491739

RG GALLO, LARRY F., SGT, 33429374

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Col Samuel's mission aircraft on 05/20/44 (42-107740) was so badly flak damaged that it

had to be sent to the service squadron. He flew over in 42-95848. Wilkinson is shown as a

first pilot on the Mission #4 taxi sheet.

44 P SAUNDERS, ROBERT M., 2LT, 0690258

CP ALBERT, KENNETH D., 2LT, 0689003

B MAZURK, MARTIN K., 2LT, 0712193

FE WILKES, JOHN J., JR., SSGT, 39183822

RG RAEF, LEONARD E., SSGT, 18078365

SOURCE:

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.

43 2 P SCHIRMER, LAWRENCE F., 1LT, 0731678

CP CUDE, RICHARD V., 2LT, 0692537

B HESTERLY, WAYNE H., 2LT, 0666038

N BASS, WILLIAM R., 1LT, 0668997

FE MILLER, EDWIN J., SSGT, 37122857

RG VANSICKLE, CHESTER L., TSGT, 16013335

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

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..

44 4 P SCHREIBER, LEONARD A., 2LT, 0672882

CP CARPENTER, EARL S., 2LT, 0689206

B GARSIDE, JOHN A., 2LT, 0671339

FE RANDALL, FRANKLIN J., SGT, 31139543

RG PINTO, ANTHONY (NMI), SSGT, 31276797

AG WILSON, JOHN W., SGT, 33581415

SOURCE: SO-98 AAF STA AAF-236 4/10/1944 Par. 3

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.

44 9 P SHARP, DONALD N., 2LT, 0686499

CP OUELLETTE, EDWARD J., JR., 2LT, 0823927

B HAWKINSON, WILLIAM D., 2LT,0704289

FE GILBERT, GLYNN T., CPL, 38419335

RG VON CASTELBERG, EDWARD H., SGT, 32867810

AG DOYAL, GLENN E., SGT

SOURCE: SO-241 AAF STA AAF-236 9/6/1944 Par. 2

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.

43 P SMITH, RAYMOND B., 2LT, 0795846

CP ERICKSON, CLARENCE V., 2LT, 0692773

B MCCUTCHEON, R. D., JR., 2LT, 0534471

FE MARTIN, E. L., SSGT, 18180847

RG BRIDGEWATER, B. B., TSGT, 14188175

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field, KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Smith flew over in 42-95854. The source order shows a second flight engineer, Dominic

M. Passarella, Sgt, 32714843, as flying over with Smith.

43 1 P STALNAKER, GEORGE W., MAJ, 023784

CP ALDRIDGE, WILLIAM S., 1LT, 0731780

N WILLIAMS, EDGAR G., 1LT, 0791015

FE FRITZ, JOHNS M.,S SGT, 36449712

RG KROL, HENRY M., TSGT, 31097827

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Lt Col Stalnaker was the 575th CO. He was shot down on 07/08/44, flying in 42-95821.

The softback history states that there were 8 survivors. The hardback history names

the following crew, in addition to then Capt Williams: 2Lt Eugene R. Squier and

SSgt Stanley W. Miller of Harkins's crew; 1Lt Francis J. Murphy; 1Lt Jim B. Clark

of Mitchell's crew; TSgt Richard B. Smith of Don Wolfe's crew; and SSgt Lloyd V.

Alexander. At the 1996 reunion, Col Stalnaker indicated that Aldridge was "A" Flight

Commander, and he wrote the following contribution, "Stanley Miller was both

Stalnaker's & Harkins' regular turret gunner. Alexander was not my regular crew

member, but a fill-in. Capt Williams was sqdn navigator & 1st Lt F J Murphy was

sqdn bombardier. Lt Squier was not my regular co-pilot. In fact I used different ones

on a number of missions. TSgt Smith filled in for my regular radio operator, Tom

Lawson, who was wounded on a previous mission. Jim Clark was aboard as

"G" navigator. This made an 8-man crew for lead aircraft." Col Stalnaker flew over in

42-95849.

44 P SULLIVAN, LEROY R., 2LT, 0806168

CP HOBSON, JOHN A., 2LT, 0688821

B IVORY, RICHARD E., LT, 0749906

FE PETERSON, KENNETH D., SSGT, 37220369

RG ROBERGE, JOSEPH F. TSGT, 31265792

AG BYNG, VIRGIL F. SSGT, 36815269

SOURCE: Par.

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.

43 P TAVENER, CLARK A., 1LT, 0757331

CP CASTLE, MARK W., 2LT, 0927500

B WILKINSON, PATRICK H., 1LT, 0666110

FE WYNNE, JOSEPH W., TSGT, 15068360

RG MCGETTIGAN, JOHN F., CPL, 33791127

AG DICK, FRANK D., CPL, 19180100

SOURCE: Par.

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.

44 9 P TIMBERS, ROBERT R., 2LT, 0760923

CP SHIELDS, DANIEL L., 2LT, 0823465

B MILES, FRANCIS L., 2LT 0703566

FE MOLLOY, EUGENE P., CPL, 11128203

RG RATLIFF, ROBERT E., CPL, 17127866

AG MOORE, RALPH W., SSGT, 20815159

SOURCE: SO-121 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 9/13/1944 Par. 12

43 1 P TUCKER, TOMMY F., 1LT, 0668164

CP GOODWIN, DEXTER B., 2LT, 0693369

FE MCDOWELL, CHARLES H. SSGT, 20756301

RG GERWEN, NATHAN W., SGT, 35541510

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field,KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

A second radio-gunner, SSgt Robert H. Blackstone, 32479418, flew over with this crew

according to the source order. He was killed on 8 Jul 44, flying with the 322nd BG, and

is buried in the Normandy Cemetery. The aircraft for the flight over was 42-95844.

43 2 P WHITMORE, LUCIAN R., 2LT, 0668170

CP WINTERBOTTOM, GEORGE C., 2LT, 0796933

N WECHSLER, HOWARD (NMI), 2LT, 0797108

FE ELLINGTON, JACKIE L., SSGT, 18080141

SOURCE: SO-64 Hqs 391st Bomb Group, Myrtle Beach 6/3/1943 Par. 2

These crew members flew together on a ferry mission per the source order. Crew

positions are assumed based upon listing order. I have no way of knowing whether they

flew together regularly, but so far I have not found them listed elsewhere.

44 7 P WILLIS, JAMES B., 2LT, 0687358

CP VAUGHAN, WALTER F., JR., 2LT, 0764842

B VURGAROPULOS, JOHN C., 2LT, 0765759

FE RAUSCH, DEAN H., SGT, 36650622

RG KULWIN, DONALD, CPL, 16169001

AG KARTCHNER, KENNETH A., SGT, 39906089

SOURCE: SO-95 Hqs 391st Bomb Group 7/29/1944 Par. 5

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.

43 2 P WOLFE, DONALD H., 2LT, 0523463

CP KIRSCHKE, WILLIAM H. E., 2LT, 0693926

FE SEXTON, CARL A., SSGT, 15083465

RG SMITH, RICHARD B., SGT, 20314269

SOURCE: SO-345 HQS AAB Godman Field, KY 12/24/1943 Par. 1

Wolfe flew over in 42-95846.