Categorie: Ardennes

Rank and Name, Technical Sergeant William Harvie Allen Jr.

Unit/Placed, 349^th Bomber Squadron, 100^th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

William was born on July 29, 1923 in , McDade, Bastrop County, Texas.

Father, William Harvie Allen.

Mother, Elma (Degladon) Allen.

Sister(s), Helen Louise Allen.

Wife, Naomi (Nance) Allen.

Daughter, Sherran Elaine Allen.

William enlisted the Army Air Force in Ft. Sam Houston, Texas on Feb. 8, 1942 with service number # 38367848.

Willam’s rank/duty was a Technical Sergeant/Radio Operator flying with the 349^th Bomber Squadron flying a  B-17.

 

William’s crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were;

2nd Lt.      Edward P. Mckeague   Pilot

2^nd Lt.       Frank A. Ritter           Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.       Stelious M. Louros       Navigator

T/Sgt.       Evan B. Peters            Bombardier

Sgt.           George H. Pennman     Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.       William H. Allen Jr.     Radio Operator

Sgt.           James L. Swafford       Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.       Alfred M. Hudnall       Left Waist Gunner

Sgt.           Robert Gallagher         Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.           Joseph Pellegrino        Tail Gunner

William was KIA during the Mission, the plane was hit by Flak what brought the motor on fire and on their way home multiple fires on the engines took place, and the plane crashed in the North Sea, off Calais on June 12, 1944, William is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Hearth, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

William is buried/mentioned at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial  Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège,Belgium.

Tablets of the Missing.

William also ha a Memorial Grave at Elgin City Cemetery

Elgin, Bastrop County, Texas, USA.

Thanks to; https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&Itemid=334&id=60

https://goodwinsands.org.uk/the-fate-of-the-good-ship-miss-lollipop/

https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-97883-miss-lollipop/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G73L-7SR

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

TWS Roll of Honor, togetherweserved.com

Rank and Name, Staff Sergeant Albert Wayne Lain.

Unit/Placed in, 515th Bomber Squadron, 376th Bomber Group (Heavy).

Albert was born. on 10 December 1922 in Cleburne, Johnson County, Texas.

Father, Mayer Lindley Lain.

Mother, Ora Edwards Johnson.

Spouse, Juanita J. Lain.

Albert enlisted in the service on Oct. 3, 1942 at Texas with service number# 18187319.

Albert W. Lain was a Staff Sergeant (Nose Gunner) in the 515th Bomber Squadron.

Albert‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24  were,

2nd Lt.         Frank P. Marcus                Pilot

2nd Lt.         Marshal V. Peterson           Co-Pilot

2nd Lt.         Charles H.  MacNelly          Navigator

2nd Lt.         Donald L.  Schoelein           Bombardier

S.Sgt            Charles C. Gibson               Tail Gunner

S.Sgt            George R. “Bud” Keyes       Waist Gunner

S.Sgt            A. W. Lain                        Nose Gunner

S.Sgt            Carlton E.  Willes              Ball Turret Gunner

                       William F. Fahr                     Radio Operator

                       George G. Hadfield            Engineer

Albert was KIA during the High altitude bombing mission to Bratislava,  Czechoslovakia when his Station was hit by 20mm shells on Jun, 16, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

Albert is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial

Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Thanks to http://376hbgva.com

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

TWS Roll of Honor, togetherweserved.com

 

376th Bomber Group (Heavy)

Group Firsts

• 1st Heavy Bomb Group to be based on European Continent
• Oldest Bomb Group operating overseas
• 1st Bomb Group to bomb European Continent
• 1st Bomb Group over Ploesti, High Altitude 6/12/42
• 1st USAAF Bombers to hit Italian Fleet, 6/15/42
• 1st over Naples, 12/4/42
• 1st Rome Raid, 7/19/43
• 1st over Ploesti Low Level, 8/1/43
• 1st over Wiener- Neustadt, 8/13/43

A Brief History

Following the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the Army Air Forces to mount retaliatory raids on the Japanese home islands. A task force, commanded by Colonel Harry E. Halverson and composed of 231 officers and enlisted men and 23 B-24D Liberator bombers, was assembled at Fort Myers, Florida. The unit was given the code name “HALPRO” for Halverson Project. This organization, destined to be the parent unit of the 376th Bombardment Group, departed the United States on 20 May 1942 to begin attacks on Japanese targets from a base located in China. When HALPRO arrived in the Middle East, the unit learned that its’ proposed base had been captured by Japanese forces. To make matters worse, the German Afrika Korps under General Erwin Rommel was poised to attack Allied forces in North Africa.

HALPRO was quickly diverted from its’ original mission to a new one: interdictory raids from airfields in Egypt against shipping and North African ports supporting Axis operations. On 20 June 1942, the Halverson Project was dissolved and the organization was renamed the First Provisional Bombardment Group. In subsequent organizational change, all First Provisional personnel and B-24s were transferred to the newly activated 376th Heavy Bombardment Group. The order became effective on 31 October 1942 and as a subsequent gesture of unit identity, members of the 376th adopted the nickname “Liberandos”. Rapid build-up of personnel and aircraft in early 1943 resulted in the formation of a fully formed group composed of the 512th, 513th, 514th and 515th Squadrons.

Attacks by the fledgling 376th, the first heavy bombardment group to operate in the Middle East Theater, were focused on Axis supply lines between Italy and North Africa, airfields, and port facilities. Later, longer range raids were made against oil refineries, marshalling yards, and ordinance factories in Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. The Liberandos were also chosen to lead four other B-24 bombardment groups on the daring 1 August 1943 low level raid against Romania’s Ploesti Oil Fields. After the liberation of North Africa late in 1943, the Group moved to San Pancrazio, Italy where it participated in an accelerated campaign against Axis targets in southern Europe and the Balkans. Group sorties extended as far as Vienna, Austria and Regensburg, Germany.

During four years of operations, the 376th and its parent units became integral elements of the 9th, 12th, and 15th Air Forces. The Group flew 451 missions, was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations and earned 15 campaign awards. The Liberandos destroyed 220 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and suffered casualties totalling 1479 officers and enlisted personnel and 169 aircraft.

Name and Rank,  First Lieutenant Herman Joseph Adolfae.

Unit/placed, 313th Squadron, 31st Air Transport Group.

 

Herman was born on May 11, 1911 in Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.

Father, Herman J. Adolfae.

Stepfather, George H. Holzbauer.

Mother, Jennie E. (Smith) Adolfae.

Sister, Alice E. Adolfae.

Halfsister, Isabelle, Opal E. and Juanita R. Holzbauer.

Halfbrother, George H. Holzbauer.

Spouse, Helen L. Adolfae.

Hermans entered  the service from Missouri with service number # O-887746.

Herman rank/duty was a First Lieutenant/Pilot in the 313th Squadron, 31^st Air Transport Group.

Herman J. Adolfae was Killed in Action presumed to have been shot down by AA near Dunkirk, France on Oct. 24, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

.

Herman is mentioned/buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Tablets of the Missing

Thanks to, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transport_Command

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

TWS Roll of Honor, togetherweserved.com

Name and Rank, Staff Sergeant Nathan Iacobacci.

Unit/Placed in, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Nathan was born on Jan. 10, 1922 in New York.

Father, Candido Iacobacci.

Mother, Mary (Siniscolchi) Iacobacci.

Sisters, Nancy, Anna, Edith, Helen, Rose, Ernestina, Catherine and Patricia Iacobacci.

Brothers, Frank and Michael Iacobacci.

 

Nathan entered  the Service from Newark, in  Jan. 7, 1943 with service number # 32605688.

 

Nathan Iacobacci was a Radio Operator/Gunner  (B-24) in the 831th Bomber Squadron .

 

Nathan‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

1st Lt.          Robert F. Sloan                 Pilot

2nd Lt.         Wallace W. Herzfeldt   Co Pilot

2nd Lt.         Harry W. Pritchard           Navigator

2nd Lt.         Robert H. Pump                Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Joseph P. DeMaster        Engineer/Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Nathan Iacobacci             Radio Operator/Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Robert G. Sinclair             Top Turret Gunner

Sgt.              Charles F. Buczinski         Nose Gunner

Sgt.              William F. Migle                  Tail Gunner

Sgt.              Glenn C.Shaw                      Ball Turret Gunner

 

Nathan Iacobacci was Killed in Action near Bucharest, Rumania, on June 28, 1944, and he is honored with an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

 

Nathan is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

 

Thanks to 485th http://www.485thbg.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil

Name and Rank, Staff Sergeant Julius V. Naber.

Unit/Placed in, 68th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Julius was born on March 17, 1921 in Spirit Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa.

Father, John Casper Naber.

Mother, Clara Mathilda (Long) Naber.

Sister, Eileen Joseph Naber.

Brothers, Baby, Lawrence John, Jesse Leander, Leonard Valentine, Jerome Francis and James Joseph Naber.

 

Julius entered  the Service from Minnesota with service number # 37263649.

 

Julius V. Naber was a Ball Turret Gunner in the 68th Bomber Squadron.

 

Julius‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

2nd Lt.         Glenn H. Sweigart    Pilot

2nd Lt.         Floyd H. Greene Jr.  Co Pilot

2nd Lt.         John W. Turocy       Navigator

1st Lt.          Gilma N. Roberts     Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Lamer McWhorter    Engineer

S/Sgt.           John W. Le Vake      Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Julius V. Naber        Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.           Harold F. Koelher     Left Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Homer M. Tiller       Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Albert H. Nome       Tail Turret Gunner

 

7 Crewmembers were Killed, 3 Bailed out and became POW.

 

Julius was Killed in Action when the plane was hit by FLAK near the target area and blew up over Hannover, on Apr. 29, 1944, and he is honored with an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

 

Julius is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

He is got a Memorial Grave at Calvary Cemetery

Marshall, Lyon County, Minnesota, USA.

 

Thanks to http://www.8thairforce.com/44thbg/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LTRG-LCG

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Name and Rank, Staff Sergeant Howard J. Waldrop.

Unit/Placed in, 565th Bomber Squadron, 389th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Howard was born on 1916 in Jefferson County, Alabama.

Father, Latta William Waldrop.

Mother, Lena Bell (Gardner) Waldrop.

Brothers, Latta Thomas , and William J. Waldrop.

Spouse, Mary Elizabeth (Thornton) Waldrop.

Son, Dan Waldrop.

 

Howard entered  the Service from Ft McClellan, Alabama, in Aug. 24, 1943 with service number # 34814519.

 

Howard J. Waldrop was a Nose Gunner (B-24H) in the 565th Bomber Squadron .

 

Howard s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

2nd Lt.         Marion A. Hutchens  Pilot

2nd Lt.         Arthur M. Janis            Co Pilot

2nd Lt.         Herman Greenspan  Bombardier

T/Sgt.          Arthur J. Ricci               Radio Operator

T/Sgt.          Gordon W. Ice              Engineer

S/Sgt.           Howard J. Waldrop  Nose Gunner

S/Sgt.           Elmer E. Kay               Right Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           James Purdie Jr.       Left Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Peter P. Miller            Tail Gunner

 

Howard was KIA on a Mission to Wahlen, Germany flew on 1 motor, the plane s shot down by Enemy Fighters and crashed near Aachen, he did not used his chute because of his injury’s on Dec. 25, 1944, and he is honored with an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal.

 

And he is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz,
Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

 

Thanks to the 398th.org http://www.398th.org/

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GXLW-P65

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Name and Rank, Private First Class Alfred Francis Cabana.

Unit/Placed in,313rd Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division ”Cross of Lorraine”.

 

Alfred was born approx. on 1910 in Bristol County, Massachusetts.

Father, Albert G. Cabana.

Mother, Emma (Moreau) Cabana.

Brother, George, Samuel, Louis, Wilfred, William and Frederick Cabana.

 

Alfred entered  the service from Massachusetts with service number # 31369586.

 

Alfred F. Cabana was a Private First Class/Soldier in the 313rd Infantry Regiment.

 

Alfred was KIA in the Fights with the Germans on the Siegfried Line, Germany, on Dec. 19, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Marksmanship Badge, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Alfred is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz,

Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

 

Thanks to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/79th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Name and Rank, 1^e Lieutenant John Malcolm Folger.

Unit/placed in, 354th Fighter Squadron, 355th Fighter Group.

 

John was born approx. on 23 Feb. 1922 in Indiana.

Father, Kenneth Folger.

Mother, Claudia M. (Coryell) Folger.

Brother(s), Kenneth Folger.

Spouse, Elizabeth C. (Bufka) Folger.

 

John enlisted  the service at Wisconsin with service number O-758787.

 

John was KIA on the Mission when he was attack by ME-109 and crashed in Belgium Aug 6, 1944, and he is honored with an Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

John is buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

 

Thanks to, http://www.americanairmuseum.com/

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

WW2 Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

Rank and Name, 1e Lieutenant Francis E. Akins.

Unit/placed in, 568^th Bomber Squadron, 390^th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Francis was born  on Aug. 11, 1921 in Derry, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

 

Father, Andrew P. Akins.

Mother, Mary E. (Shrum) Akins.

Sisters, Fidelis, Marie, Bernadette, Loretta, Ann and Janet Akins.

Brothers, Gerald, Charles and Hugh J. Akins.

Wife, Garnett L. (Smith) Akins.

Daughter, Marcia E. Akins.

 

Francis entered  the Service from Pennsylvania with service number # O-8188998.

 

Francis E. Akins rank/duty was a Pilot (B-17) in the 568^th Bomber Squadron.

 

Francis’s crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were;

 

1^st Lt. Francis E. Akins                Pilot

2^nd Lt. Forrest D. Shaw                Co pilot

1. Ely Berenson Navigator

2^nd Lt. Myron S. Merrill                Bombardier

T/Sgt. Marcus L. Shook                Radio Operator

T/Sgt. Frank P. Decillis                Top Turret Gunner

S/Sgt. George MacPhee                Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt. Walter P. Shimshock          Tail Gunner

S/Sgt.          Paul F. Haney          Waist Gunner

Sgt.              James D. Christy     Passenger

 

Francis E. Akins was Killed in Action during the Mission when the plane was attacked and hit by FLAK, on Sep. 18, 1944, and he is honored with the Purple Heart.

 

Francis E. Akins is mentioned/buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

 

Thanks to http://www.framlingham.co.uk/390th.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Medals Forum, https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/

In 1978, the townspeople of Lomianki, Poland raised money and erected a memorial, to the crew of the “I’ll Be Seeing You” despite threats from the Communist government. The mayor of the town, Lucjan Sokolowski told of how the townspeople watched the plane crash in a courtyard that night, pulled bodies from the wreckage and how they attempted to hide the survivors, only to see them become prisoners of the Germans. Today, the townspeople of Lomianki typically commemorate these brave men on September 18th of each year.

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Byron Donald Anderson.

Unit/Placed in, 525th Bomber Squadron, 379th Bomber Group, Heavy.

 

Byron is born approx. on 23 April, 1924 in Girard, Pennsylvania.

Father, Byron T. Anderson.

Mother, Bernice Anderson.

Sister(s), Katherine Anderson.

 

Byron enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # O-823779.

 

Byron ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-17 were,

2^nd Lt.          Byron D. Anderson            Pilot

2^nd Lt           John J. Cottier                  Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Shellon H. Widmer             Navigator/Bombardier

S/Sgt.           Charles Charnow               Engineer/Nose Gunner

S/Sgt.           William G. Gonsalves          Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Arthur A. More                 Top Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.           Joseph M. Grimmer           Ball Turret Gunner

S/Sgt.           George E. Tuttle                Waist Gunner

S/Sgt.           Charles W. Fitch                Tail Gunner

 

Byron was KIA when the plane was hit by FLAK and lost 2 engine’s and exploded midair on 5 November, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster,  Purple Heart, United States Aviator Badge, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Byron is buried/mentioned at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial, Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium.

Byron also got 2 Memorial Graves at Girard Cemetery, Girard, Erie County, Pennsylvania, USA.

and Saint John Cemetery, Girard, Erie County, Pennsylvania, USA.

 

Thanks to,

Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com and ww2-europe.com.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Seabees History Bob Smith  https://seabeehf.org/

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano

National Historian

Navy Seal Memorial,  http://www.navysealmemorials.com

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/

WordPress en/of Wooncommerce oplossingen, https://www.siteklusjes.nl/

Military Recovery,  https://www.dpaa.mil/