Jump to content

My Gulf Coast Show Finds, 2 Pins and Airman Portrait


rrobertscv
 Share

Recommended Posts

Just got home from Biloxi, enjoyed the show. The portrait is ID'd as C.D. Easley, got to reasearch him, story is he was a POW. I bought it because I liked it, the story was after the purchase. Wife found the CCC pin, it will go nicely with mu Uncle's other CCC items. The Olympic Pin is in the original box, I am going to get it framed with my Louis Zamperini letter and photos. Also found a 1935 Olympic "Starter" pin issued to someone who would be there to start a race, it is a large size and Nazi marked. Coming home I stopped at a little hole in the wall place and found what the owner said was a 1 Star General's helmet, he was asking $75 dollars, I offered him $40 and he took it. It actually is a WII Japanese helmet with the star, someone painted it black and painted the star gold.

post-285-0-83350900-1428859369.jpg

post-285-0-02789000-1428859382.jpg

post-285-0-10593800-1428859396.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
rrobertscv

Many thanks for all the help from the following people. They went above and beyond. They also included the MACR.

Research by Rob Hutchings / 92nd Bomb Group Historian UK

Data compiled by Candy Brown / 92nd Bomb Group Researcher

Edited by Gregory Alexander / Historian / Archivist 92nd Bomb Group

 

post-285-0-19623500-1430755332.jpg

post-285-0-21323600-1430755341.jpg

 

 

The Easley crew :

1st Lt Charles D Easley-P

2nd Lt Joseph A Pagenkopf-CP

1st Lt William D Husted-N

1st Lt Earl H Gauthier-B

T/Sgt Wilbur P Chambers-R

T/Sgt Basil W Seymore-E

S/Sgt Jack M Guy-BT

S/Sgt Herman Tushka-WG

Pvt Kenneth E Gibbons-WG

S/Sgt Ismael A Yturralde-TG

 

 

Lt. Charles D. Easley’s crew was one of the 8 crews shot down on the April 11, 1944, mission to Stetten, Poland, that was just posted on our 92nd Bomb Group Facebook page

Click on the link below for additional information, photos and comments on the April 11, 1944 Mission

https://www.facebook.com/groups/290301027652024/permalink/1091068150908637/ MACR (Missing Air Crew Report 3674)

 

"11th April, 1944: Mission Number 97 to Stettin, Germany. Industrial Center (T/O); (Sorau, Poland, Primary); one a/c bombed Cottbus. 8 lost; several casualties. Entire mission flown at 15,000 ft. 92nd Bomb Group Led the Division.

 

(Sources): 92nd Bomb Group (H) Fame’s Favored Few –Turner.

92nd Mission List from http://92ndma.org/missions.html

92nd B-17 Aircraft Roster

92nd Bomb Group Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/290301027652024/

 

“The Primary targets for the 1st Division on 11 April were Sorau, Poland, on the Oder River, and Cottbus, Germany, about 15 miles west of the river, both aviation industrial works. Briefing at 06:30 and take-off time 07:25 hours. By 09:00 the Composite Wing – 92nd, 305th and 306th, was assembled at 10,000 feet. Departure at Yarmouth at 15,000 feet, entering the Dutch coast at Ijmuiden with a little flak. Our excellent close escort vanished as Drummer Lake was reached and the replacement was late. The Luftwaffe appeared in force with persistent and vicious attacks. Two of our 17s in the low squadron (325th) were afire as the pilots struggled to keep control, permitting the crews to bail out. One exploded and no chutes seen. Every gun was firing at the attackers, then it slackened as we were nearing Hannover. There was a tremendous barrage of 88 and 105 caliber flak engulfed the formation. On passing Hannover, the fighters reappeared— Intelligence had said the Luftwaffe was almost totally destroyed. Suddenly the Luftwaffe did show but as soon as they had appeared, they disappeared – several groups of P-38s were over us.

 

There were scattered clouds as the formation headed for the IP, but visible ahead was a huge cumulus formation up above our bombing altitude—forgot Sorau as primary. Heading up the Oder River valley the formation picked the synthetic complex at Politz, just west of Stettin. More heavy flak at Stettin with a B-17 in the lead squadron being hit in the bomb bay. The bomb pattern was reasonable with the docks and surrounding structures burning furiously. The coast was left just west of where the Oder enters the Baltic on a course that passed south of Kiel, then across Heligoland. Coast in at Cromer and base reached at 18:00 hours.

 

Of the 8 aircraft not returning, 2, 2nd Lt’s. R. W. Donaher [42-31362 (326th) MACR 3670] and 2 Lt D. H. Schufeldt, 42-31548 (325th) MACR 3671] to Sweden with all interned.

 

Lt. John E. Harris [42-30649 (327th) MACR 3668] crashed near Martinsbucticel all KIA;

 

Lt Charles D. Easley [42-97243 (326th) MACR 3674] crashed near Stargard, Poland, 10 POW;

 

Lt Charles E. Mikesell 42-31587 (325th) MACR 3672 crashed near Kathendorf, 5 KIA, 5 POW;

 

Lt John R. Weaver [42-107044 (325th) MACR 3675] crashed near Alticick, 2 KIA 8 POW;

 

Lt Robert J. Rasmussen [42-97240 (325th) MACR 3673] crashed near Bucholz, 1 evadee, 9 KIA;

 

Lt Earnest L. Fortson [42-31248 (325th) MACR 3669]crashed near Bohnsdorf, 6 KIA, 4 POW.

All 6 of these were as the result of enemy air attacks.”

 

Appendix A: STETTIN, 11 April 1944

 

Mikesell, Charles E; Naugler, Robert A; Shektell, Leon M; Osucha, Edward M; Flint, Melton C; Grundy, Joseph R; Donnelly, Edward G; Clark, Arthur C, Jr.; Williamson, Joseph T; Lape, Francis J; Fortson, Earnest L; Lochocki, Frank A; DeRose, Charles P; Manning, David J; Grant, Clyde W; McDonald, John W; Beck, Robert B; Soriano, Joe; Hobbs, Clyde W; Hodges, George M; Shufeldt, Donald H; Poppell, James M; Tobin, Joseph F; Cuneo, George G; Mercer, James W; Purcell, Kyle W; Paquette, Roland H; Penfield, Samuel L; Magee, James P; Lloyd, Richard G; Weaver, John R, Jr.; Appleby, Samuel V; Miller, Paul V; Donahue, John J; Underwood, James C, Jr.; Bailiff, Bert A; Thomas Robert L; Garcia, Henry; Raine, Woodrow W; Whitford, Robert N; Rasmussen, Robert J; Rios, Trinidad O; Berman, Irving; Palatas, Joseph N; Antonio, Pete J; Rude, Gilman C; Hoh, Robert E; Higgins, Pink M; Neuman, Harold J; McKay, William A; Easley, Charles D; Pugenkopf, Joseph A; Husted, William D; Gauthier, Earl H; Chambers, Wilbur P; Seymore, Basil W; Guy, Jack M; Tushka, Herman; Gibbons, Kenneth E; Yturralde, Ismael A; Donaher, Richard W; Brown, Arthur L; Bohlander, John E; Keller, George W; Sandler, Irving H; Harcourt, Robert L; Kanel, Nicholas W; Ediner, Raymond H; White, Richard G; Finley, Millard F; Harris, John E; Wilson, Milton X; Goodner, Jim B, Jr.; Pettibone, Charles R; Gill, Clinton M; Obechina, Thomas O; Fuller, Roger W; Evans, Howard L; Ball, Jennings A; Cash, Donald L

 

Following information for 11th April, 1944 from 92ndma.org:

Stettin
Tuesday, 11 April 1944
Field Order 323

 

 

Primary

Soreau

A/C plant (target not visible)

Target bombed

Stettin

Industrial area

28 airborne
23 attacked Stettin
1 bombed t/o at 5330N-1450E six minutes later
4 lost to enemy action before target
8 lost to flak, enemy aircraft
0 aborts

1255 time of attack
14,800 feet altitude
11 hours in length

Bombs Dropped
195 100-lb. general purpose
160 100-lb. incendiaries
10 500-lb. general purpose bombs seven minutes after the attack

17 a/c minor damage
2 a/c major damager

10-3-1 are claims

Narrative Report

  1. 50 bundles of USG34 were carried by a/c 1248, which was reported lost before the target.
  2. Bombing accomplished visually. Strike photos reveal concentrated pattern of bomb bursts pinpointed at target GR3591, area covered by .003071/8, 007069/8, 008072/8 and 004073/8. Bomb bursts of other groups were observed east of the above-mentioned area extending as the river. Other bursts were observed on targets of A and B/8. Heavy smoke billowed up above target area to 8,000-10,000 feet. Observation was made from distance of 30 miles, altitude 15,000 feet.
  3. From 50 to 200 enemy aircraft were seen. These were predominantly single-engine types and only about ten twin-engine aircraft were encountered. Areas were as follows: Area A attacked by single-engine aircraft from 1055 hours, position 5228-1000 until 1125 hours, position 5216-1223. Attacks in area were in four phases. The first attack phase consisted of a savage eleven o'clock level attack, consisting of about 30 FW 190s and...attacking in four to six and swept right through low squadron of high group and knocked out two of our Fortresses while scattering the other five. After three more pack attacks, the succeeding attacks concentrated on stragglers and trailing formations. Only 20 mm fire was observed. The subsequent attacks by this swarm, three in number, were made. The sun was at one o'clock. Attacks would develop from one o'clock from this loose swarm and would begin at eleven o'clock. As the fighters closed they described an arc and attack would be pressed home on the flank at nine o'clock and would finally terminate at six o'clock. Then the fighters would swing around in a counter clockwise formation to initiate another cycle's attacks, which would begin at one o'clock from 1500 to 2000 yards out of our formation. A cycle took about seven minutes. The area of the attacks by single engine enemy aircraft 1143 hours, position 5142-1337 until 1148 hours, position 5134-1536. Mostly Me 109s painted to resemble P-51s. Most attacks were mere passes to about 600 yards... Most feints were made from eleven o'clock to one o'clock level, e/a peeling off to under formation as closure became to [sic] near. Area C attacks by twin-engine e/a. One rocket attack reported at twelve o'clock, position 5133-1442, and mostly from six o'clock. Ju 88s and Me 210s were identified at 1112 hours and in area A a tail gunner reports that crew members parachuting from a/c were strafed by 109s. Attacks in general were encountered on the low squadrons and all but two of the claims were from these a/c. Other squadron comparatively unharmed by e/a. Tentative claims are 10 destroyed, 3 probably destroyed, 1 damaged.
  4. Flak encountered on this mission may be described on the whole as very accurate and of moderate intensity. Meagre, inaccurate gunfire was encountered at Ijmuiden on the coast going in, Dümmer Lake, Wittenburg and over Danish peninsula. The Brunswick and Hannover areas moderate to intense accurate gunfire encountered. Over the target of opportunity of Stettin moderate to intense and very accurate flak encountered. Few white bursts of flak were observed in Hannover area. Gunfire may be described as continuously pointed and predicted concentrated bursts.
  5. Weather on today's mission forced this group to attack a TO...Stettin from the Zuider Zee area to 13 East good visibility and 1/10 cloud encountered. From 13 E to just south of Stettin cloud cover increased 8/10-9/10 to prevent official bombing of primary and secondary targets. Over Stettin clouds were 3/10-4/10, but the town was located and bombed through a break in the cloud cover. The tops of these clouds were 12,000 feet, forcing the formation to 3,000 feet above the briefed altitude.
  6. Large, bright flares were seen to come up when friendly fighter support left our formation. We were immediately attacked by e/a. A balloon barrage was observed at Hannover. Large air drome observed at 5319-1353. Smoke screen and air drome seen at 5135-1344. Smoke screen observed at Braunschweig. Most of smoke generators are located on north side of town. Three naval vessels, probably destroyers, observed at 5433-0900 at 1400 hours. A balloon barrage seen at Tohren. 27 single-engine a/c observed on air drome at 5220-1206 and also five large hangars on south side of same air drome.
  7. The 92nd group led the 40th Wing and also had seven a/c fly as low squadron of the high group. All a/c except one bombed visually on the target of opportunity, which was the industrial area of Stettin. One a/c bombed six minutes late due to malfunction of bomb release. Both primary and secondary targets obscured by 8/10 cloud cover. Friendly fighter support was good, but in several areas insufficient to cope with the strong e/a opposition. A/c 649 from this group seen to go down in flames from the first e/a attack just west of Hannover. Four other 17s seen to go down in flames at approximately the same time, six chutes coming from one and five from another. Five other 17s seen to go down in flames at 1105 about twelve miles north of Brunswick. Three of these a/c are believed to be from this group, 044, which exploded; 248, which remained under control long enough for ten chutes to get out; and 587, which went down with left wing on fire. It is believed possibly ten chutes came from this a/c. 17 from 351st group with no apparent damage seen to turn away from formation and head for Sweden at 5430-0655 at 1334 hours. What appeared to be occupied dinghy was observed 14 miles NE of Great Yarmouth at 1718 hours. Eight of our a/c are missing.

 

Formation

The 92nd Bomb Group led the 40th Combat Wing and had seven a/c fly as low squadron of the high group.

Lost Aircraft
Damaged Aircraft

Lead Squadron
326th Squadron

 

978 Q
Makowski/McDonald

914 S
Wenger

141 A
Jones/Belongia

218 G
Koss

227 P
Burkhalter

362 R
Donaher

898 A
Rosenfeld


High Squadron
407th Squadron

 

828 Q
Lively

203 P
Campbell

012 J
Decker

687 M
Leavey

976 Y
Patrick

765 L
Dexter

054 R
Hanson


Low Squadron
327th Squadron

 

713 T
Ogburn

250 B
Robinson

145 K
Hill

101 O
Kincheloe

085 Q
Crooke

635 Y
McNamara

649 X
Harris


Low Squadron of High Composite Group
325th Squadron

 

263 O
Easley

587 G
Mikesell

548 D
Shufeldt

044 L
Weaver

240 P
Rasmussen

851 J
Burdge

248 B
Fortson

Composition of Force

  1. 40th CBW
  2. 1st CBW - fly abreast and guide right
  3. 94th A CBW
  4. 94th B CBW - fly abreast and guide right
  5. 41st A CBW
  6. 41st B CBW - fly abreast and guide right
    including 1 box from the 1st CBW

Group Bombardier's Report

Bombing accomplished visually on a target of opportunity with good results.
The bomb sight of the lead bombardier was synchronized with MP2 [sic], reference point 015054/8.

On the bomb run extremely accurate flak not only bounced the lead a/c around in the air viciously, but one fragment entered the AFCE set, destroying it and causing a shallow dive.
This left the lead bombardier trying to accomplish a manual run.
On this manual run a very close burst of gunfire tilted the a/c more than 20 degrees from position and tumbled the bombsight gyro, resulting in a loss of the horizon.

Claims

Sgt. Roland H. Paquette - 325 Sq - BT
pilot Shufeldt
Me 109
Hamburg area
corroborated by Samuel Penfield - LE
considered destroyed

2 Lt. William Groover - 325 Sq - B
pilot Burdge
FW 190
Brunswick
corroborated by Lt. George C. Trombetta - N
probable

2 Lt. William Groover - 325 Sq - B
pilot Burdge
Brunswick
corroborated by Lt. Geo. C. Trombetta - N and Samuel J. Williams - T
considered destroyed

S/Sgt. Armand A. Larivee - 325 Sq - E
pilot Burdge
FW 190
Brunswick
considered damaged

S/Sgt. Armand A. Larivee - 325 Sq - E
pilot Burdge
FW 190
Brunswick
corroborated by Samuel J. Williams - T
considered destroyed

Sgt. Walter P. Nicodemus - 326 Sq - E
pilot Rosenfeld
Me 109
corroborated by Sgt. Jones W. Cook - T
considered destroyed

S/ Paul Q. Tumblan - 327 Sq - TG
pilot Ogburn
FW 190
Near Brunswick
corroborated by S/Sgt. Jack Meyer - BTG and S/Sgt. E.W. Bill - LW
considered destroyed

T/Sgt. Norman P. Harvey - 327 Sq - E
pilot Kincheloe
Me 109
location 5228N-1150E
corroborated by S/Sgt. Harley A. Jacobs - T and S/Sgt. Walter E. Gillespie - R
considered destroyed

S/Sgt. James C. Hahn - 327 Sq - LW
pilot Robinson
FW 190
Brunswick
corroborated by S.M. Gosnell - E and E.C. Richmond - T
considered destroyed

S/ Lloyd E. Lyons - 327 Sq - E
pilot Hill
FW 190
corroborated by Edward C. Norton - LW
considered destroyed

T/Sgt. Samuel M. Gosnell - 327 Sq - E
pilot Robinson
FW 190
Brunswick
corroborated by G.D. Robinson - P - and James C. Hahn - LW
considered destroyed

T/ Glenn C. Ellis, Jr. - 326 Sq - E
pilot Wenger
Me 109
near Brunswick
corroborated by S/Sgt. Harry A. Brunson - T and Lt. R.R. Rahlff - B
considered destroyed

Sgt. Edwin F. Bergman 327 Sq - E
pilot McNamara
FW 190
location 5226N-0900E
corroborated by 2 Lt. George H. Ahrens - N
considered destroyed

Sgt. Jos. T. Topoloski - 327 Sq - B
pilot Kincheloe
FW 190
position 5233N-1035E
corroborated by 1 Lt. James B. Fagin - N, 1 Lt. William P. Kincheloe - P
probably destroyed

Cpl. Vernon R. Arras - 327 Sq - B
pilot Robinson
Me 109
Brunswick
corroborated by Rosenberger - N
probably destroyed

Losses

325th Squadron

a/c B-17 231248 B
carried 50 bundles of leaflets
down in flames
seen to remain under control long enough for ten chutes to get out

 

2 Lt. Earnest L. Fortson

P

K

2 Lt. Frank K. Lochocki

C

P

2 Lt. Charles. B. DeRose

N

K

2 Lt. David J. Manning

B

K

S/Sgt. John W. McDonald

E

K

Sgt. Clyde W. Grant

R

P

S/Sgt. Robert B. Beck

BT

P

Sgt. Joe NMI Soriano

RW

K

Sgt. Clyde W. Hobb

LW

P

Sgt. George M. Hodges

T

K

a/c B-17 297243 O
camera ship
all POWs

 

1 Lt. Charles D. Easley

P

 

2 Lt. Joseph A. Pheenkoph

C

1 Lt. William D. Husted

N

1 Lt. Earl L. Gauthier

B

T/Sgt. Basil W. Seymore

E

T/Sgt. Wilbur P. Chambers

R

S/Sgt. Jack M. Guy

BT

Pvt. Kenneth E. Gibbons

RW

S/Sgt. Herman NMI Tushka

LW

S/Sgt. Ismael A. Yturralde

T

a/c B-17 231587 G
last seen with wing on fire about 12 miles north of Brunswick about 1105
at the time it was thought ten chutes were seen

 

2 Lt. Charles E. Mikesell

P

K

2 Lt. Robert A. Naugler

C

K

2 Lt. Leon M. Shektell

N

K

2 Lt. Edward M. Osucha

B

P

S/Sgt. Joseph R. Grundy

E

P

S/Sgt. Milton C. Flint

R

P

Sgt. Edward G. Donnelly

BT

K

Sgt. Joseph T. Williamson

RW

K

Sgt. Arthur C. Clark

LW

P

Sgt. Francis J. Lape

T

P

a/c B-17 297240 P

 

2 Lt. Robert J. Rasmussen

P

P Click on link for information

2 Lt. Trinidad O. Rios

C

P

2 Lt. Irving NMI Berman

N

P

F/O Joseph M. Baladoas

B

P

S/Sgt. Gilman C. Rude

E

E?

S/Sgt. Pete J. Antonino

R

P

Sgt. Robert E. Hoh

BT

P

Sgt. Harold J. Neuman

RW

P

Sgt. Pink M. Higgins

LW

P

Sgt. William A. McKay

T

P

a/c B-17 231548 D
to Sweden

 

2 Lt. Donald J. Shufeldt

P

 

2 Lt. James M. Poppell

C

2 Lt. Joseph F. Tobin

N

2 Lt. George G. Cuneo

B

S/Sgt. Kyle W. Purcell

E

S/Sgt. James W. Mercer

R

Sgt. Roland H. Paquette

BT

Sgt. Samuel L. Penfield

RW

Sgt. James F. Magee

LW

S/Sgt. Richard G. Lloyd

T

a/c B-17 2107044 L
exploded about 12 miles north of Brunswick about 1105

 

1 Lt. John R. Weaver, Jr.

P

P

1 Lt. Samuel V. Appleby

C

K

2 Lt. Paul E. Miller

N

K

2 Lt. John J. Donohue

B

P

S/Sgt. Bert A. Baillif

E

P

T/Sgt. James. C. Underwood

R

P

S/Sgt. Robert L. Thomas

BT

P

Sgt. Henry NMI Garcia

RW

P

Sgt. Woodrow W. Rains

LW

P

S/Sgt. Robert N. Whitford

T

P

326th Squadron

a/c B-17 231362 R
camera ship
to Sweden

 

2 Lt. Richard W. Donaher

P

 

2 Lt. Arthur L. Brown

C

2 Lt. John E. Bohlander

N

F/O George W. Keller

B

S/Sgt. Robert L. Harcourt

E

S/Sgt. Irving H. Sandler

R

Sgt. Nicholas W. Kanel

BT

Sgt. Raymond H. Edinger

RW

Sgt. Richard G. White

LW

Sgt. Millard S. Findley

T

327th Squadron

a/c B-17 230649 X
seen to blow up
all crew KIA

 

 

2 Lt. John E. Harris

P

 

2 Lt. Milton Y. Wilson

C

2 Lt. Jim B. Goodner, Jr.

N

Pvt. Charles R. Pettibone

Tog

S/Sgt. Thomas O. Obechina

E

S/Sgt. Clinton M. Gill

R

Sgt. Robert W. Fuller

BT

Sgt. Jennings A. Ball

RW

Sgt. Howard L. Evans

LW

Sgt. Donald L. Cash

T

 

 

 

Casualties

 

Airman

Squadron

Position

Status

Pilot

1 Lt. Donworth V. Gublar

326

B

W (slight)

Lt. John J. Koss

2 Lt. John E. Launius

326

N

W (slight)

2 Lt. Bernard Rosenfeld

2 Lt. Paul E. Meisenberg

326

B

W (serious)

2 Lt. Bernard Rosenfeld

S/Sgt. David J. Bershee

327

RW

W

2 James B. Robinson

S/Sgt. John R. Kindred

 

The two B-17's that flew to Sweden were #362 Alcohol Annie with 2 Lt. Donaher & # 548 Shu Shu Baby, flown by 2 Lt. Shufeldt.

 

This disaster was the greatest yet suffered by any one squadron in any one mission. (On March 23rd, the 326th Squadron had lost 4 aircraft over Berlin; the 327th Squadron had lost 3 at Schweinfurt, on October 14th, 1943).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...