14 February 1945 -- Mission #237 -- Target: Magdeburg

14 February 1945 Mission #237 Target: Magdeburg

Because of continued poor bombing weather over Europe, various plans with target options were chosen for missions on this day. These multiple plans complicated the aircrew briefings to a greater extent than usual. For example, Plan "A" called for a strike against an industrial complex at Meschede; Plan "B" assigned the marshalling yards at Chemnitz; and, Plan "C" specified the oil complex at Magdeburg once more for bombing. At 0415 to 0530, (30) crews were briefed on all three options. Approximately thirty minutes before take-off was scheduled, Plan "C" was designated as "go" and ships began to roll at 0810 hours. Once again, weather over the Continent forced the Group aircraft to climb above 24,000 feet just before the IP. On the bomb run, an armament malfunction caused the entire lead squadron to release bombs some (25) miles out from the target. The other two squadrons continued to make their runs over the marshalling yards with fair results being accomplished from the (316) 500# weapons dropped by H2X methods. Friendly fighter support was rated as very good and once more no enemy aircraft were engaged. Flak was moderate and somewhat inaccurate but (8) returning bombers were damaged by AA fire. A total of (2) bombers were lost on this raid, but, fortunately, all crew members escaped injuries. From the 576th, Lieutenant Kelley was forced to crash land in a field between Wending and Shipdham and Lieutenant Prater’s crew from the 577th, landing with one engine out and low on fuel, had the right gear collapse causing the bomber to slide off the runway. Two other crews were also forced to land on the Continent because of fuel shortages. These were Lieutenant Barnes’ from the 579th in ship #788 (F for Freddie) and Lieutenant Osojnicki’s crew in #697 (F+ for Freddie) from the 577th. All other ships managed to land at Wendling around 1440 hours.

2/Lt John B. Kelly landed #42-95272, Pursuit of Happiness, with one engine out and low fuel.
It slid off the runway after the landing gear collapsed.

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
14 FEBRUARY 1945

MISSION #237 Target: Magdeburg

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 387

P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt.
CP McGill, C.L. 2nd Lt.
N Cline, A.P. F/O
B Feldman, P. 2nd Lt.
R Reynolds, J.R. S/Sgt.
E VanDeven, J.K. S/Sgt.
RW Holland, J.R. S/Sgt.
LW Parker, R.J. S/Sgt.
TG Adkins, J.E. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 916

P Markuson, C.O. 2nd Lt.
CP Hutchcroft, H.W. 2nd Lt.
N Maceyra, E. 2nd Lt.
B Hunter, E.R. S/Sgt.
R Burke, J.E. T/Sgt.
E Cain, P.L. T/Sgt.
RW Monaghan, T.D. S/Sgt.
LW Howard, J.B. S/Sgt.
TG Horn, J.E. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 299

P Proctor, H.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Russell, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Plagenhoef, S.C. 2nd Lt.
B Wade, T.E. Sgt.
R Kerfoot, D.A. Sgt.
E Sevier, R.M. Pvt.
RW Gill, J.B. Sgt.
LW Kouzes, G. Sgt.
TG Dippel, W.L. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 302

P Sommers, O.L. 1st Lt.
CP McFarland, J.D. 1st Lt.
N Judd, G.C. 1st Lt.
B Streicher, H.P. 1st Lt.
R Fender, J.F. T/Sgt.
E Drummond, W.D. T/Sgt.
RW O'Kane, R.P. S/Sgt.
LW McNeill, C.A. S/Sgt.
TG Luciano, S. S/Sgt.
S-27 Steffen, N.W. T/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 770

P Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Berkley, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Byrnes, W.B. 2nd Lt.
B Colquhoun, R.N. S/Sgt.
R Waggener, L.R. S/Sgt.
E Hough, J.F. M/Sgt.
RW Anastos, G. S/Sgt.
LW Tracy, R.D. S/Sgt.
TG Moffa, A.J. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 659

P Peterson, T.W. 1st Lt.
CP Rohe, J.M. 1st Lt.
N Damerst, W.A. 2nd Lt.
B Lawson, R.F. 2nd Lt.
R Green, C.H. T/Sgt.
E Bruney, G.L. T/Sgt.
RW Hankins, T.E. S/Sgt.
LW Mitchell, D.F. Pvt.
TG Hoffman, G.A. S/Sgt.
PN Miller, S. 1st Lt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 194

P Novik, A.J. 1st Lt.
CP Graves, J.H. 1st Lt.
N Leonard, A.C. 1st Lt.
B Graves, R.H. S/Sgt.
R Hildebrand, R.O. T/Sgt.
E DiMarco, F.J. T/Sgt.
RW Watkins, M.F. S/Sgt.
LW Cheshire, W.T. Sgt.
TG Buckley, C.A. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 272

P Kelly, J.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Vaughan, D. F/O
N Coleman, A.D. 2nd Lt.
B D'Ambrosio, M.J. Cpl.
R McElroy, V.E. Cpl.
E Yost, D.A. Cpl.
RW Zielke, W.P. Cpl.
LW Poremba, S.J. Cpl.
TG Reardon, D.J. Cpl.
RCM Appel, H.S. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 340

P Ross, J.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Crane, F.D. 2nd Lt.
N Richner, G.C. F/O
B Hester, T.C. S/Sgt.
R Agnew, T.S. S/Sgt.
E Albright, H.B. S/Sgt.
RW Brooks, V.B. S/Sgt.
LW Blackburn, W.F. S/Sgt.
TG Arnold, E.S. S/Sgt.
RCM Simpson, V.H. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 118 Y+

P Scott, D.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt.
N Tucker, R.A. 2nd Lt.
B Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt.
R Berger, S. T/Sgt.
E Karas, J. T/Sgt.
RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt.
LW Jordan, V.A. 2nd Lt.
TG McKee, S.P. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 448

P Majesky, A.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Wanner, G.L. 2nd Lt.
N Vought, E.I. F/O
B Zuckert, J.S. 2nd Lt.
R Ivey, M.A. S/Sgt.
E Patton, F.M. S/Sgt.
RW Esenwein, E.R. Sgt.
LW Harrow, K.J. S/Sgt.
TG Martin, J.F. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 898

P Myers, C.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Anderson, K.W. 2nd Lt.
N Warntz, W. F/O
B Zgurich, E.E. 2nd Lt.
R Jaklinski, B. Sgt.
E Payton, J.B. S/Sgt.
RW Thornton, A.H. S/Sgt.
LW Gillette, R.E. Sgt.
TG Kirk, G.A. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 697

P Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Schoellerman, M.L. 2nd Lt.
N Ashen, G.T. 2nd Lt.
B Thompson, W.H. Jr. Sgt.
R Reidy, H.J. Sgt.
E Sacher, P. Cpl.
RW Ortega, J. Jr. Sgt.
LW Weatherbie, L.K. Sgt.
TG McCormick, D.E. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 390

P Prater, W.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Levin, R.J. 2nd Lt.
N Pilcher, W.L. 2nd Lt.
B Venuti, L.C. Sgt.
R Killian, C.J. Sgt.
E Lawrence, L.J. Sgt.
RW Kegler, S.D. Sgt.
LW Healey, J. Sgt.
TG Deshantz, D. Sgt.
S-27 Krohn, O.G. T/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 792

P Dodson, G.H. 2nd Lt.
CP LeFevre, L.P. 2nd Lt.
N Fletcher, W.J. 2nd Lt.
B Hochard, H.H. Sgt.
R Green, J.M. S/Sgt.
E Herrera, D.R. S/Sgt.
RW Allendorf, V.G. Sgt.
LW Peterson, F.H. Sgt.
TG Jenkins, C.E. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 901

P Jackson, C.J. 1st Lt.
CP Parrish, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Pillsbury, A.A. 2nd Lt.
B Wolfe, P.G. S/Sgt.
R Paren, J.H. S/Sgt.
E Jenkins, J.H. Sgt.
RW Korb, L.J. S/Sgt.
LW Webb, J.H. S/Sgt.
TG Roe, W.L. Sgt.
RCM Cauchon, L.V. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 313

P Bell, W.M. 1st Lt.
CP Pope, C.H. 1st Lt.
N Cole, R.W. 1st Lt.
NT Bross, J.H. S/Sgt.
R Louizides, S. T/Sgt.
E Morse, J.H. T/Sgt.
RW Case, R.F. S/Sgt.
LW Onstot, P.O. S/Sgt.
TG Divers, C.B. S/Sgt.
RCM Hill, T.J. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 241

P Walker, J.R. 1st Lt.
CP Casstevens, R.C. 2nd Lt.
N Donohue, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Pataki, S.M. S/Sgt.
R Brown, J.C. T/Sgt.
E Thomas, C.B. T/Sgt.
RW Faucette, E.W. S/Sgt.
LW Huff, J.H. S/Sgt.
TG Duerr, E.E. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 495

P Byrne, C.E. 1st Lt.
CP Schmitt, F.J. 2nd Lt.
N Bunting, J. S/Sgt.
B Heilman, R.C. S/Sgt.
R Trapp, M.W. T/Sgt.
E Bennett, L.F. T/Sgt.
RW Libby, J.E. S/Sgt.
LW Wagner, F.E. S/Sgt.
TG Alper, M.A. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 250

P Vickers, R.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Schwarzer, D.E. 2nd Lt.
N Roberts, K.E. 2nd Lt.
B Henthorn, W.N. Sgt.
R Costanzo, N.T. S/Sgt.
E Krutys, E.V. S/Sgt.
RW Damuth, T.A. Sgt.
LW Nock, W.H. Sgt.
TG Leinweber, R.L. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 205

P Vaden, J.C. 2nd Lt.
CP Tichenor, N.K. 2nd Lt.
N Vrable, E.G. 2nd Lt.
B Sieg, R.J. 2nd Lt.
R Crockett, J.G. Cpl.
E Perry, C.E.O. Cpl.
RW Wojtowicz, C.T. Sgt.
LW Beaton, S.O. Sgt.
TG Smith, C.W. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 511

P Ebersole, H.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Culp, A.B. 2nd Lt.
N Sauter, J.C. 2nd Lt.
B Greene, H.B. Sgt.
R Chew, W.B. Sgt.
E Gabris, J.M. Sgt.
RW Flint, D.W. Sgt.
LW McDonald, C.L. Sgt.
TG Lynch, H.F. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 436

P Tays, R.H. 1st Lt.
CP Ferguson, T.B. 2nd Lt.
N Holzinger, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Sorensen, A.C. 1st Lt.
R Berger, J.T. Sgt.
E King, C.C. T/Sgt.
RW Coury, G.A. S/Sgt.
LW Turner, M.E. S/Sgt.
TG Fetterhoff, E.E. S/Sgt.
PN Hartman, H.R. 1st Lt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 477

P Rose, P.E. 1st Lt.
CP Pratt, D.M. 1st Lt.
N Rohde, C.R. 1st Lt.
B Harnden, R.G. 1st Lt.
R Croy, O.N. T/Sgt.
E Scott, W.A. T/Sgt.
RW Manelick, N.L. S/Sgt.
LW Davidson, S.A. S/Sgt.
TG Beane, H.A. S/Sgt.
RCM Malone, H.W. Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 636

P Garcia, A.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Pollack, M. 2nd Lt.
N Hoffman, W.A. F/O
B Westlund, J.K. S/Sgt.
R Nelson, D.A. S/Sgt.
E Landes, I.B. S/Sgt.
RW Pennington, M.E. S/Sgt.
LW Merda, A. S/Sgt.
TG Rauscher, J.G. S/Sgt.

14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 788

P Barnes, W.B. 1st Lt.
CP Perry, R. 1st Lt.
N Dieruff, R.C. 1st Lt.
B Edmond, R.E. 1st Lt.
R Benson, L.R. T/Sgt.
E Wilson, W.W. T/Sgt.
RW McGuire, E.P. S/Sgt.
LW Braman, J.L.. S/Sgt.
TG Harvell, J.E. S/Sgt.
MV Kopecky, R.H. 2nd Lt.
PN Czyzewicz, C.H. 2nd Lt.

14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 128

CA Hunsaker, B.W. Capt.
P Caldwell, R.R. Capt.
CP Conner, J.A. 1st Lt.
N Thornburgh, J.W. 1st Lt.
B Cetin, W.F. Capt.
R Westerfield, M.M. T/Sgt.
E Munden, F.R. T/Sgt.
RW Maher, T.O. S/Sgt.
LW Conn, J.G. S/Sgt.
TG Bennett, D.F. S/Sgt.
PN Walters, J.E. 1st Lt.
NV Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt.

14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 899

P Eggleston, J.W. Capt.
CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt.
N Zamor, R.J. 1st Lt.
B Hickok, H.E. 1st Lt.
R Nika, L.E. T/Sgt.
E Smith, J.W. T/Sgt.
RW Mitchell, R.L. S/Sgt.
LW Murray, J.J. S/Sgt.
TG Mortimer, D.E. S/Sgt.
PN Wilfahrt, D.W. 1st Lt.
NV Adelstein, R.L. 1st Lt.

14 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 519

P Kerr, D.R. 1st Lt.
CP Fabiani, H.L. 2nd Lt.
N Boettcher, R.E. 1st Lt.
B Copple, R.N. 2nd Lt.
R Abraham, L.J. T/Sgt.
E Chelenyak, J.A. T/Sgt.
RW Johnson, E.W. S/Sgt.
LW Richardson, W.C. S/Sgt
TG Harmon, G.E. Sgt.
NN Mintz, H.P. 2nd Lt.
MV Slagle, R.G. 2nd Lt.

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