3 March 1944 Mission #45 Target: Oranienburg

Eighth Air Force targets for this date concentrated in and around the Berlin area. The 392nd’s was just north on the outskirts of the city, but extremely poor enroute and target weather would cause the Group to abort the mission before reaching this target. Briefing for (28) aircrews was held at 0400 with take-offs beginning around 0730 hours. The 579th was assigned lead with Lt Good as lead Bombardier. General Peck of the 96th Combat Wing rode in one of the 392nd ships. Assembly and formation flying was complicated by heavily layered clouds and extremely cold temperatures causing windows to frost over. Some gun turrets were frozen and failed to operate and, in general, it was difficult to maintain formation integrity. As a result, the Group was forced to turn back just after passing Heligoland and touching the enemy coast of Denmark. Some aircraft did bomb a small enemy complex west of Lubeck. One aircraft received flak damage, but no fighters were seen. The 578th Squadron lost one aircraft, exact cause unknown, #491 with 1st Lieutenant Smith’s crew all MIA.

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CREW LOADING LIST FOR
3 MARCH 1944

MISSION #45      Target: Oranienburg



3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 411 (aborted,
no mission credit

P Mathias, W.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Jones, L.C. 2nd Lt.
N Mateyka, M.R. 2nd Lt.
NG Erwin, B.F. S/Sgt.
E Chambless, S.L. T/Sgt.
R Slyhoff, K.G. T/Sgt.
AE Blackwell, R.B. S/Sgt.
AR Smock, J.M. S/Sgt.
AG Weverka, J.E. S/Sgt.
G Pennington, E.B. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 371 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Wittel, E.F. 1st Lt.
CP Marsters, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Karl, J.F. 2nd Lt.
B Zuk, J.C. 2nd Lt.
E Cannada, V.P. S/Sgt.
R Jeffcoat, C.M. T/Sgt.
AE Williams, R.F. S/Sgt.
AR Ware, J.W.  S/Sgt.
AG Hale, J.L. S/Sgt.
G Roti, D.A. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 651

P Ford, J.H. 1st Lt.
CP Bunting, D.W. 2nd Lt.
N Duncan, R.H. 2nd Lt.
B Thompson, M.A. 2nd Lt.
E Lewis, G.F. T/Sgt.
R Kramer, A.W. T/Sgt.
AE Roberson, L.P. S/Sgt.
AR Saucedo, J.A. S/Sgt.
AG Overholt, H.R. S/Sgt.
G Harvison, W.P. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 492

P Clover, D.K. 1st Lt.
CP Berger, R.M. 2nd Lt.
N Smith, C.W. 2nd Lt.
N McMillan, W.J. 1st Lt.
B McDonald, P.R. 2nd Lt.
E Losey, J.C. T/Sgt.
R Galler, I. T/Sgt.
AE Walters, C.D. S/Sgt.
AR Bell, R.W. S/Sgt.
AG Royal, C.K. S/Sgt.
G Ross, J.M. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 598

P Miller, H.W. 1st Lt.
CP Hurd, E.A. Jr. 2nd Lt.
N Murray, F.P. 2nd Lt.
B Greene, D.R. 2nd Lt.
E Megenhardt, J.F. T/Sgt.
R Mallamaci, J.T. T/Sgt.
AE McCombs, A.D. S/Sgt.
AR Lorine, J.R. S/Sgt.
AG Wheeler, M. S/Sgt.
G Rausch, T.A. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 976 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Filkel, O.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Hurd, J.S. 2nd Lt.
N Tyson, E.E. 2nd Lt.
B Henderson, A.D. 2nd Lt.
E Blevins, R.E. S/Sgt.
R Smith, R.C. S/Sgt.
AE Jarrett, C.W. Sgt.
AR Hoover, A.L. Sgt.
AG Farmwalt, W.H. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 835 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Ellison, B.M. 2nd Lt.
CP Jewett, G.A. 2nd Lt.
N Bassett, E.F. 2nd Lt.
B Hurdle, Q.C. 2nd Lt.
E Samples, H.F. T/Sgt.
R Jean, R.P. T/Sgt.
AE Tupper, J.A. S/Sgt.
AR --
AG--
G Anderson, C.S. S/Sgt.

 3 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 497 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Peterson,L.G. 1st Lt.
CP Lidgard,W.V. 1st Lt.
N Long,A.L. 2nd Lt.
B Grey, W. 1st Lt.
E Lawrence,H.F. T/Sgt.
R Bellerive,R.O. T/Sgt.
AE Opsahl.,R.C. S/Sgt.
AR Smith,A.C. S/Sgt.
AG Feller,?.R. S/Sgt.
G Stevens,R.K. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 826 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Haffermehl, G.T. 2nd Lt.
CP MacMullen, D.H. 2nd Lt.
N Parks, K.C. 2nd Lt.
B Poppel, S.B. 2nd Lt.
E Parker, E.S. T/Sgt.
R Beausoleil, L.J. S/Sgt.
AE Mitchell, J.W. Sgt.
AR Wagner, F.J. S/Sgt.
AG Harwick, M. Sgt.
G Landry, L. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 824 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Anderson, E.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Maben, J.F. 2nd Lt.
N Cashen, E.J. 2nd Lt.
B Lawrence, J.S. 2nd Lt.
E Farren, E.L. S/Sgt.
R Masteka, G.F. S/Sgt.
AE Cagle, W.C. S/Sgt.
AR Manville, F.E. Sgt.
AG Hardic, A.M. Sgt.
G Bixby, G.C. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 505 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Scheltens, C.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Vaughan, H.C. 2nd Lt.
N Coward, D.M. 2nd Lt.
B Fain, J.M. 2nd Lt.
E Morr, R.J. T/Sgt.
R ? S/Sgt.
AE ? Sgt.
AR Crotty, W.L. Pfc.
AG Thompson, I.F. S/Sgt.
G Freeman, J.B. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 489 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Hunter, C.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Huston, P.N. 2nd Lt.
N Gilman, J.P. 2nd Lt.
B McBrayer, J.N. 2nd Lt.
E Macklin, C.D. S/Sgt.
R Sichau, W.R. S/Sgt.
AE Grimes, J.T. S/Sgt.
AR Morrow, W.L. S/Sgt.
AG Nelson, V.A. S/Sgt.
G Mills, E.J. Sgt.

 3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 945

P Sooy, B.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Mardis, K.A. 2nd Lt.
N Jones, O.R. 2nd Lt.
B Schwartz, E.S. 2nd Lt.
E Serafine, J.M. S/Sgt.
R Terrell, P.J. S/Sgt.
AE LeBleu, L.  S/Sgt.
AR McBrayer, H.G. Jr. Sgt.
AG McArn, H.W. Sgt.
G Turner, L.F. S/ Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 624 (aborted,
 no mission credit)

P Morefield, H.F. 1st Lt.
CP Grisell, R. 2nd Lt.
N Kaufman, K.S. 2nd Lt.
B Kuttner, F.F. 2nd Lt.
E Betterley, E.C. S/Sgt.
R Gerrard, R.W. T/Sgt.
AE Breithaupt, H.A. Sgt.
AR Coday, D.S. Sgt.
AG Blekkenk, J.H. Sgt.
G Adago, D.R. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 100

P Schildknecht, H.E. 1st Lt.
CP Long, J.D. Jr. 2nd Lt.
N Hersh, A. 2nd Lt.
B Wasowicz, M.V. 2nd Lt.
E Sadler, R.S. T/Sgt.
R Begley, J.F. T/Sgt.
AE Reid, H.A. S/Sgt.
AR Reed, B.P. S/Sgt.
AG Reade, G.J. S/Sgt.
G Gegere, G.P. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 465 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Johnson, R.L. 1st Lt.
CP Buchanan, R.P. 2nd Lt.
N Johnson, D.C. 1st Lt.
B Hunter, R.M. 1st Lt.
E Stancik, M. T/Sgt.
R Wohlstrom, T.C. Jr. T/Sgt.
AE Reynolds, H.D. S/Sgt.
AR Milliken, E.W. S/Sgt.
AG Sikoff, H. S/Sgt.
G Nixon, A.D. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 187

P Goodwin, R.K. 2nd Lt.
CP McGee, R. 2nd Lt.
N Wettig, C.O. 2nd Lt.
B Savage, C.C. 2nd Lt.
E Chacon, M.J. S/Sgt.
R Roberts, E.H. S/Sgt.
AE Maxwell, R.J. Sgt.
AR Krueger, R.C. Sgt.
AG Parsley, H.D. Sgt.
G Halstead, H.C. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 518

P Carnine, G.D. 1st Lt.
CP Spears, K.E. 2nd Lt.
N Mastron, V. 2nd Lt.
B Byers, W.E.  2nd Lt.
E Hopson, N.A. T/Sgt.
R Barbee, B.B. T/Sgt.
AE Ostroski, L.B. S/Sgt.
AR Norby, M.W. S/Sgt.
AG Knies, G.R. S/Sgt.
G Kwasnycia, N. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 491

P Smith, R.E. 1st Lt.
CP Schilling, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Metz, L. 2nd Lt.
B Hopple, H.G. 2nd Lt.
E Wooton, W.J. S/Sgt.
R Clark, F.C. T/ Sgt.
AE Sheppard, W.B. S/ Sgt.
AR Heaslet, W.W. S/Sgt.
AG Bertsch, P.J. Sgt.
G Norton, W.J. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 981

P Cohen, S. 1st Lt.
CP Shoenhair, R.D. 2nd Lt.
N Mardirosian, A. 2nd Lt.
B Valker, G.E. 2nd Lt.
E Hayes, F.W. S/Sgt.
R Buckley, G.J. S/Sgt.
AE Carr, H.L. Sgt.
AR Dellinger, T.G. Sgt.
AG Thrower, W.E. Sgt.
G McGee, R.G. Sgt.

 3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 510

P Sherwood, W.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Anderson, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Sheridan, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Bowen, H.A. 2nd Lt.
E Todd, R.E. S/Sgt.
R Mohr, D.C. S/Sgt.
AE Coveney, C.M. Sgt.
AR Grybos, T.J. Sgt.
AG Phillips, E.L. Sgt.
G Carroll, J.B. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 473 (no mission credit)

CA Peck, C.A. Brig. Gen.
P Shea, P. 2nd Lt.
CP Hay, S.N. 2nd Lt.
N Lowder, L.L. 2nd Lt.
B Heilman, J.A. 2nd Lt.
E Darling, L. T/Sgt.
R Mahoney, J.E. T/Sgt.
AE Hixon, R.D. T/Sgt.
AR Dudley, W.R. S/Sgt.
AG Willig, N.J. Sgt.
G Adams, B. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 308

P Darnell, J.F.Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Slagle, E.E. 2nd Lt.
N Stasney, A.J. 2nd Lt.
B Richardson F.E. 2nd Lt.
E Whitaker, J.W. S/Sgt.
R Mandel, R.F. T/Sgt.
AE Sundo, J.R. S/Sgt.
AR Rego, M.A. S/Sgt.
AG Courtney, E.J. Sgt.
G Ward, L.E. Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 990

P Spartage, G. 1st Lt.
CP Kern, R.B. 2nd Lt.
N Tauskey, W.A. 1st Lt.
B Campbell, R.A. 1st Lt.
E Warren, O.J. S/Sgt.
R Worthington, P.A. T/Sgt.
AE Helmke, E.F. S/Sgt.
AR Rinke, A.D. S/Sgt.
AG Ridgeway, J.W.  S/Sgt.
G Riedlinger, A.J. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 160 (no mission credit)

P Hammond, G.L. 1st Lt.
CP Hatter, W.H. 2nd Lt.
N Sullivan, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Rodriguez, J.B. 2nd Lt.
E Pearson, W.M. T/Sgt.
R Sullivan, W. T/Sgt.
AE Hargrave, R.O. S/Sgt.
AR White, C.B. S/Sgt.
AG Goldberg, M.R. S/Sgt.
G Gaudreau, J.P. S/Sgt.

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 117

P Nugent, W.A. 2nd Lt.
CP Burciaga, L.R. 2nd Lt.
N Davis, W.X. 2nd Lt.
NG Krause, W.N. 2nd Lt.
E O'Brien, J.J. T/Sgt.
R Demming, F.H. T/Sgt.
AE McGahey, G.L. S/Sgt.
AR Lander, W. S/Sgt.
AG Pawlyshyn, M.J. S/Sgt.
G Sowers, D.R. S/Sgt

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 469 (aborted,
no mission credit)

P Dickson, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP ?
N McDade, J.J. 1st Lt.
B White, E.I. 1st Lt..
E York, R. T/Sgt
R Zimpelman, J.G. T/Sgt.
AE Luchak, A. S/Sgt.
AR Erickson, C.W. S/Sgt.
AG Reilly, B.A. S/Sgt.
G O'Neill, F.L. Sgt
 

3 Mar 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 127

P Detrick, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP Schneider, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Connolly, J.D. 1st Lt.
NG Beseda, J.F. S/Sgt.
E Owen, E.D. T/Sgt.
R Sibert, V.L. T/Sgt.
AE Ross, J.R. S/Sgt.
AR Andrews, W. E. T/Sgt.
AG Dill, W.F. S/Sgt.
G Bacon, G.W. S/Sgt.

On PFF ship: Keilman, M. Maj. and Haenzi, W.R. 2nd Lt.

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MISSING AIR CREW REPORT SECTION


3 MARCH 1944
TARGET: ORANIENBURG

MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #02800    AIRCRAFT: #42-7491 "PREGNANT PEG" "Q-Bar" 4th Mission   

AIRCREW: SMITH     *    SQUADRON: 578th

CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:

P   1/LT Smith, Richard E.    KIA
CP  2/LT Schilling, John E.   KIA
N   2/LT Metz, Louis (NMI)    KIA
B   2/LT Hopple, Harry G.     KIA
R/O T/S  Clark, Frank C.      KIA
EnG T/S  Wooton, Warren J.    KIA
BG  S/S  Sheppard, William B. KIA
WG  S/S  Norton, Walter J. Jr KIA
WG  S/S  Heaslet, Worth W.    KIA
TG  S/S  Bertsch, Paul J.     KIA

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: The only brief account given on this aircrew’s missing status was that due to the extremely bad weather which existed at take-off time at Wendling, the last time this aircraft was sighted was then. Whether the crew continued on this mission is not known, however, the MACR record reflects the premise that this aircraft was shot down later, and presumably went down or ditched in the North Sea with no survivors.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: None are present in the MACR record.

BURIAL RECORDS: The existing record notes the U.S. National Overseas Cemetery at CAMBRIDGE having the names of all members of this crew on the WALL OF THE MISSING. All are listed as having been awarded the Air Medal, as follows: Smith with (2) Oak Leaf Clusters and the same for Schilling, Metz, Hopple, Heaslet, and Wooton. Clark, Norton, and Sheppard were awarded this Medal with (3) Oak Leaf Clusters. All were noted to have been cited with the Purple Heart.

NEXT OF KIN DATA IN WWII: No complete record exists on this information, however, the following home States are given on the Cemetery record, as follows: Smith (Utah); Schilling (California); Metz (New York); Hopple (Pennsylvania); Clark (Michigan); Heaslet (Oklahoma); Wooton (New Jersey); Norton (Montana); Sheppard (Virginia); and Bertsch (Ohio).





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