21 September 1944 Mission #170 Target: Koblenz

The marshalling yard was designated for attack this day even though the weather over the Continent was poor. At 0630 and 0730 hours, (24) aircrews were given general briefings and all began take-off at 1005. The 576th with Lieutenant Lawrence as Bombardier and the 579th with Lieutenant Pepitone were assigned as lead Squadrons. Only one squadron succeeded in releasing near the target. Just after turn off the IP on to the bomb run, a malfunction in the leading 579th’s ship caused a premature release of (364) 500# weapons short of the primary. The second squadron, finding the MPI obscured by clouds, elected not to bomb and returned to the jettison area. No fighter opposition was experienced but flak over target was heavy and accurate. The loss of (1) bomber and crew resulted. From the 578th in ship #002, Lieutenant J. H. Shelley was hit by AA fire at 1332, position 5005N-0720E, damaging #4 engine and the right wing fuel cells. The bomber peeled out of formation with (3) chutes seen by Lieutenant D. Scharfs crew of the 576th. The stricken airplane then levelled off, and #4 engine was feathered. It followed the Group formation through the target area and on the return leg to the coast where it was last seen at 5150N-0230E. Nothing more about the crew’s welfare was known. Aircraft returned to base about 1625 hours with (3) ships battle damaged.

PREVIOUS
MISSION
NEXT
MISSION

CREW LOADING LIST FOR
21 SEPTEMBER 1944

MISSION #170      Target: Koblenz



21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 125

P Caldwell, R.R. 1st Lt.
CA Lowell, C.L. Maj.
N Thornburgh, J.W. 2nd Lt.
B Baker, R.W. 2nd Lt.
E Munden, F.R. T/Sgt.
R Westerfield, M.M. T/Sgt.
RW Maher, T.O. S/Sgt.
LW Conn, J.G. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Bennett, D.F. S/Sgt.
 NV Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt.
PN Walters, J.E. 1st Lt.

21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 432

P Holliday, B.L. 1st Lt.
CP Harer, R.J. 2nd Lt.
N McCutcheon, J. 1st Lt.
B Wattles, L.O. S/Sgt.
E Sevier, R.M. T/Sgt.
R Rambo, K.B. T/Sgt.
RW Johnson, L.A. S/Sgt.
LW White, P.W. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Negus, J.V. S/Sgt.
NG George, O.J. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 409

P Kilmer, W.A. 1st Lt.
CP McConnell, C. 2nd Lt.
N Isakson, E.S. 2nd Lt.
B Sexton, W.C. 2nd Lt.
E Cappello, E.J. Sgt.
R Chambers, R.L. S/Sgt.
RW Coffman, J.C. Sgt
LW McAtee, J.P. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Turner, E.C. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 299

P Larson, R.D. 2nd Lt.
CP Hawn, I. F/O
N Biles, W.R. 2nd Lt.
B Martin, P.R. S/Sgt.
E Dearborn, H.W. T/Sgt.
R Peterson, J.V. T/Sgt.
RW Benadum, T.E. S/Sgt.
LW Cuthbert, J.K. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Hetzer, R.L. Pvt.

21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 659

P Scharf, C.D. 2nd Lt.
CP Call, F.B. 2nd Lt.
N Thomas, J.B. 2nd Lt.
B Oakes, E.L. S/Sgt.
E Michalaski, R. T/Sgt.
R Bonanno, J.C. T/Sgt.
RW Rigas, C. S/Sgt.
LW Lienemann, W.C. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Oatman, H.W. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 576th Sqdn.
A/C 916

P Sincock, W.R. 1st Lt.
CP Johnston, N.F. 2nd Lt.
N Balides, T. 2nd Lt.
B Williams, A.R. 2nd Lt.
E Swisher, W.O. T/Sgt.
R Ostrove, H. S/Sgt.
RW Domme, E.J. S/Sgt.
LW Peth, P.J. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Manshack, B.R. S/Sgt.

 21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 079

P Popek, E. 2nd Lt.
CP Henry, H.E. 2nd Lt.
N Frederickson, L.T. 2nd Lt.
B Gump, J.A. 2nd Lt.
E Bombardier, W.J. Sgt.
R Yuhas, G. Sgt.
RW Thompson, J.R. S/Sgt.
LW Trofnoff, F. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Swee, F.A. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 813

P Comeau, E.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Davis, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Neuman, W.E. 2nd Lt.
B Brennan, A.F. 2nd Lt.
E Scalet, J.S. T/Sgt.
R Haney, P.W. S/Sgt.
RW Jasinski, R. Sgt.
LW Pendergraft, J.C. Sgt.  
BT - -
TG Krause, H.L. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 012

P Barron, J.N. 1st Lt.
CP Billingsley, G.E. 2nd Lt.
N Attinson, C. 2nd Lt.
B Feltman, D.B. 2nd Lt.
E Slater, D.L. T/Sgt.
R Osborne, R.C. Pvt.
RW Salvato, T.W. S/Sgt.
LW Garner, H.S. T/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Demar, S.S. S/Sgt.
Steffen, N.W. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 150

CA Gilbert, L.G. Lt. Col.
P Abell, G.W. 1st Lt.
CP Eldridge, M.C. 1st Lt.
N Roberts, M.C. 1st Lt.
B Lawrence, J.S. 2nd Lt.
E Tryboski, L.E. T/Sgt.
R Nemeth, P.J. T/Sgt.
RW Horton, H.E. S/Sgt.
LW Hawes, J.C. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Moore, J.R. S/Sgt.
Morris, J.E. 2nd Lt.
Ferry, J.R. wnd Lt.

21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 415

P Holmes, H.T. 2nd Lt.
CP Barber, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Peterson, H.L. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Fetsch, J.E. T/Sgt.
R O'Laughlin, F.J. T/Sgt.
RW Loewy, S.B. S/Sgt.
LW Batchelor, L.I. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Marinelli, N.R. S/Sgt.
NT Tungett, R.G. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 577th Sqdn.
A/C 151

P Walker, D.L. 1st Lt.
CP Nunziato, D.J. 2nd Lt.
N Bedore, C.P. 2nd Lt.
B Buente, V.O. 2nd Lt.
E Gusciora, A.E. Sgt.
R Young, J.W. Sgt.
RW Lane, A.E. Sgt.
LW Maloukis, S.J. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Ballas, P.T. Sgt.

 21 Sep 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 966

P Johnson, R.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Cook, J.M. 2nd Lt.
N Waters, J.F. 2nd Lt.
B Weiss, J.E. 2nd Lt.
E Lang, C.F. T/Sgt.
R Lauger, L. S/Sgt.
RW Castaneda, J.A. Sgt.
LW Stickley, F.F. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Van Alstine, N.G. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 337

P Walker, R.S. 1st Lt.
CP Holmes, F. 1st Lt.
N Peters, J.L. F/O
B Gajewski, R.B. 2nd Lt.
E Ellingson, H.E. T/Sgt.
R Whittington, T. T/Sgt.
RW Willey, J.H. S/Sgt.
LW McGinnis, M.C. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Kosinski, F.G. Cpl.

21 Sep 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 002

P Shelley, J.H. 1st Lt.
CP Scarpino, P. 1st Lt.
N Maroun, N.P. 1st Lt.
B Chinchilla, F.P. 1st Lt.
E Kane, F.M. T/Sgt.
R Smith, P.E. Pfc.
RW Hollenbeck, C.E. S/Sgt.
LW Stewart, S.P. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Childers, J.E. Pvt.

21 Sep 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 477

P Tays, R.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Ferguson, T.B. F/O
N Holzinger, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Sorensen, A.C. 2nd Lt.
E King, C.C. Sgt.
R Berger, J.T. Sgt.
RW Coury, G.A. Sgt.
LW Turner, M.E. Sgt.
BT - -
TG Fetterhoff, E.E. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 578th Sqdn.
A/C 235

P McClellan, H.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Carleton, D. 2nd Lt.
N Havel, E.E. 2nd Lt.
B - -
E Berger, R.F. S/Sgt.
R Kingston, D.B. S/Sgt.
RW Markle, J.M. Sgt.
LW Collins, S.J. S/Sgt.
BT Borchers, E.S. S/Sgt.
TG Peters, J.M. S/Sgt.

 21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 121

P Bell, W.M. 1st Lt.
CP Pope, C.H. 2nd Lt.
N Cole, R.W. 2nd Lt.
B Snoden, C.A. 2nd Lt.
E Morse, J.H. T/Sgt.
R Gordon, C.J. T/Sgt.
RW Onstot, P.O. S/Sgt.
LW Bross, J.H. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Case, R.F. S/Sgt.
RCM Hairston, R.T. Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 238

P Kwash, R.H. 2nd Lt.
CP Gulacsik, A. 2nd Lt.
N Coy, E.T. 2nd Lt.
B Lassins, E.G. 2nd Lt.
E Yarber, H.W. T/Sgt.
R McKim, L.D. T/Sgt.
RW Denter, W.S. S/Sgt.
LW Callahan, E.M. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Sandusky, D.L. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 357

P Benson, R.J. 1st Lt.
CP Buccigrossi, S.A. 2nd Lt.
N Keane, J.J. 2nd Lt.
B Davenport, J.R. 2nd Lt.
E Solberg, F.O. T/Sgt.
R Davey, J.F. T/Sgt.
RW Middleton, W.H. S/Sgt.
LW Rzadkiewicz, N.I. S/Sgt.
BT Wilson, H.W. 2nd Lt.
TG Legaard, C. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 608

P Neundorf, C.A. 1st Lt.
CP Washington, E.K. 2nd Lt.
N Abrams, E.J. 2nd Lt.
B Pipitone, S.R. F/O
E Moore, P.L. T/Sgt.
R Toniatti, L.A. T/Sgt.
RW Blalock, E.L. S/Sgt.
LW Sullivan, J.K. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Xander, C.H. S/Sgt.
NT Solomon, A.A. 2nd Lt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 697

P Wick, N.J. 1st Lt.
CP Spencer, F.H. 1st Lt.
N Greene, D.A. F/O
B Buckles, R.R. F/O
E Knierim, R.A. T/Sgt.
R Taylor, P.W. T/Sgt.
RW Sheppard, R.E. S/Sgt.
LW Makovy, V. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Wolfe, P.J. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 272

P Bell, J.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Guegold, R.L. 2nd Lt.
N Forbes, L.R. 2nd Lt.
B Hester, C.L. S/Sgt.
E Radzikowski, L.S. T/Sgt.
R Cheshire, W.T. T/Sgt.
RW Noltkamper, A.A. T/Sgt.
LW Zwolinski, V.W. S/Sgt.
BT Watson, C.B. S/Sgt.
TG Geron, H.E. S/Sgt.

21 Sep 1944 579th Sqdn.
A/C 647

P Koza, F. 2nd Lt.
CP Wilcoxson, R.H. 2nd Lt.
N Stillwagon, V.H. 2nd Lt.
NG Pyecroft, E.J. Cpl.
E Roberts, M.J. T/Sgt.
R Rubin, G. T/Sgt.
RW Purcell, L.J. S/Sgt.
LW Johnson, J.T. S/Sgt.
BT - -
TG Dunn, T.C. S/Sgt.

PREVIOUS
MISSION
NEXT
MISSION
MISSING AIR CREW REPORT SECTION


21 SEPTEMBER 1944
TARGET: KOBLENZ

MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #10206  AIRCRAFT: #41-29002 (NO NICKNAME) "T-BAR" 30th MISSION

AIRCREW: SHELLEY     *     SQUADRON: 578th

CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:

P   l/LT  Shelley, Joe H.           KIA
CP  1/LT  Scarpino, Pasquale        POW
N   1/LT  Maroun, Nader P.          POW
B   l/LT  Chinchilla, Francis P.    KIA
R/O PFC   Smith, Paul E.            POW
EnG T/SGT Kane, Francis M.          POW
WG  S/SGT Hollenbeck, Charles E. Jr KIA
WG  S/SGT Stewart, Stanley R.       POW
TG  PVT   Childers, James E.        POW

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: An after-mission reporting by 2/Lt. Tays (Pilot) and his crew members recounted information on the loss of this aircrew and aircraft. "Formation encountered AA resistance scattered, but fairly accurate along the course from I.P. to Koblenz (target). Aircraft (Shelley’s) believed lost due to damaged sustained in right wing. First observed (plane) at 50-50N, 02-00E with problems and gas coming from right wing. (Ship) tried to stay in formation with #4 engine feathered; but flew over target, though not in formation. (Plane) flew back along route and last time seen was a location over the Channel". Later, a German Report #KU2998, Air Base Hqs A (9) 10/VI, reported the crash site of this plane being at Vershoven, 10 kilometers east of Euskirchen at 1300 hours this date. This Bonn-Hangelar headquarters element also reported and identified all (9) crew members at or near this location. Subsequently, (3) of this aircrew were reported as dead: Lt. Shelley, Lt. Chinchilla, and Sgt. Hollenbeck. The remaining members were identified as having been captured. A later supplementary German hospital report of 10 October 1944 indicated that Sgt. Stewart had been transferred on 23 September from a sick-call center at Vallendur/Rhein and was suffering a shot wound in his right thigh; and on the above date would be transferred under guard to the POW Transit Camp at Oberursel (Dulag-Luft). The German accounts surrounding the downing of this aircrew points to a conclusion that the aircraft seen in the above crew member debriefing observations after this mission was another ship over the Channel on the return leg.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: Sgt. Stewart, Waist Gunner, gave a summary account on a ‘Casualty Questionnaire’ upon his return to U.S. Control from POW status after the war: that he was the only one known to have been wounded in the plane prior to all members bailing out and the rest were in good physical condition at bail out time; that the Engineer, Radio Operator, himself, the other Waist Gunner and Tail Gunner all bailed out through the aft hatch while the front end crewmen bailed out as follows, in order named: Bombardier through the nose gear door well; Pilot, Co-Pilot, and Navigator through the bomb bay doors. The Navigator reported that he was the last man out at about (300) feet altitude, and he heard the aircraft crash. Another surviving crew member account on Pilot, Lt. Shelley, and Lt. Chinchilla (probably Stewart’s account) was that these two men were killed by German civilians, but no other confirming information was given. This report continued to relate the following on the bomb drop: "dropped bombs too soon; (30) miles short of target; area seen where they (bombs) hit a small group of houses; expect he (Shelley) was killed by civilians". On the number of missions that Pilot Shelley and the others who were killed had flown up to this emergency, the number was reported at (28) or (29) missions total.

BURIAL RECORDS: The only record existing in this MACR indicates that Lt. Chinchilla was interred at the U.S. National Overseas Cemetery at LUXEMBOURG (Grave E-15-72) with awards of an Air Medal with (2) Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to the Purple Heart. No record exists in this report on the other two deceased members.

NEXT OF KIN DATA IN WWII: Shelley (Father, Clyde S., 1506 Hood, Wichita,

Kansas); Chinchilla (Mother, Anna, 2409 Beaver Road, Cambridge, Pennsylvania); Scarpino (Wife, Sylvia, 218 East Chestnut Street, East Rochester, New York); Maroun (Wife, Alice C., 216 North School Street, Carthage, New York); Stewart (Father, Leo H., 2835 Elm Street, Quincy, Illinois); Smith (Wife, Marion N., 1225 Reddour Street, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania); Hollenbeck (Eugenia K., 1203 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia); Childers (Mother, Lucy, Paintsville, Kentucky) and Kane (Mother, Anna K., 1690 South Yendell Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).





| B24.NET Home | Missions Home Page | Top of this page |