31 December 1943 Mission #21 Target: St. Jean D'Angely, France

On this last mission flown New Years Eve day in 1943, the Group accomplished an excellent bombing task being judged the best done by any B-24 unit on this type target to date. Twenty-seven (27) ships took off with (26) bombing the briefed target, releasing (310) 500# GP bombs. The 577th led the Group which saw seventy-three (73) percent of all weapons impact within 2000 ft. The unit suffered one aircraft loss and (10) crewmembers MIA and 25-30 enemy fighters were encountered.

On 1 January 1944, the 392nd received this teletype: "The following message was received from the CG 2D Division; Quote Congratulations on the splendid performance today of the 14th Combat Wing. The record of the 44th 392 in putting 47 airplanes over the target out of 47 airborne is a glowing tribute to leadership and to the efficiency of combat and maintenance personnel. Also it gives me extreme satisfaction to tell you that your bombing today was the finest example of precision bombing yet accomplished by the Division. We are proud of all of you. Please pass this message to Fred Dent and Bull Rendle with my hearty if somewhat selfish wish for continued successes during the new year. Signed General Hodges. Unquote. Needless to say, I am also proud of all of you. [signed] General Leon W. Johnson"


PREVIOUS
MISSION
NEXT
MISSION
CREW LOADING LIST FOR
31 December 1943

MISSION #21      Target: St. Jean D'Angely



31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 492

P Becker. J.R. 1st Lt.
CP Roddy, W.H. 2nd Lt.
N  Feller, L. 1st Lt.
B  Miller, D.A. 1st Lt.
E  Patterson, H.C. T/Sgt.
R.Vovos, A.D. T/Sgt.
AE Deal, F.F. S/Sgt.
AR  Williams, A.L. S/Sgt.
AG  Ross, H.J. S/Sgt.
G Schilter, N.J. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 487

P Johns, M.T. 1st Lt.
CP Henderson, M.A. 2nd Lt.
N Silvasy, F.A. 2nd Lt.
B Sriver, E.R. 2nd Lt.
E Indahl, J.M. T/Sgt.
R Gressler, E.J. T/Sgt.
AE Przencizny, W. S/Sgt.
AR Kenyon, C.L. S/Sgt.
AG Zerangue, F.A. S/Sgt.
G Sanchez, I.V. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 511

P Connery, W.R. 1st Lt.
CP Cooper, R.W. 2nd Lt.
N Porter, C.V. 2nd Lt.
B Breck, J.H. 2nd Lt.
E Shilling, R.E. T/Sgt.
R Allen, I.M. S/Sgt.
AE Heller, L.M. T/Sgt.
AR Liebow, G. Sgt.
AG Smith, J.W. S/Sgt.
G Glende, B.I. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 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.


31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 129

P Rouse, M.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Schumacher, R.L. 2nd Lt.
N Henderson, D.T. 2nd Lt.
B Henderson, A.D. 2nd Lt.
E Nilson, T.N. T/Sgt.
R Gorman, E.P. T/Sgt.
AE Beaulieu, J.F. S/Sgt.
AR Walters, J.S. S/Sgt.
AG Lancaster, P.M. S/Sgt.
G Mezo, C.L. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 537

P Neff, G.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Simpson, H.L. 2nd Lt.
N Smith, C.W. 2nd Lt.
B Hadeka, A.A. 2nd Lt.
E Benham, C.E. S/Sgt.
R Diaz, C.A. S/Sgt.
AE Pennington, E.B. Sgt.
AR Hale, J.H. S/Sgt.
AG Walter, C.D. Sgt.
G Ware, J.  Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 576th Sqdn.
A/C 435

P Wittel, E.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Marsters, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Karl, J.E. 2nd Lt.
B Zuk, J.C. 2nd Lt.
E Polovich, J. T/Sgt.
R Jeffcoat, C.H. T/Sgt.
AE Cannada, V.P. S/Sgt.
AR Twitchell, F.O. Sgt.
AG Miller, D.D. S/Sgt.
G Ross, L.K. S/Sgt.

 31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 489

CA Gilbert, L.G. Maj.
P Gonseth, F. 1st Lt.
CP Slipp, F.E. 1st Lt.
N Paddock, K.Q. Capt.
N Delach, J.J. 1st Lt.
B Colburn, R.F. 1st Lt.
E Jennings, H.C. T/Sgt.
R Kirkpatrick, H.L. T/Sgt.
AE Driver, D.M. S/Sgt.
AR Feller, N.L. S/Sgt.
AG Warren, J.D. S/Sgt.
G Whalen, J.S. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 546

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


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 495

CA Schoolmaster, C.F. Capt.
P Lambert, R.P. 1st Lt.
CP Haviland, A.F. 1st Lt.
N Kapp, R.A. 1st Lt.
B Whittaker, J.B. Capt.
B Godfrey, H.M. 1st Lt.
E Reese, W.J. T/Sgt.
R Brown, J.S. T/Sgt.
AE Tantum, W.R. S/Sgt.
AR Day, W.N. S/Sgt.
AG Schulz, W.G. Sgt.
G Pfeifer, A. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 174

P Brauer, G.M. 2nd Lt.
CP Clifford, J.F. 2nd Lt.
N McGough, J.G. 2nd Lt.
B McBrayer, J.N. 2nd Lt.
E Larue, E.W. T/Sgt.
R Abraham, H.F. T/Sgt.
AE Branceforte, N. S/Sgt.
AR Whited, J.A. S/Sgt.
AG Keller, L.D. S/Sgt.
G Rachell, W.W. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 480

P Lyton, S.H. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Jensen, A.H. 1st Lt.
N Donaldson, C.D. 2nd Lt.
B Feagan, H.C. 2nd Lt.
E Johnson, J.C. T/Sgt.
R Gibbs, R.R. T/Sgt.
AE Gottschalk, G.W. S/Sgt.
AR Daughtry, A.Z. S/Sgt.
AG Boomhower, A. S/Sgt.
G Constabile, F.J. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 482

P Egan, R.L. 1st Lt.
CP Basham, F.G. 2nd Lt.
N Harris, W.B. 2nd Lt.
B Gray, W.L. 2nd Lt.
E Hurley, W.F. T/Sgt.
R Pope, F.B. S/Sgt.
AE Hurley, A. S/Sgt.
AR Stogner, D.T. S/Sgt.
AG Salisbury, J.F. S/Sgt.
G Kennedy, B.S. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 577th Sqdn.
A/C 479

P Usry, W.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Turner, D.L. 2nd Lt.
N Snyder, R.D. 2nd Lt.
B Floyd, C.E. 2nd Lt.
E Morr, R.J. T/Sgt.
R Howard, R.E. T/Sgt.
AE Matta, I.D. S/Sgt.
AR Horowitz, G. S/Sgt.
AG Dunlap, V.M. S/Sgt.
G Mathews, A.D. S/Sgt.

 31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 466

P Stauder, J.B. 1st Lt.
CP Johnson, R.L. 1st Lt.
N Haenzi, W.R. 2nd Lt.
B Hunter, R.M. 1st Lt.
E Kottke, A.H. T/Sgt.
R Whitmore, B. Jr. T/Sgt.
AE Reynolds, H.D. S/Sgt.
AR Rider, F.D. S/Sgt.
AG Jones, N.G. S/Sgt.
G Milliken, E.W. S/Sgt.
X Harris, J.N. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 485

P Lishka, A. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Feld, B.H. 2nd Lt.
N Moorehead, J.C. 2nd Lt.
B Brockway, O.E. 2nd Lt.
E Carlson, C.E. T/Sgt.
R Clark, F.C. S/Sgt.
AE Halstead, H.C. S/Sgt.
AR Dohm, H.E. S/Sgt.
AG Drylie, J. Jr. S/Sgt.
G Dedmon, S.E. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 605

P McKee, T.R. 1st Lt.
CP Walker, T.G. 2nd Lt.
N Dinsmore, R.S. 2nd Lt.
B Simons, L. 2nd Lt.
E Nuzum, M.E. Sgt.
R Murphy, H.G. S/Sgt.
AE Sackal, W.M. T/Sgt.
AR Morrison, T.C. T/Sgt.
AG Painter, R.E.  S/Sgt.
G Malavasic, A.F.  S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 624

P George, F.A. 1st Lt.
CP Stephens, L.M. 2nd Lt.
N Sweeney, P.J. 2nd Lt.
B Kelley, F.B. 2nd Lt.
E Parker, J.D. T/Sgt.
R Sweeney, L.F. T/Sgt.
AE Ellingson, H.E. S/Sgt.
AR Sheppard, W.B. S/Sgt.
AG Goodall, W.J. S/Sgt.
G Theodore, R.N. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 596

P Cohen, S. 2nd 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, O.J. S/Sgt.
AE Carr, H.L. Sgt.
AR Dellinger, T.C. Sgt.
AG Thrower, W.E. Sgt.
G McGee, R.C. Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 518

P Carnine, G.D. 1st Lt.
CP Spears, K.E. 2nd Lt.
N Mastron, V. 2nd Lt.
B Ziccarelli, J.A. 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.
G Murphy, E.R. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 578th Sqdn.
A/C 478

P Young, M.N. 2nd Lt.
CP Goodwin, J.J. 2nd Lt.
N Dunphy, R.J. 2nd Lt.
B Thompson, V.E. 2nd Lt.
E Triplett, W.F. S/Sgt.
R Garcia, P.J. S/Sgt.
AE Teater, R.S. S/Sgt.
AR Porter, C.C. S/Sgt
AG Doub, J.H. S/Sgt.
G Rickey, J.J. S/Sgt.

 31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 570

P Everhart, W.C. 1st Lt.
CP Sassaman, F.J. 2nd Lt.
N Lowder, L.L. 2nd Lt.
B Chatten, J.F. 1st Lt.
E Fowler, R.G. S/Sgt.
R Beard, J.W. S/Sgt.
AE Darling, L. T/Sgt.
AR Veit, F.L. S/Sgt.
AG Gaudreau, H.P. S/Sgt.
G Dudley, W.R. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 472

P Stukus, J. 1st Lt.
CP Moffat, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Lindlow, R.R. 2nd Lt.
B Gentry, L.E. 2nd Lt.
E Mattson, W.R. T/Sgt.
R Dykes, J.R. T/Sgt.
AE Paolantonio, A.L. S/Sgt.
AR Rosati, L.P. S/Sgt.
AG McCrary, J.E. S/Sgt.
G McGinley, W.C. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 473

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


31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 083

P Hull, R.L. 1st Lt.
CP Durrance, E.E. 2nd Lt.
N Coleman, V.B. 2nd Lt.
B Lessey, J.E. 2nd Lt.
E Hay, W.R. T/Sgt.
R Johnson, J.F. T/Sgt.
AE Surls, D.L. S/Sgt.
AR Griffin, E.F. S/Sgt.
AG Buchert, W.L. S/Sgt.
G Vasquez, R. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 127

P Detrick, J.W. 1st Lt.
CP Schneider, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Connolly, J.D. 1st Lt.
B Hall, H.P. 1st Lt.
E Owen, E.D. T/Sgt.
R Castle, O.D. S/Sgt.
AE Ross, J.R. S/Sgt.
AR LaBonte, F.J. T/Sgt.
AG Dill, W.F. S/Sgt.
G Bacon, G.W. S/Sgt.


31 Dec 1943 579th Sqdn.
A/C 529

P Higgins, J.A. Jr. 1st Lt.
CP Wharton, P. 2nd Lt.
N Casey, H.W. 2nd Lt.
B Broyles, C. Jr. 2nd Lt.
E Boerschinger, M.F. T/Sgt.
R Cauble, W.R. T/Sgt.
AE Bookout, R.J. S/Sgt.
AR Sumlin, T.E. S/Sgt.
AG York, D.L. S/Sgt.
G Piper, C.A. S/Sgt.


PREVIOUS
MISSION
NEXT
MISSION

MISSION AIR CREW REPORT SECTION


31 DECEMBER 1943
TARGET: ST JEAN D’ANGLEY (FRANCE)

MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #01676   AIRCRAFT: #42-7605 (NO NICKNAME) "T-Bar" 1st Mission

AIRCREW: MCKEE     *    SQUADRON: 578th

CREW POSITIONS AND STATUS:

P   1/LT McKee, Thomas R.     KIA
CP  2/LT Walker, Thomas G.    KlA
N   2/LT Dinsmore, Robert S.  KIA
B   2/LT Simons, Lee (NMI)    KlA
R/O T/S  Morrison, Thomas C.  KIA
EnG T/S  Sackal, Ward M.      KIA
WG  S/S  Murphy, Horace G. Jr KIA
WG  SGT  Nuzum, Marion E.     KIA
BG  S/S  Painter, Richard E.  KIA
TG  S/S  Malavasic, Anthony F.POW

MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: The single line remark on the eye-witness account of a returning Group crew man was "ship #605 blew up going to target area; no chutes seen." Sgt. Malavasic’s later ‘Casualty Questionnaire’ report after the war noted the following brief remarks: Their ship left the bomber formation over the target at about 1215 hours, altitude 18,000 feet; (though not available in this single page report, it is presumed that enemy fighter attacks caused this aircrew’s downing); that all other crewmen were in their respective positions either seriously wounded or dead at the time of this plane’s destruction; and that the aircraft struck the ground about (20) miles from the target.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: The only existing report on this aircrew’s loss is the account of Sgt. Malavasic noted above. He was taken as a POW, however no German reports are appended in this MACR regarding his capture, nor any record on the crash of this plane.

According to French researcher Bernard Ballanger, 1st Lt McKee was flying near the end of the 445th Bomb Group formation when they were attacked by a band of German fighters coming from all directions. A French eyewitness saw his B-24 start to smoke and then leave the formation. It exploded into several pieces. A burning wing fell on the home of Mrs. Yvonne Bourdejeau, who died on Jan. 20, 1944 from burns.

Another eyewitness saw one of the crew fall to earth in his turret, held in place by his safety harness and seemingly asleep at his guns. Two parachutes were seen and an observer watched in horror as one of them was strafed by the fighters and killed. The other parachutist was tail gunner Sgt Anthony Malavasic, the sole survivor. He was captured within an hour of landing.

BURIAL RECORDS: The crewman who was strafed was buried initially in the village cemetery in Bédenac, France; the rest of the crew was buried initially in the cemetery of St. Vivien. U.S. Cemetery lists record the following; At the RHONE Cemetery, (28) miles west of Cannes and (16) miles inland (France): McKee (Grave C-11-1); Walker (Grave D-6-6); Dinsmore (Grave A-6-19); and Sackal (Grave A-12-5);Simons (Grave D-1-24). No records exist on any of the other deceased crew members, German or U.S. On recorded citations, On recorded citations, McKee, Walker, and Simons are noted as having been awarded an Air Medal and the Purple Heart; Sackal was given awards of an Air Medal with (2) Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart; and Dinsmore, the Purple Heart.

NEXT OF KIN DATA IN WWII: The following record is given in this MACR: McKee (Wife, Mrs. Thomas R. of Lebanon, Tennessee) Walker (Mother, Mary G. Walker, Roswell, Pennsylvania); Dinsmore (Mother, Ada Dinsmore, New Kensington, Pennsylvania); Simons (Wife, Adrienne of Brookline, Massachusetts); Morrison (Wife, Marjorie, Marshall,, Pennsylvania); Sackel (Father, George J., Norwalk, Connecticut); Murphy (Wife, Myra Jane of Kilgore, Texas); Musum (Wife, Fay W, Wheeling, West Virginia); Painter (Mother, Anna J, Dale, Indiana); and Malavasic (Mother, Frances, Cleveland, Ohio).





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