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John T. Worley, Staff Sergeant, 546th Bombardment Squadron, passed from us Saturday 28 August 2010
and was laid to rest 31 August 2010. Reported by Bob Yount. |
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Frank Weening passed away 22 July 2010, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He was a stout friend of the 384th, dating to his youth in Holland, when the 384th aircraft SKY QUEEN crashed near his village. Reported by his wife Rita. |
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Lloyd Whitlow passed away Tuesday, 3 August 2010, in Henderson, Nevada. He was a Co-pilot on the Daniel Kowats crew in the 544th Bomb Squadron, and flew combat missions from February 1945 thru the end of the war in Europe. This crew flew the final bombing mission of the European air war on 25 April 1945 Lloyd was a pilot for United Airlines after the war, and also led the 384th Bomb Group, Inc. for a number of years. Reported by his wife Donna. |
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James Traylor passed away in early February, 2010, in Millbrook, Alabama. He was a Ball Turret Gunner with the Jesse Hausenfluck Crew in the 544th Bomb Squadron, and flew missions during the first months the 384th saw combat. This crew was shot down on 17 August, 1943 - also known as "First Schweinfurt" - and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. Reported by his wife Helyn. |
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Lester Levi Davis passed away Tuesday, 2 February 2010, in Arkansas. He was the Engineer on the Bert Strong crew during mid-1944. Reported by Paul and Vicky Mantle. |
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Correction: Philip Y Williams passed away in Sedalia, Colorado. Williams was a pilot and squadron CO with the 546th Bomb Squadron during 1945. Reported by Carol Alfter. |
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Henry Ullmer passed away 21 December 2009, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He was the tail gunner on the Howard Burgoon crew in 1943. He was shot down on his second mission and became a POW. Reported by his wife Agnes. |
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James B Davis passed away 20 December 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the Bombardier for the John Buslee crew initially, and later on the Joseph McKone crew in 1944. Reported by his wife. |
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Edmund Ladendorff, Jr., passed away Tuesday, 1 December 2009, in San Antonio, Texas. He was the Navigator on the Dean Carpenter crew, 545th BS, February-April 1945. Read his obituary, and "Time Travel...", a report on Ladendorff written by Brian Miller. Reported by Brian Miller. |
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Quentin Bland passed away on November 17th, 2009, at his home in Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, England. Quentin was a stalwart friend of the 384th, serving the Group in many capacities - as 384th Historian in England, as the coordinator of many reunions, and all-around preserver of 384th memories and heritage. His energy, good humor, and dedication to the Group will be sorely missed. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Quentin's daughter Samantha at: Jon and Sam ColemanSamantha has requested that, in lieu of flowers, friends may make donations, in Quentin’s memory, to the renovation fund for the church in Grafton Underwood. Please send a check, indicating on the memo line a donation in memory of Quentin, payable to the 384th Bomb Group to Carol AlfterFunds will be collected stateside for a bank transfer. A memorial website has been set up to permit viewing Quentin's obituary, and to provide a place to express your thoughts about his passing. This report was received from Vic Fayers-Hallin and Chris Parker, both in England. |
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Albert T Manolio of Stony Brook NY, raised in Brooklyn, NY passed away in his 91st year on October 17th, 2009. Albert was a Radio Operator and Machine Gunner on the Joe Farnsworth crew, 547th BS, between August 3, 1944 and March 17, 1945. “Little Cinder” was his favorite plane, but he spoke little of the war to his family. It is believed he flew 35 missions during that time. His discharge papers indicated his Decorations and Citations included an Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; European, African, Middle-Eastern Theatre Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star. Predeceased by his beloved wife Carolyn of 52 Years. Loving father of Marjorie (the Late John) D'Elisa, Stephen (Donna), John, and the late Albert Jr. Devoted grandfather of Thomas, James, Stephen, Alby, Robert, Allison and great-grandfather of Stephen, Carielle and Briana. Report submitted by step-granddaughter Vera Nieuwenhuis |
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Lester Hebron Russell passed away Saturday 17 October 2009, in Antrim, New Hampshire. He was the Tail gunner on the Robert D Hughes crew, 544th BS, and later with the Hugh Legar Evans crew, July 1944-November 1944. He was shot down on the 30th Nov 1944 mission to Meuselwitz, where Evans, Kohlhaas, Erich and Bellovary were killed by German civilians. Lester Russell was captured and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag Luft 1. Reported by Wayne Shearsmith, Kettering, England, and Virginia Siffert, USA. |
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Doris Preller died 8 August 2009 in Citrus Springs, Florida.
She was the wife of Bob Preller (546th co-pilot, May-September 1944), who passed away in October, 1993. Reported by Fred Preller. |
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Wallace S Davidson passed away on 11 July 2009 at his home in North Palm Beach, Florida, at age 85. Davidson was a pilot in the 547th Bomb Squadron. He flew the final combat mission on 25 April 1945. After his military service, he worked as a custom home builder in the family business of A.S. Davidson and Sons, and built many houses in Shrewsbury, Little Silver, Middletown (NJ) and surrounding areas. After retiring to Florida in the late 1970s, he enjoyed fishing and boating and was remarkably fit and active until the last few weeks of his life. Reported by his niece, Jane Meggitt, of Cream Ridge, NJ. |
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Ralph E Lavoie passed away 9 May 2009, in Hampton, New Hampshire, at age 88. Lavoie was a ball turret gunner on the Riches Crew in the 547th Bomb Squadron. The following obituary was provided by his niece. Ralph E. Lavoie, 88, of Hampton, NH and formerly of Rindge, NH and Fitchburg, MA, died Saturday May 9, 2009, in Hampton after a period of failing health. He was born in Fitchburg, MA, on April 20, 1921, son of the late Joseph and Stella (Loyzell) Lavoie. He lived in Fitchburg for 50 years and had attended St. Bernard’s Grade and High School, graduating in 1939. He entered the military in September, 1942 from Fitchburg. He was a member of the U.S. Army’s 8th Air Force as a Ball Turret Gunner on B-17s. He was shot down over Germany on June 25, 1943 and spent 15 months as a Prisoner of War at Stalag 7-S and Stalag 17. He was seriously wounded in an escape attempt in December 1943, and was repatriated back to the United States in September 1944 in an exchange of wounded prisoners. Mr. Lavoie was the first Fitchburg native to return from a German prison camp. He was hospitalized for two years and received a medical discharge in 1946. Mr. Lavoie was awarded the Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal and the European Theater Medal. He retired in 1968 after having worked for the First National Stores for many years and moved to New Hampshire in 1972. Mr. Lavoie was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Jaffrey, NH. He was very active in veteran’s affairs, acting as Quartermaster of VFW Post 5613 of Jaffrey. He was also active with the Cathedral of the Pines in Rindge, as a tour guide, serving on the Board of Trustees and as Trustee Emeritus in the Cathedral organization. He was also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, American Ex-Prisoners of War and the Order of the Purple Heart. He also belonged to the American Legion and was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. His wife of 57 years, Mary Kendall, died in February of 2002. He is survived by four sons, Charles of Wilbraham, MA, Thomas of Richmond, NH, Richard of Boston, and James of Lunenburg, MA, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Edith Amburgey of Fitchburg and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. He was grateful for the excellent care he received at the Haven Health Center in Hampton, NH and the many friends he had there. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cathedral of the Pines, 10 Hale Hill Road, Rindge, NH 03461 or to the charity of one’s choice. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements are not yet complete. Reported by his niece, Mary Anne Audette. |
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Charles Eugene “Gene” McBride passed away 8 February 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri, at age 86. McBride was the Tailgunner on the Humbles crew, 547th Squadron. He flew 31 missions He was always proud of his service in the 384th and attended many reunions of the group while his health allowed. Also, sadly, Gene’s wife, Thelma passed away on 30 April 2009. She is now buried with McBride at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Reported by his Grandson, TJ McBride. |
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Richard A Johnson passed away 11 May 2009. Johnson was a co-pilot in the 544th BS. His B-17 "Rebel" was shot down on a mission to Merseburg on November 8, 1944. He was injured, captured and placed in POW camps until being liberated April 29, 1945. Reported by his son, Dave Johnson. |
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William D Munro passed away 10 March 2009. Munro was a radio operator in the 547th BS in 1944 & 1945. Reported by his daughter, Sue (Munro) Swenson. |
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Wilbur "WW" Bandler passed away 19 March 2009. Bandler was a radio operator in the 545th BS. During our last reunion (which WW was unable to attend because of health), Don Thompson chatted with him by phone and the Group sent him a 384th Challenge Coin. His daughter relates: "He was so, so pleased from the call and until he had to go into the hospital, he carried the coin in his pocket every day! I know, because I took him to the ER and had to take all of his "stuff" home and there was that coin. He was very proud to have served his country in two wars and his family was very proud of him also. I truly believe that is why our son, his grandson, join the National Guard and did two tours in Iraq." Reported by his daughter, Diana Bandler Adams. |
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Gerald W McClelland passed away 24 March 2009. McClelland was co-pilot on the Ed Scherokman crew. He flew the final strategic bombing mission of the European campaign on 25 April 1945. Reported by his daughter, Jan (McClelland) Austin. |
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Thomas P Philbin passed away 24 September 2008. Philbin was the tailgunner on Burt Strong's "That's My Boy" of the 544th Bomb Squadron, flying 32 B-17 missions during his service with the 384th. He passed away just before the 384th reunion that he was planning on attending, leaving Lester 'Slip' Davis (Strong's Engineer) as the sole remaining crewmember. Reported by Paul Mantle. |
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George K. Smith passed away in January at the the age of 86. Smith was a bombardier with the 546th BS, flying 30 missions out of Grafton Underwood. His son relates the following anecdote: "He carried a utility knife given to him by one of his fellow airmen until the day he died. I never knew what was so important about that knife, but he misplaced it once about 10 years ago and was literally in tears over it. I guess it linked him back to what was shared and lost back on that airbase so many years ago. Not sure why I shared that with you, other than to let you know that my father never forgot about his time in England at Grafton Underwood." Reported by his son, Keith Smith. |
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Paul R. Spiers of Sodus, NY died 4 March 2009. During World War II, Paul joined the Army, where, as First Lieutenant Spiers, he served as a B-17 pilot. Assigned to the 384th Bomb Group, 545th Bomb Squadron, he flew 32 combat sorties in the European Theater of Operations, and was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguised Flying Cross. Paul retired in 1986 after having spent 21 years with Western New York Farm Credit Association. He was active in the United Third Methodist Church of Sodus, the Geriatrics Pilot Association, Rotary International (Paul Harris Fellow), Sodus Lodge #392 F&AM, The American Legion, and the Stamp Club of Sodus. Reported by Keith Benjamin. |
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Charles V. Renshaw died 27 February 2009. Renshaw was a "mechanic" with the 545th BS for the duration of the war. Reported by David Brown. |
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Louis A Minter of Haymore, MO, has died, date not known (possibly 12 June 2007, per SSDI). Minter was a radio operator with the 544th BS during 1945. Reported by his daughter, Marion Minter Hurst. |
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Margaret Rothschild died 20 January 2009 at home in Boynton Beach, Florida.
She was the wife of Ted Rothschild, who passed away in December, 2008. Reported by Frank Alfter. |
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David P Warrilow died on 10 January 2009, at Hernando-Pasco Hospice in Hudson Florida. [obit] Warrilow was a navigator with the Lecates crew of the 545th BS in 1943. He was born in Pontiac, Mich. He worked for Sherman Williams for 20 years and retired from that company in 1978. He is survived by his wife, Louise, and many descendants. A memorial service, with full military honors, was held graveside on Friday, 16 January 16 2009 at Florida National Cemetery. Reported by Clyde Carlson. |
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Larry Murchan of Trumbull, CT, died 20 December 2008, after suffering a stroke two years ago. Murchan was a pilot with the 544th BS during 1944. Reported by his wife Elizabeth. |
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Fred C Calabrese died on 17 December 2008, at his home in Harwich, MA, after a long illness.[obit] Mr Calabrese, formerly of Springfield, MA and Bedford, NY, was born July 17, 1923 in New York City, attended NYC Public Schools and went to Brooklyn College. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. He was most proud of his service as a Navigator in a B-17 with the 384th Bomb Group, 545th Bomb Squadron in England during World War II. |
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Jack Stewart Hoppen died on 14 December 2008.
Jack was a 544th Bomb Squadron Pilot during the Winter of 1944-1945.
He will be interred in the Memorial Garden of the
Church of the Incarnation, Highlands, NC on 3 January 2009.
His nephew, a Colonel in the Army, is providing a military honor guard for his services.
Jack and Dottie were married for 61 and 1/2 years and had 5 children and seven grandchildren. Dottie reports that Jack had his 85th birthday on 11 December, just 3 days before he died. She is comforted by her family. Those wishing to express condolences to the family may send sentiments to: Dottie Hoppen |
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Benjamin Needelman of Philadelphia, PA, died 10 Dec 2008. Needelman served with the 443rd Sub-Depot during WWII. Reported by his wife Marjorie. [[Note: A previous report that Marjorie had died was incorrect.]] |
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William Keyser of Deltaville, VA, died 6 December 2008. Keyser was a navigator with the 547th BS during 1945. Reported by his daughter J. Peters. |
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Theodore Rothschild passed away on 4 December 2008. Ted was a gunner and togglier with the 545th BS, completing 35 combat missions during the Summer and Fall of 1944. Ted will be remembered for his service to the 384th in war and in peace. |
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William J Vogt of Westbury, NY, died 21 November 2008. Vogt was a togglier with the Davidson crew of the 547th BS during 1945. Reported by his son William. |
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John R Baughman of Visalia, CA, died 17 October 2008. Baughman was a pilot with the 545th BS during 1944/45. Reported by his daughter Nancy. |
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Ruth Wardell of Verona, WI, died 3 September 2008. She was the wife of Raymond A Wardell. Wardell was a radio operator with the Humbles crew of the 547th BS in 1944. Reported by Frank Alfter. |
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Robert F Robilotta of Tinley Park, IL, died 1 August 2008. Robilotta was a co-pilot with the Gabel crew of the 544th BS during 1944/45. Reported by Bob Fisher. |
| Lt. Col. Maurice Dillingham passed away on 28 June 2008. He was interred at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio on July 3, 2008. |
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Joseph W. Baggs died 1 April 2008. Baggs was a bombardier in the 547th Squadron, and later became became Squadron Bombardier and Group Bombardier. He was at Grafton Underwood from May 1943 to late 1944. Completed 25 Missions. Reported by Retired Major Clyde P Carlson: "Joe & I were 43-1 Classmates (bombardier) at Williams Air base, Phoenix, Arizona." |
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George K Spangler of Sanford, NC, has died, date not known (possibly 15 March 2008, per SSDI). Spangler was a pilot with the 546th BS during 1944/45. Reported by Frank Alfter |
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Willis H. Gallop III passed away on 24 February 2008. He was 86 years old. Gallop was a navigator with the 545th BS in 1945. He was shot down on 17 March 1945, with the Wm. Schauer crew in "DARK ANGEL", on a mission to attack railroad targets in the Bohlen (Leipzig), Germany area. He was held as a POW at STALAG 7A in Moosburg, Germany. Reported by Steve Gallop. |
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Ted Carmack "passed away this year" (2008) (possibly 21 February 2008, per SSDI). Carmack Served with the 546th BS. Reported by his son Kim Carmack. |
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Robert A Patterson of Alexandria, VA, passed away during 2008. Patterson was an Engineer/Top Turret Gunner with the 547th BS in the Winter/Spring of 1944. He became a POW after the 13 April 1944 Schweinfurt mission. Reported by Dan Huebert. |
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Bernard C Rasmussen of Fort Lauderdale, FL has died, date not known
(possibly 24 August 2007, per SSDI). Rasmussen was a navigator with the Duesler crew of the 546th BS during 1944-45. Reported by Bob Buis |
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Everett J Downing of Ocala, FL, died 22 August 2007. Downing was a waist gunner with the Duesler crew of the 546th BS in 1944. Reported by Bob Buis. |
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Carroll Pattison passed away on 16 July 2007, as reported by his wife Mary. Pattison was a radio operator with the 547th BS in late 1944. |
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L G Airhart of Amarillo, TX died 24 Nov 1993. Airhart was the crew chief and top turret gunner with the Raymond J Gabel crew of the 544th BS during 1944/45. He completed 35 missions. Reported by Henry J Kolinek Jr, tail gunner on Gabel's crew. |