Wells, Benjamin Franklin

Individual Personnel Data
Name Wells, Benjamin Franklin   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-703544   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #107 dated 8 June 1944, effective 5 June 1944.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 20 July 1944
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 20 July 1944 per General Orders #20, Headquarters, Miami District, AAF Personnel Distribution Command dated 31 August 1945.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 21 September 1921
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Big Spring AAF, Big Spring, Texas, Class #43-18, 24 December 1943.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 7278⇓ (36.954 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Bahten, John Irwin⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Sine, George Henning⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Cohn, Herbert Jay⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Wells, Benjamin FranklinBombardierPOW
SGT. Biancalana, Mario Joseph⇗Radio Operator / GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Santa Maria, Luis (NMI)⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Higbie, Franklyn Henry⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Jarreau, Lloyd Joseph⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. McCullough, Robert Eugene⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Eager, Robert Duane⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 6 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
137⇗ 16 June 1944 Target: Athies Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Laon, France 		Bombardier 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
138⇗ 18 June 1944 Target: Ölwerke Julius Humbles
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany 		Bombardier 44‑6080⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Bombardier 42‑97150⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group.
Sortie Report⇗
140⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Bombardier 42‑97204⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
158⇗ 16 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
162⇗ 20 July 1944 Target: Aircraft Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany 		Navigator 42‑37974⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
High Group. At 1115 hrs aircraft dropped back and released bombs, apparently unable to keep up with formation; it was under attack by four ME109s and two FW190s; four chutes seen; the aircraft went down in a glide, apparently under control; crashed near Zetteritz, Germany. MACR 727.
Sortie Report⇗

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