Cates, Clay Franklin

Individual Personnel Data
Name Cates, Clay Franklin
⇗
Rank Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 37217423
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #146 dated 17 November 1943, effective 17 November 1943.
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #72, effective 16 April 1944.
  • Transferred to the Casual Pool, 70th Replacement e, AAF Station 594, per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 4 January 1945, effective 4 January 1945.
Duty Flexible Gunner
MOS748 - Army Airplane Mechanic / Gunner, Flight Engineer
Last Duty Date 4 January 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 10 June 1918
  • Flew more than the required number of missions for a combat tour.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #86 dated 8 May 1944.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty (TD) to Southport, AAF Station 524 (a Flak house) on 27 October 1944 to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #211 dated 25 October 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Knapp, Paul Bernard⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Pulliam, Lyle James⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Colarusso, Alfred James⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Austin, Raymond Lee, Jr⇗BombardierCT
PVT. Stahl, Bruce Warren⇗Radio Operator / GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Jakway, James Allen⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Mason, Covert Nathan⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Cleland, Deston Kenneth, "Duke"⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. LaSalle, Angelo Aloysius⇗Flexible GunnerCT
SGT. Cates, Clay FranklinFlexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 50 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
41⇗ 11 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31274⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
44⇗ 20 December 1943 Target: Port Area/Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
47⇗ 30 December 1943 Target: I. G. Farben Industrie, Chemical/Synthetic Rubber Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑39888⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Briefed to fly in high Squadron of composite group, flew #7 of lead Squadron of 379th BG, landed away at Alconbury due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
49⇗ 4 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29651⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
55⇗ 29 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31346⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group. Dropped fifty parcels of nickles (propaganda pamphlets) plus 6x500 GP on target.
Sortie Report⇗
57⇗ 3 February 1944 Target: Submarines (under construction)
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group.
Sortie Report⇗
58⇗ 4 February 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37848⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High group, 41st B Combat Wing. Turned back at 1044 just off The Naze because #2 and #3 engines were smoking and the gas mixture was set too rich.
Sortie Report⇗
61⇗ 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High squadron. Landed away at RAF Bradwell Bay, Essex, on return due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
63⇗ 20 February 1944 Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig & Bernburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29809⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
64⇗ 21 February 1944 Target: Fighter Field & Aircraft Storage Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Werl, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37789⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1345 hrs due to runaway #2 supercharger.
Sortie Report⇗
66⇗ 24 February 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 41‑24560⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
67⇗ 25 February 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Ball Bearings Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Augsburg & Stuttgart, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37789⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
68⇗ 28 February 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Preuseville, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37789⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
69⇗ 2 March 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant and Machine Shop
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37789⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1010 hrs when #2 supercharger ran away at altitude and could not be controlled until below 1,500'.
Sortie Report⇗
70⇗ 3 March 1944 Target: Roller-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37885⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back because oil pressure dropped on #3 engine, requiring it to be feathered immediately.
Sortie Report⇗
71⇗ 4 March 1944 Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31375⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
72⇗ 6 March 1944 Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑37785⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1117 hrs because #3 supercharger ran away and could not be controlled.
Sortie Report⇗
74⇗ 9 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑31495⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
77⇗ 19 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-2 Storage and Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
78⇗ 20 March 1944 Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
79⇗ 22 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Assembly Plant at Annahof Airfield
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
81⇗ 24 March 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
82⇗ 26 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Le Grismont, Rebecques, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
83⇗ 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
94 Group.
Sortie Report⇗
85⇗ 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
87⇗ 10 April 1944 Target: Evere Airfield (50°54'3"N 4°20'9"E)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97136⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
92⇗ 20 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
B Wing, High Group.
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Engineer/Top Turret 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
94⇗ 24 April 1944 Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
96⇗ 27 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
97⇗ 27 April 1944 Target: Toul/Croix de Metz Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102442⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
179⇗ 13 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Road Network
Type: Transportation
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger (area), France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6294⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy and hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
181⇗ 16 August 1944 Target: Delitzsch Air Field and Air Equipment Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Delitzsch, Germany 		Tail Gunner 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
185⇗ 26 August 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
186⇗ 30 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Crepieul, France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97824⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Gee-H ship. Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
187⇗ 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
PFF ship. Wing lead.
Sortie Report⇗
190⇗ 9 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑107125⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
204⇗ 3 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑8008⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Deputy lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
207⇗ 7 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
208⇗ 9 October 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
209⇗ 11 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6109⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Second Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
212⇗ 17 October 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
214⇗ 19 October 1944 Target: Heinrich Lanz Tank Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
220⇗ 5 November 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑6109⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
222⇗ 8 November 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant (visual aim point)
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37971⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
223⇗ 9 November 1944 Target: Ground Installations
Type: Military
Location: Ouvrages de Sorbey (Metz), France 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38673⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
226⇗ 16 November 1944 Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions
Type: Military
Location: Eschweiler, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97309⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft, replaced 43‑37917. Landed away at Stratford, due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
227⇗ 20 November 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑37971⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron, 41st Bomb Wing D group.
Sortie Report⇗
228⇗ 23 November 1944 Target: Nordstern Coking Plant at Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-A.G.
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38673⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
229⇗ 25 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38678⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Aldermaston, due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
234⇗ 2 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Oberlahnstein, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
235⇗ 4 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Soest, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑102518⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
239⇗ 12 December 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 44‑8007⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead. PFF & Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
241⇗ 19 December 1944 Target: Railway Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Glaadt, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 43‑38262⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead. Gee-H ship. Landed away at RAF Fairwood Common near Swansea, Wales.
Sortie Report⇗
242⇗ 23 December 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Ehrang, Germany 		Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑97592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft, replaced 43‑37917. Landed away at RAF Wethersfield, Essex, due to weather. Apparently ferried to Ridgewell prior to 24 December mission.
Sortie Report⇗

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