384th During WWII / 545th Bomb Squadron (Heavy) / Airmen Assigned Without Crew Affiliation, 545 | 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

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Donald William Dooley

2 photos

Donald was assigned to Headquarters Detachment, 384th Bomb Group on 24 July 1944 as a Radar Mechanic, MOS 867. He apparently volunteered for flight status in early September 1944. Records show that he was transferred to the 545th Bomb Squadron and reclassified to MOS 757, Radio Operator/Gunner on 8 September 1944. He was Killed in Action of his first mission, 28 September flying with the James J Brodie Crew when the Brodie Crew, in 42-31222 Lazy Daisy, collided with 43-37822 flown by the John O Buslee Crew. There were only three survivors of the mid-air collision.
Oattis Elwyn Parks

1 photo

Major Oattis E. Parks flew 19 combat missions with the 305th Bombardment Group prior to being assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group. Initially assigned to Headquarters Detachment 384th Bomb Group, Major Parks was transferred to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 25 April 1944, to assume command when the acting Commanding Officer, Captain Langlois, was MIA on the 24 April mission to Oberpfaffenhofen.
Harold Truman Speck

1 photo

Harold Truman Speck was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron as a Pilot, MOS 1091. He flew 8 missions as a co-pilot and was shot down on 4 March 1944. He was held as a Prisoner of War until liberation in May 1945.
Elgin Lewis Hushbeck

1 photo

Elgin was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron from the 482nd Bomb Group as a Navigator without crew affiliation. He flew 24 missions as Squadron or Group Lead Crew Navigator.
Michael John Polito

2 photos

Assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron in July 1943 as a gunner without crew affiliation, Michael flew with various crews before being shot down on his 14th mission, 4 March 1944, with the George Cosentino Crew. Although wounded, he was able to evade capture with the assistance of the Belgian Resistance. He remained with the Resistance until September 1944. Statement from Polito's E&E Report #2113: “On April 1 I joined Service Mark (Belgian Resistance). "Worked with them until 2 Sept. 1944 and worked at HYON near MONS surveying roads, plans of military areas, checked vehicles. Turned in reports to Brussels. Worked under George Scholl (VN/CM 1). Our plans on transparent paper, photographed and sent to (through Brussels). Telegraphed special information to London.”
Timothy Francis Flynn

2 photos

Timothy Flynn was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 20 July 1943 as a gunner with no crew affiliation. He flew 20 missions with various crews, completing his final mission on 16 July 1944 and transferring back to the USA on 24 July 1944.
Hiram Glenn Howard

1 photo

Hiram G. Howard was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 5 August 1943 as a gunner without crew affiliation. He flew 25 missions, completing his final mission on 16 March 1944 and returning to the USA on 24 March 1944.
Arthur Symonds Pelkey Jr

2 photos

Arthur was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 3 August 1943 as a gunner without crew affiliation. He completed 30 combat missions with various crews, several on a lead crew. His last mission was on 27 June 1944.
Joseph G Rachunas

6 photos

Joseph George Rachunas was a member of the 6th Service Squadron when the 6th was assigned to Grafton Underwood, AAF Station 106, in January 1943. He volunteered for flight status in September 1943, flying his first of 24 missions on 3 November 1943. Shot down on 13 April 1944 with the Fioretti Crew, he was held as a Prisoner of War unti l liberation in May 1945.
Henry Frederick Reher

1 photo

Henry was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 3 August 1943 as a gunner without crew affiliation. He was shot down on his third mission, 17 August 1943, flying with the Drewrey F Wofford Crew. He became a Prisoner of war and was held until liberation in May 1945.
Peter Paul Sorbo

1 photo

Peter was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron on 10 July 1943 as a gunner without crew affiliation. He was Killed in Action on his first mission, 12 August 1943, flying with the Robert D Swank Crew.
Arthur Martin Stone Jr

4 photos

Arthur Martin Stone Jr was the Commander of the 545th Bomb Squadron when he went Missing in Action on 10 January 1945, his 13th combat mission. Major Stone had previously been assigned to the Headquarters Detachment, 384th Bomb Group and the 547th Bomb Squadron.
Thomas Joseph Vezina

1 photo

Thomas Vezina was assigned to the 545th Bomb Squadron as a gunner with no crew affiliation. He flew with various crews and was Killed in Action on his 18th mission, 30 January 1944, flying with the Burton R Ross Crew.

384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in World War II

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