LATEPASS! SPRING 2016 ISSUE
WWW.449TH.COM
449th BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION
THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY FLOYD H. TROGDON, PRESIDENT
GREETINGS 449TH VETERANS, SECOND GENERATION MEMBERS AND FAMILIES: Welcome to the 2016 Issue of LatePass!
The Flying Horsemen 449th Bombardment Group (H) B-24 Aircraft Long Range Heavy Bomber WWII European Theater 15th Air Force, 47th Bomb Wing 449th Bombardment Group Bomb Squadrons: 716, 717, 718, 719 January 1944 – April 1945 Grottaglie, Italy Bombardment Targets Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Rumania, Yugoslavia 254 Combat Missions In 475 days of combat, 111 B-24 bombers lost, 199 Axis fighters destroyed Personnel Loss/Interred or Evaded 393 KIA / 63 DED (other deaths) 359 POW / 186 Evaded / 9 Interred Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC) Bucharest, Romania, April 4, 1944 Ploiesti, Romania, July 9, 1944
Much has happened in the 449th Bomb Group Association since our last LatePass was published in late 2014. Emphasis continued on the recovery operations for the Hansen and Kendall Crash sites and considerable progress was made. Mr. Johnie Webb, who is our contact in the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), has written a special report on the recovery operations which is included in this issue of LatePass. The most important detail is that the Hansen Crash Site has been recovered and crew remains from that site are in DPAA Labs for identification. Plans continue for the recovery of the Kendall Crash Site starting later this year. (See details in Mr. Webb’s Report) The Presentation of the painting “Just a Bad Day” to the DPAA in Hawaii occurred on July 27, 2015. (“Just
a Bad Day” was the depiction of the Jan 30, 1944 Air Battle which downed the Kendall B-24, with only Harvey Gann surviving). Dan and Carol Livingston represented the 449th Bomb Group Association and
Harvey Gann in presenting the painting to Lt/General Michael Linnington, DPAA Director. The Painting Presentation was a part of the Ceremony for the dedication of the new Hawaii Headquarters building for the DPAA. By mutual agreement the painting will hang in the new building during the DPAA operations to recover crew remains from the Hansen and Kendall sites. After these operations are completed by DPAA, the painting may be moved to the Pentagon. “ Well Done” Carol and Dan. The 22nd 449th Reunion was held at Charleston SC September 23-26, 2015. Our Hotel was the Charleston Plaza which provided living quarters and facilities for the PX and all major events except the Reunion final meeting and Banquet. These final events were held on the USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier anchored in Charlestown Harbor. Attendance was outstanding with the count at about 230 at the Banquet. In fact, all the events were well attended with the Memorial Service and final Banquet breaking records for many years. The Memorial Service honoring deceased 449th Veterans included a new feature: presentation of a Red Rose by a family member or friend. When the name of the deceased veteran was called, the Rose was picked up in the rear of Auditorium and solemnly walked to and placed on the Alter. Then the next name was called. This lengthens the Service a bit but provides more emphasis to the Individual deceased. Mary Crowley and 2nd Generation members continue to come up with new ideas to make this ceremony more meaningful to all. We missed our long time Chaplain, Harry Snyder, who was himself grieving the loss of his dear wife, Fay in Maine. Our new Chaplain, the Reverend Denise Trogdon led the service in Charleston. We were honored to have as our Banquet Guest Speaker, Medal of Honor Recipient, Major General James Everett Livingston, USMC (Ret). General Livingston’s presentation featured the 449th’s World War II missions against rail facilities which reportedly saved thousands of lives of Jewish prisoners (CONTINUED ON PAGE 2)
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STATUS REPORT
(PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)
being transported to prison camps on the trains. General Livingston had arranged for former Jewish Holocaust prisoner, Joe Ingles, to come to the Reunion to thank the 449th, a moving testimony by one who was saved by one of the 449th Raids.
FOR MACR 2711 AND 12511
BY JOHNIE E. WEBB, JR. / DEFENSE POW/MIA ACCOUNTING AGENCY, JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII
Planning is underway for the 23rd 449th Bomb Group Association Reunion which the membership voted to be in New Orleans In 2016. Dates for the Reunion have been set for September 14-18, 2016. Negotiations are being conducted with the Doubletree Hotel (Hilton) which will be our Reunion Headquarters and the World War II Museum one of the main attractions of New Orleans and where the final Banquet will be held. Finally, I want to discuss the financial status of the 449th Bomb Group Association which has not been a problem but increasingly will become so in future years. Over the last few years, we have maintained a residual cash balance of $15,000 to $30,000 after Reunion expenses were paid. For the Charleston Reunion, we subsidized some of the prices from the 449th Treasury so that some of prices (particularly for food) would be more reasonable for Members. We should note that some of the costs for printing and other administrative functions have been absorbed by the Providers. We cannot expect this to continue in perpetuity. Accordingly, we intend to conduct a new Fund Raising Program starting this year. Alan Davis has agreed to lead this program and will prepare a formal plan which will be presented to the membership later this year. The intent is set an annual goal for new funds and a program to achieve it. The goal will be to provide funds for activities underfunded now and to provide a new source for funding programs to continue and enhance the legend of the 449th.
President Floyd Trogden & Harvey Gann (only survivor of Kendall’s Crew) presents, Mr. Johnie Webb (DPAA) with over 1,100 signatures collected online urging the recovery efforts of the Hanson & Kendall crash site KENDALL CREW – MACR 2711 On 30 Jan 1944, B-24H #41-29217 with a crew of ten was hit by fighter and anti-aircraft fire during an attack on Udine, Italy, lost altitude and seen to crash on coast of Adriatic Sea on Isle of Morgo. There was one survivor and American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) recovered two bodies, which had reportedly been removed from the crash site, from a local cemetery on adjacent island of Grado. In 2010, a small team investigated a crash site in a marsh located in an environmentally protected European Union nature preserve and later correlated it to this missing B-24. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency put a series of plans into motion to assess the strategies to recover this lost crew. Then in May 2014, DPAA archaeologists with experts from the Army Corps of Engineers conducted an on-site survey at this location. They determined that the primary concentration of wreckage is believed to lie 10 to 15 feet below the surface of a duck pond and will require an extensive amount of excavation with special engineering and logistical considerations needed for a successful recovery. The US Army Corps of Engineers provided DPAA a cost estimate for developing a statement of work for environmental assessments and engineering for this site. According to the plans, the first step involves engineering work to prepare the site for excavation. This will be a very complicated process as we cannot allow any of the brackish water from the crater to escape into the surrounding water. It (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7)
449th Bomb Group Association Officers | 2016 President: Floyd H. Trogdon, BrigGen/Retired, 719th Vice President: Richard Lapham, 2nd Gen, 719th Secretary: Mary Crowley, 2nd Gen, 717th
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449th BG Museum: David Duane Livingston Memorial Museum Dan & Carol Livingston, 2nd Gen, 718th
PX Officers: Lynn and Rick Moran, 2nd Gen, 718th Reunion Chairman: Lloyd Rosen, 2nd Gen, 719th
Treasurer: Richard Lapham, 2nd Gen, 719th
Chaplain: Rev. Denise Trogdon, 2nd Gen, 719th
Veterans Correspondence: Deborah Hill, 2nd Generation, 718th
Historian: Mark Coffee, 2nd Gen, 718th
Executive Assistant: Rod Miller, 2nd Gen, 716th
Legacy Project: Alan Davis, 2nd Gen, 716th
Archives Manager: Denise Riegel, 2nd Gen, 718th
Public Relations: Sandra Latta, 2nd Gen, 718th
Social Media Research Tad Garner, 3rd Gen, 717th
449th Flying Horsemen
CREOLES AND CAJUNS
HERE WE COME NEW ORLEANS! BY RICHARD LAPHAM, VP 449TH BOMB GROUP
SEPT. 14-18, 2016
I raised my hand in favor of New Orleans when we voted for the location of our next reunion. I’m not entirely sure why I picked New Orleans, actually any location would be fine with me. I have been to every reunion since Reno and have learned more about this land with the 449th than I ever learned from 17 years of schooling, especially areas east of the Rockies, which might as well have been on the surface of the moon. Since I voted for New Orleans, I figured that I should learn something more than the fact that it is the location of the largest free party on earth, the Mardi Gras. I soon realized that I had either never learned or have long ago forgotten even the slightest idea of New Orleans history. New Orleans was named after Phillip d”Orleans, the French Head of State at the time of French
449th Flying Horsemen
ownership. The French had claimed the territory of Louisiana in the 1690’s. In 1721, the French awarded the proprietorship to the Company of the West at which time city planning had begun street layout for New Orleans. Streets were named after Catholic saints and Royal Houses of France. And here I was looking forward to visiting a few bars on Bourbon Street, when in reality Bourbon Street was named after the Royal House of Bourbon and has absolutely nothing to do with booze!
of themselves as an elite, sophisticated group with little love for the Americans now invading the city.
In 1763, the French sold New Orleans to the Spanish. After two catastrophic fires, along with the deteriorating effects of the tropical climate, the Spanish soon learned to build with native cypress and brick. Much of the architecture today reflects the influence of the French and Spanish periods. From this mix evolved the Creoles who thought
By now New Orleans was a true melting pot; French both Cajun and Creole, Spanish, free people of color, Haitian refugees, American Indian and now the arrival of Americans with the Louisiana Purchase. New Orleans is likely the most culturally diverse city in the world!
Then came the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Thomas Jefferson snatched up the Louisiana territory for a cool $15,000,000 which turned out of course, to be a great deal. The deal was consummated when the United States borrowed the money from Great Britain at an interest rate of 6%.
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A city of incredible history and seemingly endless opportunities for fun: • HOTEL: We will be staying at the Double Tree Inn. Conveniently located near the river, walking distance from the WWII Museum, French Quarter, incredible restaurants, and shopping. • FOOD: I googled Creole Cuisine and 74 restaurants popped up. It appears there is no end to the choices available to the discriminating palette. A majority of these restaurants are in the French quarter, located within walking distance of our hotel. • WWII MUSEUM: Located only six blocks from our hotel, the museum has been designated by the U.S. Congress as America’s official WWII museum. For those that have visited the museum, I have heard nothing but praise and amazement for the powerful images and presentation of the exhibits depicting the hardships and sacrifices of the great generation of men and women in WWII. If you get the chance go to www.nationalww2museum.org to get an idea of the magnitude of the museum. • BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES: An emotional, inspiring documentary of WWII, including special effects, simulated snow and smoke that brings to life the reality of war. Narrated by Tom Hanks, this is a must see spectacle. • BANQUET: Our banquet will be held at the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion in the WWII Museum. The Pavilion houses The Union Pacific Train Station, gallery and exhibits that show amphibious landings, reproduction of the LCVP Higgins boat and a soaring Douglas C-47 aircraft. A beautiful venue to view the pavilion, share a special time with friends, & enjoy an excellent meal. • CITY AND FRENCH QUARTER TOURS: Check out Mardi Gras World, the French Quarter, the above ground level City of the Dead cemetery, the incredible architecture created by the Creoles, the devastation by hurricane Katrina. And finally I plan to dangle my feet in the Mississippi, just so I can say I did it! • AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS: Not an official group tour, but within walking distance of the hotel and a possible short diversion with some off time. Featuring a thirty foot underwater tunnel surrounded by exotic sea animals in the new 4,200 square foot Great Maya Reef. Just watch out for the parakeets, they are master pickpockets.
There was dinner Under the Wings at Wright Patterson air base in Dayton. My thought was that there would be no way to surpass the experience of having prime rib while sitting under the wing of a B-52. It was an amazing experience I won’t soon forget. Then came Charleston and the USS Yorktown. The emotional ride from the hotel to the Yorktown while city police literally closed access to the freeway in honor of the veterans of the 449th Bomb Group. The amazing dinner and dynamic speaker while visiting with good friends on the hanger deck of a famous WWII aircraft carrier was unforgettable. I doubt any of us will ever forget that moment. And now we will meet in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion at the WWII Museum. Once again we will be with friends, enjoying a fine meal and furthering the legacy of our fathers, uncles, and grandfathers. We will be doing this while surrounded with patriotic exhibits depicting the courage and sacrifices of our heroic veterans. And once again, we will be creating a memory; a memory never to be forgotten.
The WWII Flying Horsemen 449th BG Association
Save the Date! The Big Easy...
New Orleans, Louisiana Sept 14 - 18, 2016
Banquet | National WWII Museum Tours: National WWII Museum, Historical City Tour, Mardi Gras World, French Quarter, Garden District, Music, Cajun Food
CALLING ALL Veterans, Widows, Family, 2nd & 3rd Generation and Friends ALL are encouraged to attend this event! EVENT EXCEPTIONALLY HANDICAPPED FRIENDLY DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans 300 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
Phone: (504) 581-1300
Please reference GROUP CODE: BGA
Looking forward to seeing you all and visiting in the Big Easy!
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449TH BG ASSN. & MILITARY AFFILIATIONS
NEW ORLEANS | SEPT. 14-18, 2016
REGISTRATION FORM OR SIMPLY REGISTER ONLINE AT: WWW.449TH.COM 449thBomb Group: I will have a total of
persons attending.
SQDN:
Are you the Veteran or Spouse?
Yes
No
If NO, please state relationship & Veteran’s name: Name(s) of all attendees as they will appear on the NAME TAGS:
Other AFFILIATION:
I will have a total of
Name:
persons attending.
Are you the Veteran or Spouse?
Assgn.: Yes
No
If NO, please state relationship & Veteran’s name: Name(s) of all attendees as they will appear on the NAME TAGS:
Home Address: City:
State:
E-Mail:
Zip Code: Check if appropriate:
This is my 1st reunion
Yes
No
Please make check payable to: 449th BG Association
I have attended
# of Reunions
Mail check to: Deborah Hill / Reunion Register 13262 Chestnut St., Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: New Home Address You will be traveling by:
New Email Address Plane
Car
Please call if you have any questions. Cell: 714-658-6802 Fax: 714-846-0965
HOTEL RATES: $119 per day for our members and are applicable two days before and after the reunion. Please reference GROUP CODE: BGA Call directly to the hotel: 504-581-1300 | Online: www.neworleans.doubletree.com DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New Orleans 300 Canal Street New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130 Phone: (504) 581-1300
REUNION & HOTEL REGISTRATIONS must be made by Aug 31, 2016 * Hotel is located in downtown New Orleans, directly across the street from the French Quarter and is in close proximity to all events * Please note that the hotel rate is significantly less for any hotel in the area given the time of year and incredible location.
Important Information: There is no free shuttle service for any hotels outside the airport. Arrangements need to be made independently. Highly recommended that shuttle transportation needs to be made ahead of time. Need assistance call: Deborah Hill (449th BGA), phone number above. •A irport Shuttle New Orleans: On line reservations or call (866) 596-2699 / (504) 522-3500 or www.airportshuttles.com/neworleans.php. Cost: $24/$44 round trip. Shuttles depart every 15 minutes from baggage claim. Duration: 35-45 minutes Return: Call shuttle service to confirm time. • Taxi Service: $33 for one person, $14 for additional up to three persons, duration is approx. 30 min.
•V iator: For a party of 3 or more Book On-line New Orleans Transfers Viator.com. Private Arrival/Departure Transfer is $20 -22 per person one way. Will be met at baggage or curb. Private sedan or van. Duration is approx. 30 minutes. •P arking at hotel or anywhere in downtown district is limited and very pricey ($40 per day at hotel). • Medical supplies: Call Mr. Wheelchair 504-834-2810 (no delivery charges). Complete this form and send Original with your remittance. Please retain a copy for your registration. REFUND POLICY: If a crisis forces a cancellation, refunds will be available for all items, except registration fee / August 31, 2016.
Registration
NEW ORLEANS - EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Veteran (Accompanied by a Spouse or ONE Traveling Companion) OR Primary Family Member
COST
PERSON TOTAL
$25
Each Additional Family Guest (all ages) $15 Sept. 14 9 AM - 5 PM REGISTRATION / PX & Memorabilia Room Gathering 5:30 PM GET ACQUAINTED PARTY – Appetizers/Light Buffet *The 1940’s evening will come alive with vintage dress, song & entertainment! $29 Sept. 15 9:00 AM The National WWII Museum Tour is 4 to 8 hours. On your own schedule. $35 * WWII Veterans are FREE. Only pay for transportation.
$10
THURSDAY
Your visit begins in the Solomon Victory Theater with the first daily showing of Beyond All Boundaries. At your leisure visit the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion of D-Day and Home Front exhibits. Follow the footsteps of the American citizen soldier in the Campaigns of Courage with 360-degree displays of the European and Pacific Theaters. Venture into the US Freedom Pavilion and view at ground level tanks & trucks or brave the sky-high catwalks for an up-close look at the aircraft. There is much, much more! Spend as much or as little time as you want. *L unch on your own: Quality food at the American Sector Restaurant & Bar or The Soda Shop * Shopping: There is an extensive museum store for shopping * Shuttle bus back to the hotel: 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 *C ost Includes: Museum admission fees, movie & bus transportation to and from hotel. * Handicapped Friendly: Wheelchairs provided for senior at no charge 7:00 PM 449th SQUARDON DINNER / ROMANIAN POW DINNER $35 Sept. 16 9:00 -3:00 PM City Tour & Mardi Gras World Tour is 6 hours. $50
FRIDAY
The tour will start with a visit to Mardi Gras World, where artist and sculptors create majestic floats and other carnival creations. We will pass by the areas of the famous French Quarter, historical Jackson Square and view some of the areas affected by hurricane Katrina. Next we enter into 1830’s; viewing different style of homes represented in this area. The tour will also include a stop at an historic aboveground “City of the Dead” cemetery, the City Park and time for lunch. The journey will continue, following the bayou to Lake Pontchartrain and then onto Carrollton, where the end of the streetcar line could take you back to Canal St. We will continue by pass by Universities of Tulane and Loyola, Audubon Park and the mansion areas (1850’s) of St. Charles Ave. Finally, we follow the parade route of the Mardi Gras parades, and then return back to the Garden District (1840-1860) viewing architecture represented of this era. * Lunch on your own *Handicapped Friendly/Minimal Walking 6:00 - 9:00 PM *OPTIONAL* Malate’s Restaurant Dinner 3 hours. $10
Sept .17
Dinner Reservations Only – dinner on your own. Mulate’s restaurant invites you to experience live Cajun music and authentic Cajun cuisine: Gumbos, blackened alligator, fresh fish specials, red beans and rice, PoBoy, Cajun BBQ Ribs, Jambalaya, and their world-famous bread pudding with butter rum sauce. * Cost is shuttle transportation only - dinner on your own * Limit to the first 60 reservations 8 AM BREAKFAST Everyone is Encouraged to Attend.
$18
MEMORIAL SERVICE Held Immediately After Breakfast.
12:00 – 3:00 PM Tour: French Quarter Tour 3-4 hours On your own schedule.
SATURDAY
$28
The tour consist of minimal walking to lunch OR a walking tour through the Quarter. The French Quarter is the oldest part of the city with extremely dense history and one-of-a-kind architecture. The tour begins with an orientation & map of the area. The tour Guides will be available to direct you to several locations: suggested places for lunch, Bourbon Street, Old French Market, live music, Palm Court Café, Preservation Hall, Café du Monde, Pat O’Brien’s, etc. Buses will leave the hotel to a designated drop-off & pick-up area. Buses will shuttle back to the hotel each hour so that the tour is at your own leisure. Experience the traditional taste, sights and sounds of the Big Easy! 6:30 – 10:00 PM BANQUET The National WWII Museum
$58
• Dining in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion (Chicken or Salmon) • Guest Speaker - TBA • Access only to designated area - Louisiana Memorial Pavilion /D-Day and Home Front exhibits • Includes Charted Bus transportation • If ONLY attending the Banquet event (not the reunion) the cost of admission & dinner: $78
TOTAL
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now appears we will have to bring a barge into the area, establish a coffer dam around it and then open the crater and then move the barge to a location that will allow for the excavation. Once that is complete, an actual excavation can take place. The site also contains unexploded ordnance, so Explosive Ordnance Disposal factors need to be considered during excavation planning. DPAA asked the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with a detailed statement of work by the end of fiscal year 2016, and will also request an environmental assessment be done in this timeframe. Barring unforeseen delays to the engineering plans, environmental assessments, and landowner approvals DPAA hopes to begin the excavation in search of remains of this lost crew starting sometime in 2017. HANSON CREW – MACR 12511 On 28 February 1945, B-24J #42-51642 departed from Grottaglie Air Base and did not return from a bombing mission on the Isarco/ Albes railroad bridge. The entire crew of eleven was killed in the incident and six crewmembers have not been recovered. The aircraft was
last sighted losing altitude nearing the Alps on the Italian-Austrian border. The recovered crewmembers were found along a 150 km stretch of the Adriatic coast in Italy, suggesting that the aircraft crashed in the water. In August 2013 DPAA received information that Italian divers recently found possible human remains and aircraft wreckage including a partial serial number that corresponds to MACR 12511 at an underwater site near Grado, Italy. Based on this information, DPAA dispatched an Underwater Investigation Team to investigate the site in May 2014. The team confirmed the site as being that of MACR 12511 and recommended the site for recovery. From 25 August through 13 October 2015 an Underwater Recovery Team from DPAA conducted recovery operations at the site, recovering human remains, artifacts and personal effects, to include identification media. The remains of multiple individuals were recovered during the mission, but we cannot be sure how many people are represented until the identification process is complete. The remains recovered from the site were taken to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force
Base in Omaha, Nebraska for analysis. Once the remains arrived at the laboratory they had to go through a desalination process to remove the salt from the remains. This process removes the salt absorbed in the bones from the ocean water so it does not crystallize when the bones dry and cause damage to the remains. This process is now complete and the remains are undergoing laboratory analysis to include DNA testing. The DNA samples have been cut and sent to the lab for the actual testing. Identifications for should be established within the next few months. Once the identification of a crewmember has been established the complete report will be sent to the Army Casualty Office at Fort Knox. They will then make an appointment with the primary next of kin to arrange for a meeting to present the information to the family. The 449th Bomb Group Association has closely followed DoD’s work on these cases and we honor their commitment to their fallen brothers who have not yet returned. We are proud of the support from veteran’s organizations and will diligently continuing working to bringing America’s fallen heroes home.
2015 REUNION | VETERANS BANQUET
Standing: B/Gen Floyd Trogdon/ USAF (Ret.), Major General James E. Livingston/USMC (Ret.), Middle Row: John McCormick, Wayne Kennedy, Robert Lang, Bob Herres, Floyd Haywood/ Col. USAF Ret., Bill Hamill, Robert Geisert Font Row: Clif Denny/ Maj. USAF Ret., Ed Cromwell, Leroy Compson, James Burnett/ Lt. Col. USAF Ret., Judge Maurice Braswell, John “Doc” Allen
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HISTORIAN’S CORNER The Peace Chapel of Tettelham MARK COFFEE, 449TH GROUP HISTORIAN (For documentation and research contact 449historian@gmail.com)
In the northern foothills of the Alps in Southeast Upper Bavaria, the Schlossberg Von Tettelham (castle hill from Tettelham) rises above the rolling pasture lands of the village of the same name. On top of the hill once stood the castle Obertettelham, originally the seat of the medieval Lords of Tettelham and later a court administered by the Archbishop of Salzburg. The court was moved to Waging in 1697 and the castle was left to decay. Today only low walls remain. Following World War I, German veterans returning home planted a Friedenslinde (Lime-tree of peace) atop the Schlossberg in 1919 as an expression of their thankfulness for their safe return home from the war. In the winter of 1944 an American B-24 Liberator was shot down over the area, disintegrating in the air and its wreckage fell to earth on and around the Schlossberg. A wing from the bomber fell into the Friedenslinde heavily damaging the tree. Six members of the crew lay dead. After the war, returning German veterans once again wanted to commemorate their safe return home. In 1946 construction on a small chapel was begun next to the Friedenslinde atop the Schlossberg. A metal ball found in the wreckage of the B-24 was put on top of the bell tower, and above the ball was erected a Pax-Christi-Cross. Inside the chapel candle sticks were installed, each bearing the name of a local comrade killed or missing in action. The builders also wanted to honor the former enemies who died in the air crash. Inside the chapel, a small plaque lists the
names of the six airmen who perished. A memorial tablet commemorates the crash of the American bomber. On February 20, 1944, the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe launched Operation Argument, a series of attacks on the German aircraft industry by the combined Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces. These attacks were designed to weaken the German Air Force not only by limiting aircraft production, but by attrition of their fighters in the air battles these attacks were sure to provoke. The ultimate goal of Operation Argument was the attainment of air superiority prior to the invasion of Europe. This series of attacks concluded on February 25 and later became known as “Big Week”. The 449th Bomb Group conducted three missions in support of Operation Argument. On February 22, the group attacked the Obertraubling Bf-109 plant at Regensburg, Germany, losing six aircraft. A total of 10 men were killed, another 10 were taken POW and 21 men evaded capture and returned. Two aircraft crash landed at friendly fields with no loss of crew. On the 23rd, the group attacked the Steyrwaffen Walzergerwerke ballbearing factory at Steyr, Austria. The Jeutter crew crashed shortly after takeoff killing the entire crew, and the Wingfield crew was shot down with 7 men killed and 3 POWs. The 449th made its final contribution to Operation Argument on February 25, returning to Regensburg to attack the Prufening Messerschmitt plant. The plan called for the 5 B-24 groups of the 47th Wing to attack Regensburg while the B-17’s of the 5th Wing were split between Regensburg and Klagenfurt. The B-24’s of the 304th Wing were to hit the Thalenof Airdrome at Graz, Austria. Meanwhile, the Eighth Air Force was sending the 1st Bomb Division to strike Stuttgart and Augsburg; the 2nd Bomb Division was sent to Furth; and the 3rd Bomb Division was to coordinate attacks with the Fifteenth at Regensburg.
The 449th was tasked to lead the third wave of the 47th Wing, joined by 18 aircraft from the 451st BG. The group launched 36 aircraft beginning at 0820 and proceeded to the rendezvous point but the 451st aircraft did not meet them so the group proceeded on alone. Northwest of Bari, the group encountered a B-24 group from the 304th Wing approaching on a collision course. Major McIlheran leading the 449th elected to make a 360° turn to the left to avoid the approaching group. During the maneuver, the second section of 18 aircraft became separated and attached itself to the group from the 304th Wing. This group proceeded to attack Graz with generally poor results. Ten to fifteen enemy fighters were encountered in the Graz area but were not aggressive, lobbing rockets from a distance. The remaining first section returned to the briefed course for Regensburg. Before reaching the Initial Point (IP) smoke could be seen rising from the target from the attacks of preceding groups. Although the area was covered in smoke, the outline of the target was still discernable. Bombs were dropped at 1257 into the smoke and immediately a new large column of heavy black smoke rose to a height of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. Attacks by enemy fighters began in the target area and were continuous until the mountains at the Austrian border were reached. Unlike those in the Graz area, the fighters were extremely aggressive and employed a mix of single and twinengine aircraft. The 716th Squadron aircraft #59, 42-7727 with the Forbes crew aboard was shot down by fighters just after the formation left the target area. All ten men aboard were killed. At about the same time aircraft #53, Sophisticated Lady with the Bradley crew, also of the 716th, was hit by fighters and left the formation with the #2 engine feathered. This crew was engaged in an epic running gun battle with the attacking fighters until the crew finally had to bail out in northern Yugoslavia. Left waist gunner Paul Big(CONTINUED ON PAGE 9)
HISTORIAN’S CORNER (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8)
debris rained down on his father’s farm. The local parish priest came and administered last rites to the five dead soldiers found near the crash site. Seehuber would later say that on this day he realized how terrible a war really was. The next day the priest, with the aid of Seehuber’s father and the Mayor, performed a Christian burial for Knapp, Allen, Wood, Griffin and Wright in the parish cemetery in nearby Otting. The body of Charles Anderson was found away from the crash site and buried in the cemetery at Traunstein. Andreas Seehuber grew up to take over his father’s farm and would become a member of the Bavarian Parliament from 1978 to 1995. The terrible events of February 25, 1944 never left his thoughts. In 1985 he began a long search to locate the surviving members of the crew and relatives of the fallen. His efforts located bombardier Ernest Johnson as well as relatives of several of the crewmen who were killed. Knap’s Crew: 716th Sqdn. (photo taken at Topeka AAF with “Dumbo I” a/c Oct ’43) Front row L to R: Ernest Johnson (B), Robert Knapp (P), Albert Bridgham (CP) and Walter Kaess (N). Standing: Charles Griffen (WG), Charles Anderson (R/Op), Cornelius Moriarty (G), Dennis Wood (E), Daniel Buda (TG) and Lloyd Wright (BG). Four Survived: Kaess, and Johnson sent to Stalag Luft I, at Barth Germany. Moriarty and Buda were sent to Stalag Luft III, Poland. Six KIA: Knapp, Allen Wood, Anderson, Griffin, Wright (Replacement Co-Pilot Lt. Henry Allen was flying his first mission) gart had been killed in the fighter attacks but the remaining 9 crew members were able to evade capture with the help of local Partisans and returned to base in early April. The crew claimed 15 fighters shot down during the battle and the entire crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Approximately 15 minutes after the target, a third 716th aircraft, #61 Shack?Wolf! flown by the Robert Knapp crew was hit by a rocket fired by the Bf109 of Lt. Max Endriss of I/JG 5. The ship was soon engulfed in flames from the nose to the waist section and crewmen began to bail out. The ship was then seen to explode, raining debris down on Schlossberg von Tettelham. Bombardier Ernest Johnson, Navigator Walter Kaess, waist gunner Cornelius Moriarity, and tail gunner Daniel Buda successfully bailed out and were taken POW. One of the gunners, probably waist gunner Charles Anderson attempted to ride down on the back of Buda but fell off when
Buda’s chute opened. Another parachute probably belonging to ball gunner Lloyd Wright was seen on fire from falling debris and streamed down rapidly. Still in the fuselage were found the bodies of pilot Robert Knapp, co-pilot Henry Allen (a new crew pilot flying his first mission), flight engineer Dennis Wood and nose gunner Charles Griffin. The twelve ships that had gone to Graz returned at 1517. Two hours later seven of the Regensburg ships arrived at base. Four ships were down at friendly fields, not including the Wilson Jones crew that was initially reported as MIA but had landed at Foggia. The returning aircraft had claimed 12 enemy fighters destroyed, 3 probably destroyed and 2 damaged. The 449th’s loses were 3 ships with 30 men MIA and one man wounded among the returning ships. On the ground, fourteen year old Andreas Seehuber watched as the stricken Shack?Wolf! crashed to earth on the snow-covered Schlossberg and
In August 1988, Seehuber helped organize a German-American festival of friendship and peace to commemorate the air crash of 45 years prior. Bombardier Ernest Johnson, along with two sisters of ball gunner Lloyd Wright were able to attend the festival. Also attending were local dignitaries including Bavarian Minister-President Franz Josef Strauss and representatives from the U.S. Air Force. Among the events of the festival was the unveiling of a memorial plaque at the Chapel of Peace atop the Schlossberg noting the events of February 25, 1944. On February 25, 1945, the one-year anniversary of the loss of the Knapp crew, Lt. Henry Allen was awarded a posthumous Silver Star. The award citation commends Lt. Allen for staying at his post amid the flames attempting to keep the ship level and allowing other crew members to escape the burning ship. Navigator Walter Kaess noted in his post-war debriefing after repatriation that both pilots were trapped on the flight deck by the fire. Waist gunner Cornelius Moriarity in his post-war statement stated he saw Lt. Robert Knapp flying the plane and Lt. Allen unconscious or dead from the fighter attacks. Regardless, the courageous actions of the pilots on the flight deck allowed six members of the crew to exit the burning ship. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 10)
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HISTORIAN’S CORNER (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9)
CRASH SITE VISIT — OCT. 3 2015 MARY CROWLEY (449TH BGA SEC., 717TH, 2ND GEN)
For some time the events of MACR 2617 – Knapp (Missing Air Crew Report) has come into question. It appears that over the years the information about this tragic crash has become obscured by conflicting information or the documentation has been misinterpreted. I had mentioned to Mark Coffee that I was planning to visit the Bavarian area in Germany right after the reunion, (leaving Charleston for Munich) and that I would attempt to find the crash site and provide any additional information for his article that might be available. Just in case I was successful, I gathered up 449th BG memorabilia from the PX for gifts. Mark gave me the GPS coordinates of the crash site (Latitude 47.94772N Longitude 12.67838 E.) and a simple satellite map of the area: 70 mi. southeast of Munich, 45 mi. northwest of Salzburg, Austria and approximately 60 mi. north of Berchtesgaden, Germany. (I had no clue what I was looking for or what a 70 year old crash site would look like. I discovered much more!) Once off the Autobahn, this area in Northern Bavaria become very rural, with impressive lush green rolling hills, dotted with isolated villages and immaculately groomed farm land. The roads become smaller; from a two lane highway, to a smaller two lane road, to a single lane the width of a tracker. Winding around the low lying hills, I eventually drove down a narrow lane, passing a large farm house. The GPS indicated I was close to my destination. Oddly, out of know where there appeared a park bench alongside the road with two elderly women sitting and chatting. After a brief exchange they pointed me back to the farm house that I had just passed. Not only was the charming and youthful 85 year old Adreas Seehuber at home, but also his daughter Elizabeth, who had dropped by for a visit. She was a school teacher and spoke very good English. They informed me that the crash site was on top of the knoll and that I could begin my hike at the park bench.
On the day of the crash, Adreas remembers he had planned to go Alpine (skiing). He remember the family having to climb up the hill to get to the crash site. One farm building was destroyed by a propeller and one pig died. The family could hear the bombers passing overhead; part of a group passed by and one minute later, another group. It was his father who took the gold globe from the hydraulic system of the aircraft and later used it as part of the steeple. In gratitude, I gave him the 449th goody bag from the PX. Upon departure, Adreas handed me all of his correspondence, research and documentation to be donated to our 449th BG museum in San Jose, CA.
The highlight of the journey was not just climbing through the brush to the top of the hill where the memorial chapel was built, but equally, having the pleasure and privilege of being invited into Herr Adreas Seehuber’s charming family home for a talk and refreshments. While there we learned that Adreas (age 14 years at the time) was an eyewitness to the crash and had extensive knowledge and documents related to the crash. The Seehuber farm has been in his family for over 550 years.
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TRACTOR ROAD AND THE “BENCH”
449th Flying Horsemen
A TRIP BACK IN TIME
PLOESTI DENISE RIEGEL (718TH, 2ND GEN ~ ARCHIVES) UNITED STATES PEACH CORPS, MOLDOVA
I was so heartbroken to miss the Charleston Reunion. As most of you know, it takes something really HUGE to keep me away. And it was - The Peace Corps. I am serving in Moldova for two years and am eight months into that service. I will also miss the New Orleans reunion. But after I return home to the USA, there is no keeping me away from my 449th pals! THE CHAPEL OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY
Moldova is in Eastern Europe and I have been taking advantage of my location! After Christmas I was able to take a vacation to Romania with 5 other Peace Corps Volunteers. Moldova is right next door, and they speak Romanian, so it was a win-win for our first trip out of country. What was the coolest part? We drove through Ploesti! That’s right, the big, bad oilfields of Romania that struck terror into the hearts of every airman who flew a mission there. Looking at the flat landscape as far as you could see all around it was hard to imagine the smudge pots, flak guns, enemy fighters and the many defenses that claimed a large percentage of our ships. I have heard many of the stories and have a vivid picture in my mind of what those missions looked like. But this time it was blue skies, brown grassy fields, cities, highways and yes, refinery stacks and pipelines throughout. I didn’t have any time to look around or visit sites, but I did take time to say a prayer for all of those men who never made it home from a Ploesti Mission. As a daughter of a proud 449th veteran, I was thrilled to be driving through this historical place 70 years after my Dad experienced these difficult skies.
CROSS MADE FROM A PART OF THE B-24 SHACK? WOLF! HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
My next vacation is to Croatia and I will be visiting Split. This is where my Dad and his crew bailed out of their ship because with the damage they suffered they couldn’t make it to Vis. I don’t know if I’ll be able to find anything that is a reminder of that time (I hope they have a WWII museum), but I will be there remembering stories from my Dad and his crew member George Ditzhazy about that fateful event. Fortunately they were able to evade the enemy and return to Italy. This trip is for you George, you and Dad will be with me the whole time!
LAST SURVIVING EYEWITNESS TO CRASH, ADREAS SEEHUBER
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EVERYONE HANGS AT THE PX Lynn and Rick Moran (716th) manage the PX store, reunion raffle and on-line sales. The 449th BG is extremely indebted to their unwavering commitment in making the association solvent. They truly are the unsung heroes behind the scene. Though they live in Pennsylvania, they literally have to “hit the road� to attend a reunion. No matter the state, they pack up their van with 449th merchandise and drive. They are the first to arrive and last to leave.
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449th Flying Horsemen
449TH BG PX STORE 449th 449th
BOMB GROUP 19
40 The Flying Horsemen
B O M B G R O U P 40
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449th
The Flying Horsemen
BOMB GROUP
The Flying Horsemen
MAXIMUM EFFORT
449th
BOMB GROUP
The Flying Horsemen
MAXIMUM EFFORT
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The Flying Horsemen
GH LYIN ORSEM EF E TH
40
449th
BOMB GROUP 19
The Flying Horsemen
PARKING FOR B-24S ONLY! ALL OTHERS WILL BE BOMBED!
449th Flying Horsemen
449th
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BOMB GROUP 13
LIMITED EDITION | SIGNED AND NUMBERED
JUST A BAD DAY
$200 DONATION Artist ~ Todd Price
AUTOGRAPHED BY HARVEY GANN 718TH BS, KENDALL CREW, FLIGHT ENGINEER, POW
• Autographed by Harvey Gann 718th BS, Kendall Crew, only survivor • Painting is loaned to the DPAA in Hawaii Final placement - Pentagon, Washington DC • Unframed print (approx size: 25” x 15”) • High Quality Print • Certificate of authenticity and registered number • 449th BGA letter for tax donation/nonprofit organization, and free shipping)
Let all remember, sacrifice does not have a price and that the price of our freedom today was not cheap! Your purchase helps preserve the 449th BG legacy and the memory of the young airmen who gave their all. Mail your order and check to: 449th BG Legacy Project, Alan Davis 370 Braewood Drive | Chillicothe, OH 45601 | ardforchillicothe@gmail.com
MEMORIAL SERVICE — ROLL CALL OF HONOR — RED ROSE Coveys Respect, Love, and Courage
New Orleans - September 17, 2016 As part of this sacred and honorable tribute given to our fallen heroes each year, it has come to our attention that there are families who have not been able to attend the service, but wish to have their AIRMAN’S name or a specific CREW to be included in Roll Call of Honor during the Memorial Service. For a minimal donation of $25 (to cover expenses: rose, program and postage) your airman’s name will be placed on the Roll Call of Honor and read within his squadron. A RED ROSE will be escorted down the aisle when the name is read and then placed on the Missing Man Table. The Red Rose will remain on the Missing Man Table for the banquet held later that evening. After the reunion, a Memorial program will be sent to you. For those who would like to have their AIRMAN’S name read or that of a specific CREW, Please enclose a check $25 with this request to: 449th BGA – Legacy Project Alan Davis 370 Braewood Dr. | Chillicothe, OH 45601-2171
In honor of Airman / Crew Given in honor by
Squadron (if known)
Home of the 449th BGA Archives & Memorabilia Another amazing reunion has come and gone leaving us with memorable moments enjoying the camaraderie of veterans and families. All while seeing the great city of Charleston.
pings, local information of the area, mementoseven two meat cutting manuals. The other box was filled with two uniforms, one of which we will display on a mannequin just ordered.
Rekindling friendships from past years and making new ones is always a highlight of the trip. One sure place to get conversations going is the PX. Expertly run by Lynn and Rick Moran, they took the helm from John and Jean Aulner at the Louisville Reunion. The Aulner’s really set the bar seeking out items that attendees would enjoy and driving to each Reunion with a carload of popular items to offer for sale. The Moran’s have certainly stepped up to the plate and hit a home run providing an array of T shirts, books, pins, patches and many other items, including customized mugs and shot glasses- made and donated by Alan Davis.
Bud Rosch (716th) went to the trouble to make a copy of his oral history, recorded at one of the Reunions, and sent it to us to have on hand.
Mat Mathieu (718th) was kind to provide his flight glasses including the case. He believes he received the glasses when he started Advanced Navigation School in Texas 1943.
The Louisville reunion brought Sheldon Zimmerman to attend in honor of his father, Sheldon Schwartz (719th). He offered us the storyboard he brought to share. With his permission, we turned it into a large shadowbox, now on display at the museum.
Leroy Compson (717th) shared the history leading up to his military service, training to become a Tail Gunner, as well as many of his adventures while serving overseas. He allowed us to make a copy to be able to bring it to each Reunion for a great read.
Lois Trumbull donated several items that belonged to her husband, Roger Trumbull (717th). On display are his pipe along with an ashtray made in Italy of aircraft metal, and a plaque with the names of his crew and a small mounted B-24.
These items join, Jim Coulton’s father, Herbert Coulton’s uniform (718th) , ribbons and photo previously displayed at several Reunions as well as Jean Aulner’s brother’s naval uniform.
Over time this hub of activity evolved into a place to allow Dan and I the opportunity to display a small portion of our museum for viewing. The atmosphere of the PX really encourages story telling and reminiscing plus the chance to bring history to light. Story boards, albums plus uniforms and shadow box displays abound. We’ve been fortunate to receive a number of items for display at the museum. Some time ago, Barb Edmonds shared her father, Albert Schwartz (717th), cookbook from his days preparing meals for the men as well as a CD of many photos. We also just received two boxes. One contained many photos (originals of those on the CD) as well as documents, news clip-
449th Flying Horsemen
January 2015 brought a windfall of personal documents when Mary Crowley had the opportunity to visit with the family of Hal Strack (719th) in Incline Village, NV. She was given boxes of a complete set of “Late Pass” and “Crosshairs” (for Bombardiers) among other publications plus an amazing print of “Doolittle’s Raiders” signed by Jimmy Doolittle and 15 other airmen, one each from the total of 16 planes in the group In December we received from Bill Hamill (719th) not only the silk escape map he carried with him on all 50 missions he flew, but a two
star Sons in Service banner his mother hung in the window while he and his brother were away serving their county.
October at the museum in Campbell, CA brought us visitors from Fayetteville, NC-new friends we had met at the Reunion, Steve and Phyllis Smith. Steve’s uncle, Allen Carrico, was a Bombardier with the 718th. They came to California to visit family and were kind to add us to their itinerary. Dan took them on a tour of the various displays. It was so great to have visitors from the 449th. We appreciate very much the opportunity to display 449th memorabilia, now in its own separate room at the museum. Reunion Group members who happen to travel west are welcome to give us a call and come by. Dan’s daytime number is (408) 371-0661
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22nd Reunion Recap
THE CHARLESTON ADVENTURE WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD! BEHIND THE SCENES • The reunion began with a TV crew and coverage, The WWII 449th BG is in town! ~ Channel 2 NBC. Sandra Latta (716th, 2nd) always makes the magic happen by sending out an official press release before the Veterans hit the tarmac. • The kick-off Get Acquainted Party Wednesday evening came alive with 1940’s vintage dress and songs of the era, directed by the talented Trogdon sisters, with one daughter on the piano keys. Berry Trodgon provided the perfect pitch for the sing along. The finale, Parade of Hats, was led by the spry 94 year old Edith Van Lier (719th) and songbird Doris Hamill (719th) leading the pageant. • A tribute to President Floyd Trodgon (719th) and Secretary Mary Crowley (honoring her father, Wally Green, 717th) was presented by Dan & Carol Livingston. Each received a beautifully crafted display that include an etched list of their respective 50 missions, accomplishments, and a model of a B-24
the Association. Equally, for the commitment to future generations by preserving the 449th BG legacy.” • Special thank you to the Braswell family (Romanian POW) for assisting with the musical entertainment for the Banquet. Son, Mark Braswell, arranged for a professional performance of melodies from his musical Paying the Price which was inspired by his father’s WWII experience. ODD & ENDS • Twenty determined Veterans came together to support and honor their fellow airmen: 3 Pilots, 2 Co-Pilots, 4 Navigators, 2 Bombardiers, 2 Flight/Eng., 3 Radio/Ops, 2 Tail Gunners, 1 Ball Gunner, 1 Squadron Medic. • Of the airmen that were present: 2 Original Cadre, 5 POWs, 2 Downed & Evaded, 1 Bailed & EVD, USAF Ret: B/ General, 2 Colonels, Major • The average age of attending Veterans was 92 years young
• Thursday, the light rain did not dampen our spirits or stop us from seeing the old market area of Charleston and Fort Sumter. That is what plastic ponchos are for!
• There were 11 wives & 5 widows
• That evening, even though the Squadron Night was combined this year in one large banquet room, the squadrons managed to stake out their own territory! The 719th won the Squadron Logo quiz thanks to Kent Sullwold (719th, 2nd Gen). Finally, special acknowledgement for the reliable crooner Ed West (717th) who always entertains and provides the modified renditions of the 449th songs from Italy.
• Vernon Peterson, (716th), 97 years old, started attending the reunions five years ago and is always accompanied by a large entourage of four generations!
• The group set out on Friday to visit the beautiful and historical Magnolia plantation. A bit of that “southern humidity” did not deter our adventures as we rode the tram though the swamp gardens. • At the MIA/POW forum, Harry Kiefer (nephew, MIA Harry McGuire 718th) eloquently provided valuable information to other MIA families about the process of identification, DPAA paper work, and funeral arrangements. • On Saturday, the carriage ride though the street of old Charleston was an impressive history lesson of 300 years in 30 blocks! • For the journey to our banquet at Patriots Point and the USS Yorktown, the freeway was shut down! With flags flying and the roar of motorcycles, the banquet buses were escorted across town by the motorcycle brigade of the Ohio Patriotic Guard. • At the banquet, President Floyd Trogdon received the Generation/ Legacy Award, presented by four generations. “In recognition of dedicated service, immeasurable contribution and continued success of
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• Ten new families came for the very first time.
• Veterans got to actually meet Deborah Hill (718th 2nd Gen) who annually volunteers to contact our airmen around the country – she is the voice on the other end of the line. (She will be calling soon) • The most valuable item at the reunion– Mark Coffee’s computer (718th 2nd Gen) and data base. As the historian, he was available for Q & A and quick research. • Dan & Carol Livingston (718th 2nd Gen) always keep us guessing with displays from the 449th/David Duane Livingston Memorial Museum, San Jose, CA. No matter the destination, they always manage to transport something unique from the museum that is informative & educational. • Veteran James Barnett (718th) brought his new bride. • The Potts and Colson families met for the first time &represented the crew of Thunder Bay, Downed 24 March 1944, 6 KIA • The grand southern gentleman from Virginia, Floyd Haywood (716th), 96 yrs. old, also attended with his daughter. “It was on my bucket list to attend this reunion!”
449th Flying Horsemen
• You can only get the extremely popular, beautifully etched 449th BG w/logo items (glasses, mugs, pitchers) by attending the reunion. • Veteran Leroy Compson, (717th & his wife Agnes) were driven to the reunion by their son Loren and his wife Joyce. The first leg of the journey began in Glens Falls, New York driving south to Melbourne, Florida, where he picked up his parents, before turned around and driving north to Charleston, SC. After the reunion, Loren drove his parents back to Florida and then north to New York. Uniquely, Leroy’s grandson Keith and his two sons, Seth and Evan (great grandsons) were attending a weekend Boy Scout event held on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown at the same time as Saturday’s banquet. An additional highlight to the evening for the Compson family, Leroy’s Great grand Uncle, Hartwell B. Compson, was a recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. Entering into the Medal of Honor museum aboard ship, Hartwell’s name can be seen listed on the honor wall, including the specifics for awarding the medal. • Welcome to the board: Alan Davis (716, 2nd Gen) Legacy Project & Tad Garner (717th 3rd Gen) social media / eyes and ears on the World Wide Web. • Bud Rosch (716th) has more reunion pins on his hat than anyone and wears them proudly. It is always a joy to hear his stories. • Eleven Ilizaliturri (716th) family members flew from California to honor their father/grandfather • Mrs. Patricia Latta (718) widow of J. Edward Latta has attended ALL 22 reunions! • With heavy hearts, there were several sons and daughters attending the reunion in honor of their fathers who had most recently passed away. • There were sons present, who were representing their fathers because they were unable to attend and sons of KIA airmen who had never met their fathers. • Though the Romanian POW group has disbanded, we have welcomed the members to our reunions. Maurice Braswell (99th BG) was in attendance along with two of our own airmen: John McCormick (719th) and Bob Herres (717th). The 449th had over 100 Romanian POWs. • How does veteran Reese Mathieu (718th) stay looking so young?
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER BY REV. DENISE A TROGDON
“Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.” A NON-DENOTATIONAL SERVICE, DEVOTED TO THE AIRMEN OF THE 449TH BG
Excerpts from the Memorial Service – In May of 1943, a community of brothers was created and the bonds among them endure today. It must have been terrifying for those young airmen, away from home in a foreign land, facing many dangers. The friendships formed in that journey were sealed in their common vision and tested under great stress. God dwelled in the midst of them inspiring bravery and hope to persevere even in the darkest times. A reverence for liberty and justice kept them going for 254 missions, and a God of peace instilled in them a greater vision. If they lost sight of that vision, they had to be hope for each other. Liberation is at the heart of God’s desire for humanity, and these men served God well. Some were lost before they could see the fruits of their labor. Others were left to tell the story. Despite the horrors of war, God’s love prevailed. Many of them did just that and we are here today honoring them, and the men who returned from battle to give us all a better life. For those who returned- many have carried the powerful wounds of war so that new generations could be liberated. We have gathered today to create a sacred time and space to honor those we love and have lost and you who served, who stand among us. Remembering that the liberty we now enjoy was based upon toil and sacrifice, we give thanks for their service and to the God who stands with all who are oppressed and suffer. MEMORIAL SERVICE | ROLL CALL OF HONOR Red Rose — coveys respect, love, and courage At the end of each Memorial service the Roll Call of Honor is read. It consists of known deceased airmen who have passed away within the last year, airmen whose names have not previously been acknowledged and the names of the deceased airmen from the state in which the reunion is being held. The Roll Call of Honor also includes the names of airmen whose families are in attendance. A member of the family is given a Red Rose to be escorted and placed on the Missing Man’s Table.
• Several MIA/KIA families were in attendance for their lost ones. They too, will never be forgotten.
Memorial Service ~ Roll Call of Honor – New Orleans Red Rose ~ September 17, 2016
• Did you know that Wayne Kennedy (716th) has the most posts on Facebook?
As part of this sacred and honorable tribute given to our fallen heroes each year, it has come to our attention that there are families who have not been able to attend the service, but wish to have their AIRMAN’S name or a specific CREW to be included in Roll Call of Honor, Memorial service. PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE 14 for additional information.
• As a full day of activities would come to a close, a faintly heard whisper from our dearly departed Veteran Ed Kolek (717th) could be heard. “If you can’t find me in the PX socializing, I’ll be conferencing in the First Aid Tent (pub).” Most vintage stories are often shared over a nightcap! • There certainly were 449th angels watching over our reunion. Two days after we left Charleston flooded!
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449TH BG 22ND REUNION
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449th Flying Horsemen
THE LEGACY PROJECT HONOR ROLL “Legacy = Something received from a predecessor or from the past.”
Names Read at Memorial Service 716th Squadron
BY ALAN DAVIS, 2ND GEN, 716TH
176th
Stewart BEDFORD
The 449th BG Association was initially formed to give those who served in the 449th BG (H) an opportunity to meet and to share news about their lives and stories about their service. More recently it has become an opportunity for their children, grandchildren and others to gain a better understanding of the service and sacrifice behind the legacy of freedom they received from those who served. In a few short years the opportunity to have that first hand experience with the veterans of the 449th BG (H) will have past. But the importance of sharing the stories behind their service and sacrifice will become all the more important. How that will be best accomplished is still left to be determined. However, beginning the process of ensuring those efforts will be successful shouldn’t be delayed.
176th
Albert BRIDGHAM
176th
Victor BURGER
176th
Jack L. CHAMBERS
176th
John COLLINS
176th
Ashley M. DYKHOUSE
176th
Eugene L. ERICKSON
176th
Paul R. FARRELL
176th
Antonio D. FERMANO
176th
James FINCH
At the last reunion I was given the honor of being asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the 449th BG Association. In addition, I was asked to fill the role of coordinating the fund raising efforts required to keep the memory and stories of the 449th BG alive. I gladly accepted the responsibility and challenge of that assignment.
176th
Donald HOGLUND
176th
Albert V. ILIZALITURRI
176th
Walter R. LORD
176th
Eugene L. McGOWAN
176th
Col. Jim MILLER
176th
Jesse PRIEST
717th
Steve P. COULIS
717th
Robert J. EDWARDS
717th
Arthur FALLON
717th
William G. GRAB
717th
Wally R. GREEN
717th
Jack HARTLE
While the Board solicits ideas on what should be done to accomplish that goal, some immediate needs come to mind. Continued efforts on building the groups outstanding website, on creating meaningful documentation on the 449th BG and its service members, creating an archive of material related to the 449th BG and ensuring that the necessary funds are available to continue reunions are just a few of the possible items that will require resources. The leadership is looking for ideas for both projects and for fund raising from its members. Later this year they will introduce an initial plan for both. In the meantime I would urge you to consider what you might do at this time: - Purchase of the “Just a Bad Day” print? - Support the 2016 Reunion through a gift?
717th Squadron
717th
John M. HOWELL
- Add the 449th BG Association in your estate plan?
717th
James V. KNAB
- Encourage others to support the goals of the 449th?
717th
Edward KOLEK
717th
Ray L. McNEIL
717th
Jack NEWMAN
717th
Fernando O’DELL
717th
Howard E. ORGERA
717th
James T. RAMSEY
717th
Philip B. SAMPSON
717th
Albert G. SCHWARTZ
717th
Kenneth YARIAN
In the meantime, please pass on your ideas on ways the 449th BG Association can ensure the necessary resources are available to continue these efforts including others we should approach to me.
Alan R. Davis 370 Braewood Drive Chillicothe, OH 45601 449thlegacy@gmail.com
718th Squadron 718th
Allen CARRICO
www.449th.com
718th
Duffey A. CARTER
718th
Morris COFFEE
718th
Herbert COULTON
449TH BOMB GROUP ASSOC WWII
718th
Thomas F. DUFFY, JR
Website UPDATE!
718th
Frederick A. FREDERICK
718th
Chester A. GOAD
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 20)
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LATEPASS!
449th Bomb Group Association Mary Crowley, Secretary 2nd Generation 16292 Content Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Phone: 714.840.1805 Fax: 714.846.0965 Email: 449thSecretary@gmail.com
WINTER 2014 NEWSLETTER 449th Bomb Group Association 716 - 717 - 718 - 719 Bomb Squadrons LATEPASS! The 449th BGA Newsletter 16292 Content Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92649 Ph: 714.840.1805 • Fax: 714.846.0965 Email: TCrow16@aol.com
Info RE: Mailing List / Removal / Deceased Member Please report any changes, or removal, of your mailing address or information regarding a deceased Veteran to Mary Crowley.
For WWII 449th BG documentation and research, please contact: Mark Coffee / Group Historian 449historian@gmail.com
*No membership dues assessed. Reprinting in whole or in part, without written permission, is prohibited. All rights and contents are reserved by the 449th BGA, A Not for Profit Organization, funded by member donations and contributions. Contributions to the 449th BGA are deductible on IRS1040 Schedule A, if not made for merchandise or services.
(HONOR ROLL CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20)
718th
Charles GRAN
719th
Walter J. DILLON
718th
George W. GRAPES
719th
Paul FULLER
POW
James Benardini FL
718th
Raymond R. GRINOLD
719th
Lawrence J. HEBERLE
POW
Earl Boren GA
718th
Allan D. HEWETT
719th
Herbert F. JOHNSON
POW
Glenferd Funk KS
718th
Reginald F. JOHNSON
719th
Orville R KERN
POW
Charles Isherwood MA
718th
Kenneth W. KEPLAR
719th
Virgil W. KITCHENS
POW
Stephen Kusmirak PA
718th
Morton S. KLAYMAN
719th
Donald LAPHAM
POW
Harry Lamb VA
718th
Ted KOPANSKI
719th
Richard W. LENT
POW
Fred Marsh NC
718th
J. Edward LATTA
719th
Harry MAHONEY
718th
David LIVINGSTON
POW
Floyd Robinson VA
719th
Max W. MINTON
718th
Richard J. MACAK
719th
Warren F. MUGLER
POW
Arthur Schmalback PA
718th
Rodger MEEK
719th
Joseph E. NEIPLING
POW
James Scott SC
718th
Herman NEGREANN
719th
Robert E. RATIGAN
POW
Willard Sherman MA
718th
Edwin A. QUINN
719th
Jerome L. ROSEN
POW
Robert Simonson FL
719th
Joseph L.SCHETTER
POW
Sidney Weiss AZ
719th
H. John SLATER
POW
Earl Westcott MI
POW
John J. Williams NV
POW
Herbert Womble TX
POW
G. Victor Young IL
719th Squadron 719th
Dalton ALLEN
719th
Hal A. STRACK
719th
Emil BAER
719th
Myron J. SULLWOLD
719th
Glen C. BAKER
719th
Sam S. TAYLOR
719th
Richard E. BERZINSKI
719th
Donald D. VAN LIER
719th
Ted Allen BRATZLER
719th
Eugene WELCH
Romanian POW
*Names that appear are known deceased airmen who have passed away since April 2013 and airmen who have not previously been acknowledged. *Bold names indicate: In honor of 449th BG airmen, family members were in attendance at the 2014 Memorial Service.