LATEPASS! WINTER 2014 ISSUE
449th BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION
THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT BY FLOYD H. TROGDON, PRESIDENT
GREETINGS 449TH VETERANS, SECOND GENERATION MEMBERS AND FAMILIES:
Welcome to the 2014 Issue of LatePass and a Happy Holiday Season to All
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
We continued tracking events regarding the two 449th B-24 Crash Sites in Italy with frequent contacts with the recovery organization in Hawaii, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC). The sites are only a few miles apart in the Grado Lagoon although the crashes were more than a year apart, Kendall’s B-24 on January 30, 1944 and Hanson’s B-24 on February 28, 1945. The Kendall site was officially discovered in 2010 and the Hanson site was confirmed in September 2013 although it had been known to Italian divers for an unknown time before that. The remains of several crewman are believed to be at or near each of the crash sites. When we first started working with JPAC last year, there was no schedule set for recovery of the Kendall Site. Finally, after eight months of discussion, in September 2013, JPAC set the schedule for the Kendall Site to start in February 2014 and finish September 2015. Representatives of JPAC visited both sites in May 2014 and have committed to recovery operations at the Hansen site in September 2015. The Kendall site recovery is complicated in that the B-24 is buried in mud on a small privately-owned Island (Morgo) in the Grado Lagoon. Recovery at the Kendall site is further complicated by the Island Owner who has restricted JPAC’s work time to February through May each year. Accordingly, they cannot commit to a recovery date now. The Hanson site is in 30 feet of water and JPAC believes they can make the recovery there in September 2015. Because of the difficulty at both sites, we believe that work needs to begin well before JPAC has planned. We will continue to press for a higher priority. Funding is probably an issue. Families, keep your cards, letters, and telephone calls going to your congressmen and senators. In August, the 449th Bomb Group Association held its 21st Reunion at Dayton, Ohio. We were pleased with the attendance of 215 at the Reunion Banquet. Joining us for the first time were 57 members from the Romanian POW Group who were also having their reunion at Dayton. (Over 100 449th airmen became Romanian POWs during 1944-45). Our 449th attendees included 22 Veterans (2 were 96 years old), 34 Families that came to honor their fathers, brothers, uncles and grandfathers. There were 8 MIA families of Kendal and Hanson crews and remarkably, four widows of 449th veterans: Jean Aulner who drove from Nebraska, Patricia Latta who has attended all reunions, Delores Rosen who always brings something for the raffle, and Edith Van Lier, who is a spry 93 years young. The Get Acquainted Reception, and Squadron Dinners were well attended and enjoyed by all. We had a visit from Congressman Michael Turner (Ohio) who wanted to meet our veterans and did. This was another event fostered by Al Davis. The main attraction for our selection of Dayton for our 21st for the Reunion was the Air Force Museum at Wright-Pattterson Air Force Base which is considered to be one of the finest Air Museums in the World. It proved to be all of that. Thanks to Jane Leach, Special Events Coordinator, all the arrangements for the 449th visits to the Museum were given her special attention. Special showings for our group were made including the B-24 display (we had radio and television Interviews there), the Presidential Aircraft, and special access to the Museum for the 449th before opening hours. The definite highlight of our visit to the Museum was the catered Banquet “Under the Wings” of a B-52 and surrounded by several other famous aircraft. (Continued on page 2)
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(President’s Report continued from page 1) It was a magnificent setting for the dinner and for the speeches that followed. Our invited dinner speaker was Mr. Johnie Webb, Deputy to the Commander of JPAC, who explained JPAC and updated us on our two B-24 Crash Site Recoveries. (Mr. Webb had a special meeting with the MIA Families earlier and seemed to satisfy all of their questions). We thanked Mr. Webb for his long journey from Hawaii to be with us. At the final event of the evening, Alan Davis, presented Mr. Todd Price, the artist who painted “Just a Bad Day” an oil painting of the Kendall B-24 in the midst of the air battle that Kendall was shot down. Featured in the painting is the small figure of a parachutist (Harvey Gann) leaving the aircraft just before his parachute opened. In the ceremony Mr. Price presented the painting to Harvey Gann and the 449th President (B/ General Trogdon). Subsequently, JPAC has offered and we have agreed to have the painting hang in the new JPAC Headquarters which will be ready for occupancy next spring. We intend to have a special ceremony when the painting is delivered to JPAC probably by Harvey Gann. JPAC has agreed for the painting to remain at their Headquarters until after the Kendall site has been recovered or longer if we wish. If not, they would help get it placed in the Pentagon. To sum it up, we believe this was one of our best reunions and was enjoyed by all who participated. The 449th Bomb Group Association wants to offer special thanks to Alan Davis, 2nd Generation, a resident of Ohio, who arranged many details and contacts for us. For example: the Ross County Board of Commissioners issued a Proclamation, welcoming the 449th to the area; Coach Urban Meyer, the football coach at Ohio State, where Bill Nosker (718th Squadron Commander) was a famous football star, sent greetings to the 449th; arranged for Congressman Michael Turner to make a visit to meet the 449th Veterans; and many other promotional initiatives. Probably the most significant of all was Alan’s arrangements with Todd Price, a well-known Ohio artist, to paint a rendition (“Just a Bad Day”) of Kendall’s B-24 in the middle of the air battle over the Udine Area. This painting was completed and contributed to Harvey and the 449th in a meaningful ceremony at the Reunion Banquet. Thank you Alan, “Mr. Ohio”, for your major contribution to the success of the 21st 449th Reunion. (Continued on page 3
STATUS REPORT BY MR. JOHNIE E. WEBB Deputy Commander for Support & External Relations to the Commander `
Aloha members of the 449th Bomb Group and families. I sincerely thank all of you for allowing me to participate in your reunion this year. It was a genuine pleasure to meet everyone and to have the opportunity to talk with the families of the Kendall and Hanson crews. As many of you know, we are nearing completion of a new state of the art facility in Hawaii and should take occupancy in May 2015. It will be an honor to hang the beautiful painting of Kendall’s aircraft in our new facility. It will be a most fitting tribute to have the painting displayed during the time we are recovering and identifying the crew. During the reunion I promised to provide updates on our plans for conducting the excavation of both sites. In May of this year, we conducted an investigation and survey of both loss locations. On the Hanson crash site, we put divers in the water to look for the remains local divers had reportedly found and covered up with a tarp. Unfortunately, due to equipment limitations and a short amount of time the divers were able to spend on site, they were not able to locate the remains. We understand this site is known to the locals making it necessary to conduct the excavation in a timely manner. Therefore, we have inserted this case into our 2015 schedule, in place of another scheduled case. The mission is now scheduled to take place in AugustSeptember 2015. (Continued on page 3)
449th Bomb Group Association Officers | 2014 - 2015 President: Floyd H. Trogdon, BrigGen/Retired, 719th Vice President: Richard Lapham, 2nd Gen, 719th Secretary: Mary Crowley, 2nd Gen, 717th Treasurer: Richard Lapham, 2nd Gen, 719th 449th BG Historian: Mark Coffee, 2nd Gen, 718th
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449th BG Museum: David Duane Livingston Memorial Museum Dan & Carol Livingston, 2nd Gen, 718th Archives Manager: Denise Riegel, 2nd Gen, 718th Chaplain: Rev. Harry Snyder, 717th Assist. Chaplain: Rev. Denise Trogdon, 2nd Gen, 719th
Executive Assistant: Rod Miller, 2nd Gen, 716th Public Relations: Sandra Latta, 2nd Gen, 718th PX Officers: Lynn and Rick Moran, 2nd Gen, 718th Reunion Chairman: Lloyd Rosen, 2nd Gen, 719th Veterans Correspondence: Deborah Hill, 2nd Generation, 718th
449th Flying Horsemen
(President’s Report continued from page 2) Pursuant to the Memberships’ vote at the 21st Reunion that Charleston, SC should be the city for our next (22nd Reunion), preliminary plans have been completed. The Charleston Plaza Hotel has been chosen as the 449th meeting place. It is conveniently located about three miles from the Airport and has all the amenities needed at reasonable prices. Plans are being made to have our Reunion Banquet on the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier docked in Charleston Harbor. It is a very special venue and is senior friendly for wheel chairs and walkers. We believe that an evening on the Carrier will be just as enjoyable, maybe more so, than the evening we had at the Air Force Museum. Overall, Charleston is one of the most fascinating places to visit and is rated #2 in the world as such. Please make your plans for September 23 through September 26, 2015 at the Charleston Plaza Hotel. More information can be found elsewhere in this Issue.
(Status Report continued from page 2) Finally, on a personal note, I want to bring to your attention that Hal A. Strack, B/ General USAF (Ret), one of the 449th leaders in World War II, died on September 15, 2014 at his home in Nevada. Incidentally, before coming into the Air Corps, as an accomplished musician, Hal played with Stan Kenton and many of the big bands of the era. Hal was active in the 449th Bomb Group Association and attended most of the Reunions until his declining health made his attendance increasingly difficult. Hal was given a full Military Honors Funeral Service on October 1, 2014 at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley, Carson City, Nevada. He will be honored at the 449th 22nd Reunion Memorial Service in Charleston, SC next September. Our deepest sympathy has been expressed to family and friends. With Hal’s passing, we will miss his daily email and his wise comments on the political scene in America.
During the investigation of the Kendall crash site, the team located the primary concentration of the aircraft wreckage, which is in a pond approximately 10 to 15 feet below the surface. We also had the Army Corps of Engineers present during the investigation to get their recommendation on how to best excavate the site. They recommended we build a coffer dam around the wreckage in order to pump out the water, eliminating the need for divers. We have asked the Corps to provide additional information on the permissions and permits required. Additionally, we are concerned about potential contamination of surrounding water ways so we have requested that the Corps also provide an assessment of how to best protect the surrounding water ways. Once we have all of this information we will begin planning for the excavation of the site and establish the timeline. These crews have waited a very long time to be brought home to the hero’s welcome they deserve. I along with the men and women of JPAC are honored to be a part of bringing them home and returning them to their families.
2014 REUNION
SQUADRON PHOTOS 716th Al Ilizaliturri John “Doc” Allen Jr. Donald Peterson Bud Rosch Wayne Kennedy Vernon Petersen Ken Blake
717th Ben Smith Bob Lang Edward West Not Pictured Dick Babcock Clif Denny Ray Logies
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718th Reese Mathieu Jr. Harvey Gann Eugene Ward James C. Cady
719th Bill Hamill Floyd “Trog” Trogdon Walt Bynum Paul Fuller Ed Cromwell
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stood in front of the 449th memorial monument, a shiver shot down my spine when I realized the magnitude of what was taking place. A solemn but beautiful setting with a multitude of monuments scattered among shaded trees, only served to further the emotion of the moment. Before me sat the remaining veterans still able to attend, along with the veterans sat their loving wives, widows, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Then there were thoughts of the men that weren’t there, the ones that never came home, the ones that gave the ultimate sacrifice and all of those that have passed since the end of the war. I glanced up at the white clouds moving across the brilliant blue sky and thought to myself, we have not forgotten, you are all remembered! These men had a profound impact on the outcome of the most significant assault against human freedom in world history. For those brave men that died during the service of their country, they did not die in vain. No matter what happens in the future, each and very one of these special men can know that they left this a better world than they found it. These men and what they accomplished must never be forgotten! And there in- lies our mission, the mission of the 2nd generation; to carry on the memory and legacy of a very special group of men that defended our country at all cost and asked for nothing in return except the opportunity to live in a free country. They didn’t complain, didn’t expect special treatment or expect entitlements; they just went back to work to make this a better country. Many continued to serve their country by staying in the Air Force, while others became involved in many areas of community service, each giving in their own way.
WE REMEMBER 21st Reunion | Dayton, Ohio BY RICHARD LAPHAM, VP 449TH BOMB GROUP
Sometimes something happens in your life, an event so strong that it helps to define your purpose in life. Such an event happened at our last reunion; the 21st reunion of the 449th Bomb Group. My story begins even before I was born. It was late May 1944 and it begins with a excerpt from my dad’s war diary involving a discussion with Don VanLier, navigator on “Patches”…. “You know Van Lier, I’ve been keeping track of the number of crews that we had lost in the past few months. You know that it’s over eighty percent of original group. I stared at the ceiling as I thought of the names: Zimmerman, Hayes, Council, Polink, Garrison, Thieme, Kendall, Frones, Woltkamp, Woodle, MacCormick, Olson, Phillips and the replacements Heinbuck, Anderson, Rustadt. Each name ten men; not four officers and six enlisted men but ten damned good American men. Now either a POW or spread over acres of worthless European soil – and I wonder how long it will be after this mess ends that they will be remembered?” This passage from my dad’s diary raced through my mind as I prepared to recite a poem written by Pat Gentry at our monument memorial service. As I
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Inscribed on the wall of the W/P Air museum is the Airmen’s Creed. I don’t know who wrote it, but it could easily have been created from the accomplishments of the 449th BG. Included in the creed is the promise to leave no man behind, an admirable statement that I am sure all would agree should be followed without exception. As the torch is handed to the second generation the challenges continue. The frustration of working with the Government entities can be maddening. Although the Government has promised the recovery of the remains from the Hanson crash site in FY 2015, there seems to be no end to the reasons for nonaction with the Kendall site. We as the second generation must strengthen our resolve to protect the legacy of the 449th. Let us not forget, we come from a very special gene pool! And let us not forget the 3rd and 4th generations. I feel it is incumbent on us, the second generation, to not only pass on the accomplishments and sacrifices of our fathers to our children and grandchildren, but to also pass on the ideals, beliefs and work ethic which defined them. They were in fact “the greatest generation” In closing, I would like to thank the Wright Patterson Museum for their kind reception and for creating such an incredible tribute to Air Force men and women of all eras. A Museum and Memorial Park that were built for one purpose only, to remember and carry on the legacy of the men and machines of the USAF. And a special thanks to Jane Leach, our contact at W/P for a job very well done. We of the 449th BG owe Jane a great debt of gratitude for her caring attention to detail and making this one of the best reunions that we have ever experienced.
449th Flying Horsemen
22nd Reunion Charleston, South Carolina
THE CHARLESTON ADVENTURE Historical Charleston South Carolina – A Tourist’s Dream! BY RICHARD LAPHAM, VP 449TH BOMB GROUP
I have heard that Charleston, South Carolina, is the top city in the U.S. to visit. I have never visited the top city in the country, and for that matter, I haven’t visited the second, third, fourth and possibly even the 10th! Needless to say, this number one rating peaked my interest, so I decided to investigate. My first move was to study the Charleston Official Visitors Guide, sent to me by Rod Miller (2nd generation) who happens to reside in Charleston, the second best place on earth to live!
Lloyd Rosen and Rod Miller teamed up to investigate the best hotel option for our visit. Once again, they have come up with a winner as far as layout, restaurant, bar, room accommodation, pool and cost. We will be staying at the Charleston Plaza, known for catering to Military reunions and excellent service. Lloyd and Rod are also working together to come up with a list of group tours for our registration. I wish them luck with the list, there are just so many incredible possibilities.
The list seems endless; world class antiques, art galleries, beach resorts, historic homes & churches, museums, horseback riding, sailing, water parks, Patriots Point, King Street and restaurants galore. And then there is Fort Moultrie where the Patriots celebrated a major defeat of the British Navy in 1776 or Fort Sumter, where a chain of events exploded into the start of the Civil War in 1861. My take on Charleston is that it is one giant playground meshed with a whole lot of rich American history. I can readily see why it was voted the number one city in the U.S. to visit. Considering my Irish lineage, I definitely plan to visit Tommy Condon’s Irish Pub & Seafood Restaurant to “lift a pint” & listen to some authentic live Irish music! Hopefully there are a few others that might want to join in.
And then there is the piece de resistance, our Banquet will be held on the USS Yorktown docked at Patriot’s Point. This 872 foot, 27,000 ton flat top was awarded a Presidential Citation and 11 battle stars for action in the Pacific theatre during WWII and 5 battle stars for action in Viet Nam. Talk about history, she was also responsible for the recovery of the Apollo 8 astronauts in the 1960’s. With an original compliment of 3,400 men, I don’t think we need feel crowded for our Banquet. A special tour of the Medal of Honor museum, which is housed on the ship, will be included with the banquet.
WEBSITE UPDATE New and improved... coming soon!
As many of you are aware, Devin Cress has resigned as the webmaster for the 449th BG Association website. Devin felt that because of other philanthropic endeavors, work and new educational opportunities he would not have enough time to continue his work on the 449th website. We all owe Devin a great debt of gratitude for the time and effort he has contributed to the 449th BG. Under his guidance, our website was considered one of the best and most historically complete of any WWII sites.
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I am looking forward to seeing you all again soon. This is going to be a lot of fun!
We have now contracted with a new person that will carry on the history of excellence with our website. First, problems with the Kendal/Hanson petition have been corrected and it is now up and operational. I would encourage everyone that had difficulty signing up previously to make another attempt to sign the petition. Denise Riegel has just forwarded over 60 photos from our last reunion, which will be uploaded to our website very soon. There will be several other changes, including planned links to all other major veterans’ organizations, which will significantly increase exposure of the 449th BG mission and hopefully increase revenue from PX sales. Our mission is to have the 449th BG website to be the most accurate, complete and well respected website of any reference media for the USAAF European Theatre in WWII.
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“JUST A BAD DAY”
Painted by Artist Todd Price | The Story Behind the Painting BY ALAN DAVIS
Over the years I’d heard about my fatherin-law’s service during WWII and the 449th Bomb Group reunions he attended. Then early in 2013 my wife approached me and asked if I would help her parents attend the reunion in Louisville. I agreed, but had no way to anticipate where that would lead. While I had many great experiences at the reunion, one of the highlights was meeting Harvey Gann and hearing his story. I still remember the way he summed it all up by saying “It was just a bad day.” Before leaving the reunion I picked up one of the fliers on Harvey’s book and after the reunion I ordered a copy. A quick flashback to a few years prior to the reunion would be appropriate. Shortly after I began showing my photography at the Gallery 97 in Chillicothe, Ohio, Todd Price, an artist from Cincinnati, was brought in as a featured artist. His show lasted a month so it gave me a chance to get acquainted with him. He specialized in paintings related to the Lewis and Clark Expedition of the Loui-
siana Purchase, to Ohio’s role in the Civil War and to the “Red Tails” role in WWII. His work was quite special. That experience would be important in 2013. As I read Harvey’s book a scene stuck in my mind. It was the scene of Harvey parachuting from his plane with German fighters approaching and the battle unfolding before him. That scene made such an impression on me that I felt it should be captured on canvas. That’s when I remembered back to meeting Todd at Gallery 97. So I sent Todd a copy of Harvey’s book and inquired about the possibility of commissioning a piece based on the raid on Udine. Todd got back to me and offered to do the piece, but he had decided to donate it to the 449th in appreciation for their service. I saw the painting for the first time a week before the reunion. Todd made a few changes after that. The final version was unveiled at the banquet. You can’t imagine the thrill it was to see Harvey and Todd greet each other. And Harvey’s first words to me after he
saw the painting were priceless. “I sure hope I looked as good that day.” While January 30, 1944 was a really bad day for Harvey and the 449th, watching the unveiling of Todd’s painting honoring those who served in the 449th and those who lost their lives during the Raid on the Udine Airdrome was “One great day for me.”
A TRIBUTE TO MAJOR NOSKER BY ALAN DAVIS
The 449th Bomb Group (H) Association paid special tribute to Maj. William Nosker at the 2014 reunion. Maj. Nosker was the original commanding officer of the 718th Squadron from its inception until he was promoted to Assistant Wing Operation Officer of the 376th Bomb Group of the 47th Wing July 11th, 1944. He died taking part as an observer the morning of August 15th, 1944 during Operation Anvil, the invasion of Southern France. In addition to being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Maj. Nosker was awarded the Air Medal and three Oak Leaf clusters and the Bronze Star. He had thirty-five missions to his credit, twenty seven with the 449th. -----------------------------------For some time prior to the 2013 reunion in Louisville, I had heard a variety of stories related to my father-in-law’s service. They included how
he obtained the rank of sergeant, being sent out for Christmas ice cream treats Dec. 1943, meeting Gen. Eisenhower and why he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal. We also heard a more somber story of how he had identified the remains of Maj. Nosker by the fact his 1939 Big Ten Championship ring was still on his finger. But there were few details more than that when he told it. When the 449th voted to hold their next reunion in Dayton I approached the leadership about doing a tribute to Maj. Nosker since he was a native of Ohio. Gen. Trogdon quickly agreed and assigned me the task of coordinating it. I began envisioning a poster honoring both his service in the 449th and his role as a football star at Ohio State. Mary and I began discussing where we might get the needed pictures. It just so happened that both of us approached the Ohio State University archives department about the same time. (Continued on page 9)
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449th Flying Horsemen
The WWII Flying Horsemen 449th BG Association
Save the Date!
Beautiful & Historical
Charleston, South CaroIina Sept 23 - 26, 2015
Banquet | Patriots Point
WWII USS Yorktown Aircraft Carrier & Congressional Medal of Honor Museum Selected Tours of Historical Downtown, Magnolia Gardens, a Plantation Civil War buffs - Ft. Sumter, H.L. Hunley...Where it all began!
CALLING ALL Veterans, Widows, Family, 2nd & 3rd Generation and Friends ALL are encouraged to attend this event!
- EVENT EXCEPTIONALLY HANDICAPPED FRIENDLY Registration forms will be mailed Spring 2015
Contact Charleston Plaza Hotel for Reservations Call 888-747-1900 or 843-747-1900
CALLING Veteran, Widows, Family, 2nd & 3rd Generation MentionALL the 449th BG. On-line www.thecharlestonplazahotel.com, 449th Flying Horsemen ALL are encouraged to attend event! click reservations, select dates and place 449bmbthis in the Group Code box.
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LIMITED EDITION | SIGNED AND NUMBERED
JUST A BAD DAY Mission: Udine, Italy 30 January 1944 Three - 449th Aircraft Lost Six - Enemy Aircraft Destroyed 25 Killed in Action / 6 POW
Beautiful (Limited Edition) High Quality Print Artist ~ Todd Price
AUTOGRAPHED BY HARVEY GANN 718TH BS, KENDALL CREW, FLIGHT ENGINEER, POW
Painting will be loaned to JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) in Hawaii New building dedication, Spring 2015 | Final placement - Pentagon, Washington DC
The first 100 requests with a $200 DONATION
Will receive: Unframed print (approximate size: 25” x 15”) Certificate of authenticity and registered number, 449th BGA letter for tax donation/nonprofit organization, and free shipping IT’S NOT JUST A DONATION! Let all remember that 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. ORDER FORM
JUST A BAD DAY
Name: Address: City: Phone:
Limited Edition
Donation: Date:
Shipping Date Spring 2015
Email: Mail your order and check to: 449th BG Secretary | Mary Crowley 16292 Content Circle, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
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(Tribute continued from page 6)
there I was able to obtain records on the planes he flew on, in many cases that included pictures of the planes and crew. More information was derived from internet searches. A letter from the Ohio State Buckeye football coach, Urban Meyers, was added as a final touch. The poster and book were put on display at the reunion. And the banquet program included a tribute to Maj. Nosker. Prior to the reunion I had written an email to the staff at The Lantern, the OSU student paper. While they weren’t able to attend the reunion, the email made it to Grant Miller, the paper’s copy editor. Grant had lived in Nosker Hall, the student dorm named for Maj. Nosker and had wanted to learn more about him and why he was deserving of the honor of having a dorm named after him. So he contacted me. Fascinated by the chance meeting of the two OSU Alumni, he wanted to interview the individual who had identified Maj. Nosker’s remains. We set a time for my father-in-law to meet with him and spent nearly an hour and a half allowing “Doc” to tell stories about the event and his service. Grant conducted additional research filling in some blanks regarding Maj. Nosker’s life. And he eventually located Maj. Nosker’s wife.
I eventually got hold of Michelle Drobik. She was able to find some pictures I could use, but also sent me links to both the yearbook and student newspaper archives. Once I started exploring them I found a wealth of information on #26, Bill Nosker. It turned out that he was much more than an outstanding football player, but was one of the most respected students at the school. Quickly the poster turned into a book. To get more information on his service in the 449th I turned to Mark Coffee, the 449th’s historian. He was able to send me excerpts from logs, books and a complete list of his missions with the 449th. From
His tribute, a two part series named “Bill Nosker: The Man Behind the Dorm”, appeared in the November 24th and 25th additions of The Lantern and can be found at the following website addresses: Part 1: http://thelantern.com/2014/11/bill-nosker-the-man-behind-the-dorm Part 2: http://thelantern.com/2014/11/a-moment-from-wwii-still-rings-strongly-foralumnus-doc-allen-70-years-later/
MONUMENT MEMORIAL
Monument Memorial Service | National Museum of the US Air Force Present at the service were three sons of the founding fathers of the association. Rod Miller, son of Col Jim Miller, and Richard Lapham son of Don Lapham, who were instrumental in the original project and the construction of the memorial. Jim Banas, son of John A. Banas, who chaired the funding for the project.
Inscription: This memorial is dedicated to all members of the 449th Bomb Group (H) whose combined efforts contributed greatly to the swift allied victory in World War II. Distinguishing themselves by setting records for the number of consecutive daily missions and fighter kills and for bombing accuracy and combat readiness, they valiantly carried the battle to the enemy in the air war over the European, Balkan and Middle East theaters.
This memorial monument was erected at Wright Patterson AFB Museum Memorial Park and dedicated on 3 November, 1989. It was funded by the unselfish donation of many many members of the 449th Bomb Group Association to remember our comrades who died as a result of combat. It is a commemoration of our dedication to freedom and our great nation . . . may it serve to remind all who see it of our priceless heritage.
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Behold this Messenger of polished primeval granite extolling the exploits of a group of men Who rode the wind together in the crimson skies of a world ravaged by War, With purpose and precision to perform heroic acts of cool valor and unqualified trust in each other. Let this messenger proclaim through all Eternity, in mute, but eloquent language, that Once there we Flying Horsemen . . . some ride the wind no more . . . whose deeds etched here Forever, in this timeless stone, will let the Future know the past. BY R. PAT GENTRY, PILOT 449TH BG, 719TH BS
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HISTORIAN’S CORNER The Italian Connection | Freddy Fulan MARK COFFEE, 449TH GROUP HISTORIAN (For documentation and research contact 449historian@gmail.com)
The name Freddy Furlan has been used many times in conjunction with the MIA cases of the Kendall crew of 41-29217 and the Hanson crew of 42-51642. Perhaps a bit of background on the man and his role in these two cases is in order. Alfredo “Freddy” Furlan is a retired archaeologist living in a small village in Northern Italy in the vicinity where the air battle of 30 January 1944 took place. The 449th Bomb Group lost three aircraft in that battle - 42-7730 flown by the Wheeler crew with 10 KIA; 41-29217 flown by the Ben Kendall crew with 2 KIA, 7 MIA and 1 POW (Harvey Gann); and Sinner’s Dream, 41-28605 flown by the Chandler crew with 6 KIA and 5 POW. A total of eight American aircraft were lost as well as several German Bf-109 fighters. Head of Grado Civil Defense and Freddy Furlan on right with right stabilizer of B-24 #42-51642 / Hanson’s aircraft
Furlan became interested in this air battle and began serious research on it in 2005. He was able to find several eye witnesses who pointed out the crash sites of several of the aircraft lost in the battle. Using that information along with records of where crewmen had been recovered, Freddy began piecing together the chronology of the battle. According to the information contained in the Missing Aircrew Reports, the first 449th ship lost exploded over the village of Romans d’Isonzo, the second was Wheeler’s ship from which known crewmen were recovered and was reportedly rammed by a Bf-109, and the third crashed on a small island in the lagoon of Grado. This however, did not correlate with the other information he had found. Freddy found a copy of Harvey Gann’s book “Escape I Must”, and using Harvey’s description of the events of 30 January, was able to correctly identify that Sinner’s Dream had been the ship rammed by the Bf-109, and Harvey’s aircraft must then be the one that crashed onto the island. By February of 2010, Freddy was confident enough in his research to contact the DPMO/JPAC about the possibility of MIAs on the Island of Morgo. We are still awaiting the recovery mission to be staged by JPAC. Freddy has authored a book about the 30 January 1944 air battle titled “Sinner’s Dream.” It is published in Italian and no English version is yet available. Freddy Furlan was also instrumental in identifying the wreck of the Hanson aircraft 42-51642. This wreck lying in the Adriatic Sea off Grado had long been known to local divers and fishermen, but no one knew the identity of the aircraft. Freddy had become interested in this wreck as early as 2009. Early on, 42-51642 was thought to be a possibility, but 42-94741 of the 484th Bomb Group named Vivacious Lady was another possibility. In the Summer of 2013, Freddy presented his research regarding this wreck to the local marine protection group. Inspired by his research the group organized a dive on the wreck to attempt to positively identify it. From this effort, the vertical stabilizer showing the aircraft serial number was discovered buried in the sand a short distance from the fuselage. After 69 years, the fate of the Hanson crew was finally known.
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Isarco/Albes RR Bridge – 28 February 1945 MISSION 215 The Brenner Pass and the rail line and roadway through it is one of the most important transportation routes connecting Northern and Southern Europe. Brenner Pass was the lowest of the mountain passes through the Alps and lay along the Austrian/ Italian boarder in the region of Bolzona. The associated rail line linked Innsbruck, Austria to the North to Verona, Italy and points south. It served as a primary supply route for General Albert Kesselring’s Army Group C forces opposing the Allies in the Italian Campaign. The Pass and the Brenner Line were frequent targets of the tactical air forces of the 12th Air Force with the interdiction of Kesselring’s supplies as a primary mission. Medium bombers and fighter-bombers of the 12th attacked bridges, trains and convoys along the route. The heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force were also called upon to supplement the tactical forces in interdicting this important supply route. The 449th Bomb Group had attacked the Brenner Route as early as 29 March 1944, hitting the marshalling yard at Bolzano, a choke point south of the Pass. Two missions were flown against Brenner Pass in October. Multiple missions were flown in November and December targeting various bridges, marshalling yards and other choke points along the route. The Germans built up defenses around the Pass and the obvious choke points along the route. The 449th hit Brenner Pass on three consecutive days in late December losing a crew on each day. The mission plan for 28 February 1945 called for the entire 15th Air Force to strike bridges and marshalling yards along the Brenner Route. “It is reported German troops are being moved out of Italy over the Brenner Route to reinforce the Russian southern front so a successful attack on today’s targets will delay this withdrawal and cause a piling up of traffic which will present excellent future targets.” The line had been cut from 3 February through 25 February, but repairs had allowed traffic to begin moving again on the route.
(Continued on page 11)
449th Flying Horsemen
(Mission 215 continued from page 10)
page 212). “Wild Honey” was a B-24H s/n 42-52682 that had been trans-
ferred from the 8th AF, 486th BG, 832nd BS. The ship took a flak hit to the wing which left a man-sized hole through it, damaged the left main landing gear and resulted in over 300 holes in the fuselage. Both Blair and co-pilot John Halverson would receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for bringing the badly damaged ship back to Grottaglie and a safe landing. “Wild Honey” was salvaged after its only 449th mission. The 718th Squadron leading “Blue Force” had three ships with major damage. The Hagen crew flying Ship #31 lost the #3 engine and had a hole through the #4 propeller. It crash landed back at Grottaglie, but was repaired and finished out the war. The Lawrence crew had two engines feathered after the target but were able to make it to a safe landing at Zara. The 719th Squadron at the rear of the formation escaped significant damage.
All four groups of the 47th Wing were tasked with the destruction of the railroad bridge over the Isarco River at Albes, south of Brenner Pass. Each group was to provide two formations of aircraft with the formations 12 minutes apart to allow smoke from the preceding attacks to dissipate. The 449th was to lead the Wing with the 450th, 376th and 98th Bomb Groups following. It was estimated that enemy defenses would be encountered about 8 miles prior to reaching the target. Prior missions had classified the defenses as Moderate intensity, Accurate, Heavy caliber flak. Takeoffs began at 0846 to make a 1245 target time. The 716th and 717th Squadrons comprised the 449th’s lead “Red Force”, with the 718th and 719th Squadrons following as “Blue Force”. Each squadron flew 7 aircraft with the exception of the 718th which put up 8 planes. Group Operations Officer Jonathan Knox lead the entire 47th Wing flying with the Hochendel crew. Howard Hanson and crew were on Knox’s wing as deputy lead. On the run from the Initial Point to the target the formation began to encounter flak that was judged as moderate in intensity but highly accurate. The flak bursts bracketed the lead 716th Squadron with such accuracy that all eight ships received damage. Both pilot Hochendel and navigator Zielienski in the lead ship were wounded. The Hocheldel/Knox crew landed at Bari to get aid for the wounded. The deputy lead ship flown by Hanson left the target with two engines out. The Morrison crew lost two engines and also had a wounded bombardier. They would land at Zara in Yugoslavia at a friendly field. Three other aircraft in the squadron received major damage but were able to return to Grottaglie. The 717th Squadron faired only slightly better as two ships received major damage with 5 others slightly damaged. The George Blair crew was flying a ship named “Wild Honey” on its first mission with the 449th (see Book IV,
ARCHIVES BY DENISE RIEGEL
Our archives are growing! We have recorded 77 oral histories from our veterans with 9 added the last two reunions. How proud I feel to have the personal stories from so many of our wonderful members. In addition, we have received two very large boxes of pictures which include many that are not in our archives at this time. It will take a while to sort and scan them, but I am excited at the prospect of adding them to our growing collection. There are many pictures and stories out there that we have not yet re-
449th Flying Horsemen
Overall bomb damage by the Group was good. The lead squadron dropped early due to extensive damage to the lead and deputy lead ships. The 717th Squadron had several bursts plotted on the rail line just north of the bridge. The 718th Squadron in “Blue Force” scored multiple hits in the immediate vicinity of the aiming point with at least one direct hit. The 719th Squadrons bomb falls went into the smoke from the 718th hits. The 450th Bomb Group followed the 449th into the target and was also met by accurate flak and lost one ship to this target. The 98th and 376th followed without loss. All three of these groups also reported good bomb coverage on the target with a few direct hits. As noted above, the Hanson crew in 42-51642 left the target with two engines out. They began to lag behind the formation and were last seen in the vicinity of Lake Weissen Austria. The fate of this crew remained unknown until August 2013 when the remains of 42-51642 were positively identified in the Adriatic Sea near Grado, Italy. The mission against the Isarco rail road bridge was a costly one for the 449th. One ship lost with an eleven man crew, three ships landed at friendly fields with 3 wounded crewmen, twenty-three ships damaged – 10 severely, and one ship salvaged. Seven Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to crewmen for the mission. Pictured in article: The grateful gesture belongs to S/Sgt Harry J McMahon. He is pictured in a gaping hole in the left wing of ship 48, which he was flying as the ball turret gunner when the Liberator ran into a bit of trouble over Isarco/Albes. Wild Honey – 717th aircraft – sustained over 300 wounds (150 of them on the command deck). The electrical system was shot out, the radio equipment demolished; several chutes were ripped and landing gear shattered by the flying flak. Miraculously, the plane held up under an expert landing by the pilot, Lt. George Blair. No one was injured, but the plane had to be salvaged!
ceived. Please take a look at what you have available from your WWII collection or your family history during the time spent in Italy and consider sharing with the 449th Bomb Group. It is our goal to include everyone who served in the 449th in our archives. Items can be either emailed to me at redriegel@yahoo.com or mailed directly to me at 230 North G St., Lompoc CA 93436. Thank you for your consideration. The 22nd reunion in Charleston SC will be coming up before we know it! Deborah Hill will be calling our veterans again to check in and see how things are going. She enjoys getting to know our 1st generation families and sharing their stories. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our wonderful members. Thank you, Deborah, for all of the time and energy you spend on this inspired task.
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A WORD OF
THANKS THEPX A Word of Thanks for John’s Pear Tree BY JEAN AULNER
Jean and John attended every reunion from 1983 until John’s passing in 2013. Both were extremely committed members and were in charge of the PX Store. Though they lived in Omaha Nebraska, each reunion they would drive to the next destination with their car packed to hilt with 449th PX memorabilia for sale. Not wanting to miss another reunion, Jean drove from NE to Dayton. This time she brought along her daughters. “Thanks” to the 449th Bomb Group for the wonderful Cleveland Pear Tree given our family in memory of John whom we love and miss. The pear tree had beautiful blossoms on it this spring. It was planted on the west side of our home and I see it every time I come into the driveway. Thank you very much.
LETTER READ AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FROM JOHN’S SISTER Dear 449ers, Just a note to say “Thank You” to you who are still with us, those that have passed, and the many who never returned. My name is Darlene Marion, the eldest of John E. Aulner, Jr’s three sisters. I was just a freckled faced teenager during World War II, so many years ago, but sometimes it seems not so long ago. My cousin and I wrote many letters to our brother, his buddies and to our cousins who served. In fact our Mother told us if we were going to write so many letters we would have to furnish our own postage. So we did, we mowed lawns, cleaned offices for local businesses, ended up we not only paid for our own postage but our school expenses as well. Hope the letters helped. Just a little part of our war effort. All of you did so much to preserve this country. My only hope is that the generations to come will do all they can to keep it the America you saved for them. God Bless All of You. Love, Darlene
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THE PX and THE RAFFLE Dayton, Ohio 2014
BY LYNN AND RICK MORAN DAUGHTER OF CHARLIE GRAN, BALL TURRET GUNNER, FABIAN CREW 718TH
Greetings from the PX! What a memorable reunion! Rick and I feel honored to have been a part of it. A big thank you to everyone who made a purchase while attending the reunion. Your purchases helped make the PX a great success. When I went “shopping” for different items I was a little nervous hoping all the items would be great sellers. For example, of the one hundred T-shirts I ordered only eighteen were brought home. I am pleased to say this was a great representation for the total sales. There is a funny story relating to the cell I-phone covers. All of General Trogdon’s daughters bought covers for their phones. While they were on one of the tours they asked someone to take pictures of their group and everyone handed the “photographer” their phone. When all the pictures were taken he handed the phones back to the group, all with the 449th cover. Need I say more! Thank you not only for your purchases but for the chuckle to brighten the day. The raffle and the silent auction did extremely well. I want to thank everyone for donating an item, placing a bid or purchasing tickets. In the silent auction was child size bomber jacket hand painted by Betty Wolak (2nd Gen & whose father John, is the only remaining A/C nose artist). A beautiful pitcher and mug set etched with the 449th Pegasus by Alan Davis went for top bids as well. There was also autographed picture of Archie Griffin (donated by the OSU Alumni association) and a bucket filled with OSU memorabilia (donated by the Pike County Republican Party). The items for the “Chinese” auction were donated by Dan and Carol Livingston, Delores Rosen (wife of veteran Jerome Rosen, 719th), and Betty Wolak. Jean and John Aulner 717th (before he had passed away) donated a rare lithograph of Maximum Effort and at the Louisville reunion and it had been signed by several veterans in attendance. Tom and Kris Kern donated a frame that accented the picture beautifully. Ed Williams and Brent Ward made the silent auction very exciting. In the end Ed Williams won the bid for Maximum Effort and Brent Ward proudly carried home the pitcher and mug set. Sandy Ilzaliturri was the winner of the jacket and Barbara Lang won the autographed picture and OSU items. Winners of the Chinese auction were Jim Banas, Eric Rausch, both of Jean Aulner’s daughters Cleo and Floy and Joseph McGraw. Linda Donahue, was the winner of the 50/50 raffle and she so very graciously donated the money back to the association. All the monies that we have raised from the raffles and silent auction were used to offset the extra expenses that the 2nd Generation had incurred during the reunion. Again, thank you, thank you to all who helped make the PX and the raffles such a great success. The PX will be up and running soon on the new website. Rick and I are looking forward to the phone calls and emails that the site will generate.
449th Flying Horsemen
449TH BG PX STORE
449th BG PX Store
Book 1 & 2 Tucson to Grottaglie
Book III Grottaglie, And Home
Book IV Maximum Effort
Books Books 1 & 2 Tucson to Grottaglie Book III Grottaglie and Home Book IV Maximum Effort Of Men and Wings - William Shepherd Planes of the 449th Bomb Group Brother Men Who Fly- Benedict Yedlin
Cost Out of Print Out of Print $35.00 Inquire $10.00 $10.00
Of Men and Wings
Books Escape I Must - Harvey Gann POW No Foxholes in the Sky - George Henry Patches - Richard Lapham Gidi Gidi Boom Boom- Bob Johnson Gunner's Story - Robert Simons *shipping not included/shipped at book rate
Patches Flying Horsemen 716th, 717th, 718th, 719th B-24 Liberator Patches
Inquire Inquire Inquire Inquire Inquire
$9.00 $6.00 $10.00
Totes & Lanyards Totes Lanyards
$3.00 $3.00
Bumper Stickers & License Plates Bumper Stickers License Plates: white, blue, multi colored
$3.00 $15.00
Flying Horsemen 449th
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449TH BG PX STORE
716th BS
717th BS
th th 718 BS 719 BS
Magnets, Coins, Pens Oil Fields of Ploesti Magnet WWII Memorial Coins 449th BG Writing Pens
$5.00 $5.00 2 for $5.00
449th Shield
I-Phone Covers & Squadron Pins Phone Covers - two sizes / 4 & 5 Squadron Pins 1"
$15.00 $6.00
449th BG T-Shirts B-24 T-shirts assorted sizes SM, M, L, XL, XXL,
449th BG Ball Caps Flying Horsemen Ball Cap
Send orders to: 449 BG PX Store Lynn & Rick Moran 14 109 Glenora Dr., Coraopolis, PA 15108 th
$18.00
$15.00
*Cost of shipping varies on items and on the number of items Cost of shipping will be determined at the time of purchase
Make Checks Payable to: 449 BGA Phone: (412) 859-3205 449th Flying Horsemen E-Mail: ricklynn109@verizon.net th
VISIT TO
DAVID DUANE LIVINGSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM Home of the 449th BGA Archives & Memorabilia
Mary Crowley 717th, Teresa Andreika 718th, Susan & Sheldon Schwartz 719th, Denise Riegel 718th, Carol & Dan Livingston 718th, Mrs. Ann Jeffrey (husband Russell Jeffrey, GHOTS Radar Repair), Deborah Hill 718th.
Dan pointing out authentic parts installed in his 8’ B-24 nose section such as the Norden Bombsight, C-1 Stabilizer and B-7 Bombsight mount.
Rare photo of Bombardier school Jun, 1943 showing three students, including Cadet David Duane Livingston with instructor, next to a B-24 mockup.
Work in progress – a full scale mockup for the B-24 Liberator cockpit section. It contains many original parts such as seats and gauges.
Original nose art photos of some of the 449th B-24 planes. “Nurse” Carol Livingston holding book, The Planes of the 449th Bomb Group in WWII, that is still available through the PX.
COLLINGS FOUNDATION B-24 SAVED BY DAN To fly another day! BY DAN LIVINGSTON
The opportunity to come to the aid of a good friend presented itself in an unexpected way just prior to our departing for the Dayton Reunion in August. My wife, Carol, and I were setting aside displays to take for the PX from the World War II museum we own and operate in Campbell, California. We frequently acquire various parts to add to the collection of bombsights, gun sights, uniforms, books and other items of interest. Our friend, Kory Stendall, who has volunteered for years with the Collings Foundation, was making a special trip with them back east in their B-24 Liberator. He is the main coordinator for the Moffett Field, Monterey and San Luis Obispo area flights and logistics for them. On the leg of the trip going into Pennsylvania, a part failure occurred which created a major problem in completing their tour. The Fuel Mixture Lever, which controls the amount of gas and air mixture to allow each engine to function properly was not working. Yes, they could make a new one but that might take weeks. Kory knew I was working on a B-24 cockpit section at my shop and that we make every effort to use original parts. He called to ask if I had one. What are the chances of having a serviceable part for their B-24? We did, so I boxed it up and sent it one day air to the airfield where they were sidelined. We were happy to get a call at the Reunion from Kory who advised it arrived safe and sound. Voila! The Collings maintenance team spent a couple of days installing our part and off they went to continue their tour. Carol and I were very happy and proud that we could help our friend to get that B-24 back on schedule for viewing and rides. After the tour ends, they will make a new part and will be sending ours back in a few months to complete our project. Cockpit of Big Noise From Kentucky - 449thBG -1944
449th Flying Horsemen
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SQUADRON’S CORNER 716th Bomb Squadron
717th Bomb Squadron
(Life long member of the association, attending reunions from 1983 -2011)
Paul R. Farrell, 93, passed away on October 28th, 2014. Paul was active into his 90’s, regularly attending Silver Slippers aerobics. Paul was born an only child in Norwich, Connecticut, March 18th, 1921. He attended the Norwich Free Academy and graduated from Bristol, Connecticut High School in 1938. He received a B.S. degree from Teacher’s College of Connecticut (now Central State University) New Britain, Connecticut, in May 1942, and in June, 1942, enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was commissioned a Second Lt. Navigator in 1944, and flew 50 Combat Missions in B-24 Heavy Bombers as a member of the 176th Sq., 449th Bomb Group, 15th AF in Italy. Following his military service, Paul attended NYU Graduate School and was awarded a MBA in 1947. He was employed in NYC by the CPA firm of Haskins & Sells, leaving in 1949 to be sworn in as a Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation U.S. Department of Justice. During his career with the FBI, he was assigned to the FBI Offices in Birmingham, Ala., Cleveland, Mansfield, and Toledo, Ohio, Monterey, CA, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Las Cruces, Los Alamos, and Albuquerque, NM, and San Diego, CA, where he retired in 1976. He returned to Los Alamos and was employed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Security and Personnel. He retired from the Laboratory in 1988, and then worked as Special Investigator under contract with both the FBI and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of State. He retired in 2001 when his wife Ellen suffered a debilitating stroke and he became her loving caretaker until her death in 2007. He was a member of the Albuquerque Chapter of Ex-Agents of the FBI Association, American Legion Post 90, Life Member of VFW Post 8874, Los Alamos, Central Connecticut State University Alumni Association, Retired Military Officer’s Association, 449th Bomb Group Association (which he helped form), and the 15th Air Force Association. He was a member of the United Church of Los Alamos. Paul held an Extra Class Amateur Radio License AB5DW. He served as an Election Judge in Los Alamos and was also a Volunteer Tax Preparer for AARP.
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Albert Schwartz: Cook, Original Cadre (Jan 1944 – May 45)
The Army Cook Book His original cookbook was donated to the 449th museum by his daughter Barbara Edmonds
30 pounds meat (beef, pork or veal) 5 pounds carrots, quartered lengthwise fresh,without bone and with but little 7 pounds turnips, sliced across grain fat, cut into about 11/2” cubes 7 pounds cabbage, cut in eighths 15 pounds potatoes 5 pounds onions, small whole 2 cans tomatoes (No. 3 cans) or 10 pounds fresh tomatoes 2 ounces chili powder Place the meat, turnips, carrots and tomatoes in a large pan. Simmer until the meat is tender and then add the remaining vegetables. Season with salt and chili powder and simmer until vegetables are done. All ingredients should be thoroughly cooked but not broken into pieces. The liquid should cover all the solids by about an inch. The stew is improved by a bunch of parsley chopped fine and added just before serving; a few sprigs of parsley may be used for garnishing. Serve hot with the vegetables whole, if possible. Any kind of fresh meat and any vegetables may be used in this stew.
449th Flying Horsemen
SQUADRON’S CORNER 718th Bomb Squadron
719th Bomb Squadron
The pictured airmen were part of the original Cadre (arriving in Grottaglie late Dec 1943-early Jan 1944) and were previously assigned to four different crews (Porter, Silver, Stewart, and Wheeler). Due to causalities, aircraft damage and other unforeseen events, crews were commonly combined. Frequently, co-pilots became 1st pilots. These airmen became members a newly formed crew of Lt. Duffy Carter. T/Sgt. Paul Hadley originally was assigned with Stewart whose crew flew Everyone’s Baby. This crew broke after their aircraft was damaged. Paul was a tail gunner and was credited with destroying a German aircraft in the air raid over Bucharest on 9 April 1944. He was also reported to be one of the first crewman in the 449th to complete a tour of 50 missions thus returning to the states June ’44. Everyone’s Baby was an original cadre ship acquired on 25 October ’43 at Bruning, Nebraska and assigned to Stewart’s crew who flew her overseas in Dec ’43. After several combat missions, the plane was severely damaged in a taxiing accident and was deemed irreparable. The aircraft thus became one of the first to be salvaged for combat spare parts! Hadley was also reported to be one of the first crewman in the 449th.
Photo submitted by Alen Hadley, son of Paul Hadley D.A. Carter’s Crew: (L-R) Roy McLean (Nose - Porter), Cornelius Reisdorf (Co-Pilot - Stewart) John Bash (Ball Turret - Stewart), Duffy Carter (Pilot, originally CoPilot with Silver), Eugene Ward (Ft/Eng - Stewart) Clarence Shearer (Waist - Wheeler) Richard Howe (Navigator - Porter), Charles Schroder (Waist, Porter), Paul Hadley (Tail, Stewart)
449th Flying Horsemen
The Ball Turret, by William Hamill, 719th, Nelson Wood Crew, Ball Turret Gunner, 50 missions, April ‘44- August ‘45 No one position was safer than the others. However, in case of emergency, the ball turret gunner had more obstacles to overcome to free himself from his turret. The parachute was normally stored outside the turret. By practicing on the ground, I developed a procedure that would allow me to escape from the turret without reentering the aircraft. I kept my parachute inside the turret fastened to my harness by one link. The ball turret could turn 360 degrees in azimuth and 180 degrees in elevation. You entered the turret by lowering the ball hydraulically below the underside of the plane and unlocking the armor plate door. Then you stepped down on the seat and slid into position. You had a 50 caliber machine gun on each side of your body and a Sperry gun site in front of you. An 18 inch diameter window was located between your feet. From this window, you could look up into the bomb bays to see if all the bombs had been released. This also gave you a fantastic view of the scenery you were passing over. The down side was the temperature was normally 40 below zero, and the wind came in through the ammunition chutes. You could also see the artillery from the ground firing up at you. Other than that, it was a good position. On one mission to Ploesti oil refineries, a piece of flak came into my turret, passed through my flight suit, missing me and bounced off my parachute harness destroying my Sperry site. I have this piece of flak on my desk today.
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THE
CHAPLAIN’S CORNER THE REV. HARRY C. SNYDER, PILOT, 717TH SQ ASSISTANT CHAPLAIN: THE REV. DENISE A TROGDON
From snowy Maine, “Greetings” to my 449th World War II Comrades and 449th 2nd Generation Members. Faye and I regret that we have been unable to get to the last couple of 449th Reunions, as we understand the events have been over the top! In my absence, I know that you have been served well in the Religious Department by The Reverend Denise. We are truly blessed that the 2nd Generation is able to carry on our mission of peace and remembrance. She has prepared the article below which I know you will appreciate. Best wishes to all of you. The Snyders.
STILL RIDING BY EDWIN D. CROMWELL, DAYTON OHIO 719TH SQUADRON, LOFQUIST CREW, BOMBARDIER
As the wind rushes past my helmet, I remember back to the first time I hopped up on my Harley. It was the summer of 1937. I remember my father calling me a crazy dare devil for riding my motor cycle and driving racecars. Although I am lonely on the road these some 77 years later, I still enjoy my summer rides. I don’t go as fast as I used to and the ride gets shorter as the seasons get shorter each year. The winter gets cold and I can’t ride if it is any colder than 60 degrees. I do enjoy going on a day trip from time to time, usually to Richmond or to Springdale and never more than 60 miles in a day. I haven’t lost anyone that I ride with yet. Four years ago a buddy of mine named Al Butterfield, he was a former Army Helicopter pilot. He turned 101 years old and got a new bike for his day trips and decided that he was old enough to get a trike again! In my old age I can’t be responsible for anyone else on my bike so I won’t let Ruth ride with me. Although my trips are getting farther apart, I can’t wait till my trip to South Carolina to see all of you guys. I love these reunions and the one in Charleston in 2015 will be the best yet.
Greetings to you all! It was wonderful sharing time with you at the last reunion and I look forward to our next time together in September. I give thanks for each of you, for your service to our country, and cherish the freedom that was won at great expense. I wish you all blessed holidays in the coming weeks and hope to see you in September! I have included in this article an excerpt from the homily at the last memorial service. Blessings and Peace, The Rev. Denise Trogdon
We gather today to create a sacred time to honor those we love and have lost and those of you who served among us. We give thanks for their service and to the God who stands with all who suffer. In times of distress and danger, believers in many traditions look to God for help and hope. In the midst of all the current world conflict, one could easily believe that God is absent. It is in adversity however, that we come to know what it is to live by faith. In May of 1943 this community of brothers, the 449th, was created and they learned quickly what it meant to live by faith. It must have been terrifying to leave all that was familiar and face the stresses of war. But their bonds of friendship were sealed in a common vision and tested under great duress. God dwelled in the midst of them inspiring bravery and hope to persevere. Despite the troubles they faced, God never let go. God’s love prevailed as they became hope for one another and for a suffering world. Whatever higher power we claim, love binds and strengthens us in a call to care for one another. On Dec. 20, 1943, a young American named Charles Brown was on his first World War II mission. Flying in the German skies, Brown’s B-17 bomber was badly damaged. As Brown and his crew of 9 men tried desperately to escape enemy territory and return to England, a German fighter plane pulled up to their tail. Franz Stigler, a 29-year-old German flying ace in his Messerschmitt fighter, already had scored 22 “victories,” the destruction of enemy planes. Stigler was one kill away from being awarded the Knight’s Cross, (Continued on page 19)
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449th Flying Horsemen
(Chaplain’s Corner continued from page 18)
one of the German Air Force’s highest honors. But all the horrors he had seen earlier in the war led to a personal epiphany that changed his heart that day. When Stigler flew close to Brown’s plane, he saw in the eyes of the wounded bomber crew, young men no different than the ones with whom he served. He knew the Knight’s Cross stood for bravery, but Franz felt a higher call that day.
20th Reunion Pictures & DVDs PLAY THEM ON YOUR TV!
Across the frozen skies Franz gave a friendly nod and escorted the Americans to safety. What happened between them, the American Air Force would later classify as “top secret,” and an act that Franz could never mention or else face a firing squad. Forty years later the two men reunited in a bond of friendship. Their story is recounted in a book entitled, A Higher Call. To honor the sacrifice and courage of those young airmen, we too, must seek a higher call; to love without limits, to persevere with heart and to live by faith. When we trust that nothing can separate us from the love of God, even in the shadow of death, we inspire a world surely in need of hope. To close today, I would like to share this prayer by Thomas Merton. My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will, does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you, and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, although I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.
ORAL HISTORIES OF THE 449TH BOMB SQUADRON VETERANS BY LINDA TROGDON DONAHUE AND ELAINE TROGDON MARTZ
For the past several reunions, we have been honored to record the World War II memories of many of the 449th veterans, with the goal of archiving these oral histories in the Library of Congress. We thought we may have included all who wished to participate, yet, in Dayton, we were fortunate to find several veterans who had not yet recorded their experiences. Five gentlemen worked us into their busy schedules and shared stories of leaving home, training, traveling to Italy, anecdotes of crew members, missions and life in Grottaglia. Several had just seen the B-24 display at the Air Force Museum, with a look inside helping to recall clear memories of cold, noise, tight spaces, and crew-mates. Again, we want to obtain histories from every veteran who would like to participate. If you have not already done so, please consider adding your story to the histories already recorded. When asked why he hadn’t done an oral history at previous reunions, one gentleman said to us, “Well, I wasn’t a hero.” On the contrary…for us and your family members, whether you served in the air or on the ground, each of you is a hero.
449th Flying Horsemen
Sample from the 19th Reunion
#1 Banquet: Colonel David Harris, Commander of the 449th Air Expeditionary Group, stationed in Africa. Col. Harris spoke on his Group’s Heritage (449th Bomb Group) and its current responsibilities at its base of operations at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.
#2 Monument Memorial & Memorial Breakfast: Our deceased fellow airmen were honored at the Memorial Service. #3 Photos: Pictures of the reunion including dinners, tours, families and special events. Print as many pictures as you want from this DVD.
Each item sells for $10 a piece or all three for $25 (includes shipping). In order to keep sending you the LatePass newsletter, this is a fund raising event to help pay for future printing and postage expenses. Please make checks payable to: 449th BG Send order to: Deborah Hill 13262 Chestnut St. | Westminster, CA 92683 E-mail address: forrhills@msn.com Phone number: 714.892.4855
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FINAL TRIP TO BUCHAREST
ROMANIAN POW
INVITATION TO ROMANIAN POW ASSN MEMBERS Greetings to Members of Romanian POW Association I have recently been in communication with B/General Trogdon, President of the 449th Bomb Group Association. He informed me that his organization really enjoyed our Association members at their 21st Reunion Banquet and that they planned to invite our members to attend their entire 22nd Reunion next September (2015) in Charleston SC. They have also given me this space in their Newsletter (Latepass) so that you might hear this from me. Obviously, I think this is a great opportunity for you to “rub shoulders” with the airmen that flew on many of the same missions we did. The 449th intends to send you a copy of this Newsletter, an invitation to attend their next reunion and a Registration Form. The program looks very interesting to me and I intend to attend if at all possible. Let’s preserve the legacy! JUDGE BRASWELL
The Prisoners of War in Romania during WWII were all part of the Army Air Corp and were involved in the bombing of the Ploesti Oil Fields designed to cut off fuel to the German Army. The low level planes flew out of North Africa, and the 15th Air Force flew out of Italy. Many of the planes were shot down, or destroyed by flak, resulting in the men bailing out Bucharest Romania, Fall 2014 Beth Ciullo, and being taken prisoner. The men were daughter of John McCormick 449th BG 719th held in Bucharest, at the “school house”, Pilot, Downed on PUC Bucharest mission 4/4/44 in Born to Lose, Romanian POW “hospital”, and “garrison”. At the time of their release, some of the men had been at the prison camp for up to 13 months, others only a few days. Princess Catherine Caradja visited the camps weekly, bringing food, Red Cross packages, shoes and encouragement to the men being held captive. In later years, when the Communist Government had control of Romania, Princess Catherine was smuggled out of the country in 1952 and came to America in 1955. She decided to find “her boys”, and with minimal help from the US Government, she started traveling the states by Greyhound bus, looking up the men as she went. Princess Catherine located over 500 of them through the years. She stayed in their homes, talked with their families and friends, and preached being aware of your government and what they were doing to maintain your freedom. Princess Catherine was able to return to Romania in 1991, and was buried in the family plot when she passed away in 1993 at the age of 100. The Association of Former Prisoners of War in Romania began holding reunions in the 1970’s. From over 1200 men in the camps in Romania, only a few remain, with even fewer able to travel to meet each year. As such, this will be the last year of the Association of Former Prisoners of War in Romania. The group disbanded this September and the remaining funds were donated to the orphanages of Romania where Princess Catherine spent much of her time taking care of others.
2ND GENERATION Preserving the Legacy
KENT AND BARBARA SULLWOLD, 717TH BS
Reasons for coming to a reunion? For information and ideas on recognizing the WWII service of your Father, Uncle, Grandfather, etc. Along with a B-24 museum presentation at each reunion by Dan and Carol Livingston, there are numerous pictures, memorabilia, notebooks and science-board items prepared by our members and on display in the PX. Kent and Barbara Sullwold, from New York, came to Dayton to attend their first reunion. They were impressed with the numerous personal notebooks prepared by other 2nd generation
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members of their 449th Veteran and want to start one to commemorate his father’s service. Kent also wanted to see if there were any members of his dad’s crew alive (Myron Sullwold, Pilot, 719th Sq.). We sat him down with the old 449th BG directories and within 15 minutes he found 4 members of his father’s crew. What a great start in his research!
Help Support the LatePass Newsletter We hope you have enjoyed the LatePass newsletter over the last number of years. The last several publications has been accomplished through the generosity of Richard Lapham (2nd Generation, son of Don Lapham/ 719th BS) and his publishing company San Dieguito Printers, San Marcos, CA. It was the commitment from the Lapham family that Don’s legacy of dedication to the historical preservation of the 449th BG prevails. The 449th Association has been fortunate to provide at no cost to its membership a yearly newsletter filled with present information and histori-
cal documentation. In order to continue this service, we are hoping to acquire donations to help defray the additional costs incurred in preparation of material and mailing cost of these documents. Send any donation to our Secretary Mary Crowley at the address below. Please, understand you are under no obligation to do so. For the legacy of 449th Bomb Group and the historical research, these materials are priceless information our future generations.
Sincerely, FLOYD H. TROGDON PRESIDENT, 449TH BGA
449th Flying Horsemen
WHITE HOUSE & BATTLE RIBBONS 449th BG Battle Ribbons These Campaign Streamers represent the thirteen Campaign and Battle Stars authorized to the EuropeanAfrican-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for the 449th Bomb Group. Individual members of the Group were authorized to wear stars on their EAME medal for the Campaigns coinciding with their time of service. Air Combat – EAME Ribbon Air Offensive Europe Anzio Central Europe Naples-Foggia Normandy Northern Apennines Northern France Po Valley Rhineland Rome-Arno Southern France American Theatre Ribbon
7 Dec 41 – 11 May 45 4 July 42 – 5 Jun 44 22 Jan 44 – 24 May 44 22 Mar 45 – 11 May 45 18 Aug 43 – 21 Jan 44 6 Jun 44 – 24 Jul 44 10 Sep 44 – 4 Apr 45 25 Jul 44 – 14 Sep 44 5 Apr 45 – 8 May 45 15 Sep 44 – 21 Mar 45 22 Jan 44 – 9 Sep 44 15 Aug 44 – 14 Sep 44 1 Nov 43 – 31 Dec 44
CATAPULTED INTO FLIGHT BY THE “WRIGHT BROTHERS”
21st Reunion, Dayton Ohio Huffman Prairie Flying Field, site where Wilbur and Orville Wright in 1904, built a catapult to launch their first plane. Sept 2014, Wright brothers (A.K.A. Rod Miller, 716th & Gary Smith, 717th) launch a 449th BG B-24 aircraft (A.K.A Peggy Hill, 717th) Reunions . . . not just for Veterans!
449th Flying Horsemen
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449TH BG 21ST REUNION GET ACQUAINTED PARTY
449TH BG MONUMENT MEMORIAL
RIVERBOAT CRUISE
AT THE USAF MUSEUM
HISTORIC LEBANON
BANQUET UNDER THE WINGS US AIR FORCE MUSEUM
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449th Flying Horsemen
HONOR ROLL
Names Read at Memorial Service 716th 716th 716th 716th 716th 716th 716th
— A/C Patches, 719 BG 7 Aug 1944
SILENT SLEEP BY LLOYD KLAR 22ND BG, 341 BOMB GROUP | ADAPTED FOR THE 449TH BG
Her great roaring engines are long silent, Her guns are pitted with rust, Olive drab paint is flaking and faded, Turrets are covered with dust.
Many came home; the war was over, We dissipated like the dew, Then separately we all went our ways Back to the lives we knew.
She sits and waits for her crewmen, Those young men from another day, Seventy years have passed and gone Since they all went away.
But in every airman’s inner thoughts, Quiet moments as day ends, We hear again those engines roar And voices of our friends.
Where have all those young men gone, Those boys she knew so well? They took her there and brought her back, What stories they can tell.
Now we’re aging and almost all grey. Again friends are starting to fall; They’re going now into that long last sleep That comes one day to us all.
Some are buried in foreign lands, War records tell the place. “Killed in Action,” the official words, Or just “KIA” to save space.
So here’s to our fellow comrades, Those still here, or passed away. We’ll remember you as you once were In a distant place and day.
Others went down in a fiery crash, Just where, no one can tell; Over snowy Alps or ancestral lands No markers where they fell.
As we stand here now in silence, We’ll think of you and smile. Get ready for that final briefing We’ll join you after a while.
449th Flying Horsemen
716th Squadron Peter J. BARBER Dolan H. BATTEN Calvin Theodore BEALE John L. BERGER Otis J. BOLTON Gilbert F. BRADLEY William CLEMENS, Sr.
716th
Arnold DEHN*
716th 716th 716th
Robert V. DONTJE Wilmer E. GOAD Rev. John Belvin GREENE
716th
Donald HOGLUND*
716th
Ernest JOHNSON
716th 716th
George R. KENNEY Henry E. KNEBEL
716th 716th 716th
Thomas MCGRAW* Col. Jim MILLER* Lawrence NALLY*
716th
Michael POUCHAK
716th 716th
Earl N. ROTH Frank J. SHOAF, JR
716th 716th
Jesse TUNSTILL Dr. Tom C. VENABLE
716th
Marshall WEAVER
717th
717th Squadron Robert C. ANDERSON*
717th 717th
John AULNER, JR* Bernard L. BALL
717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th 717th
John A. BANAS* Stanley A. BRANAUSKAS William K. CALLAM John P. COLSON* John F. DEVINE Donald DIETZ* Warren J. ENDLY Stanley H. FALKOWSKI Wally GREEN* Gerald HANSEN Orel Malcom HARPER Albert F. HASKELL, Jr Norman T. LAWRENCE Eulalio B. LOBATO Donald J. LOWES* John P. McCARTHY Jack NEWMAN* Albert G SCHWARTZ*
(Continued on page 24)
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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: TCrow16@aol.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 23) 717th 717th 717th 717th
Robert E. WALLER Robert H. WARWICK Roy WATSON William WITHAM*
718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th
Roger P. BERG Charles E. BRANDES Morris COFFEE* Edmund R. DICKMAN Thomas F. DUFFY, JR* Nick GAVALAS* Charles GRAN* Elbert GROOMS* Gerald HARRINGTON* Pershing J. HILL* Stacy JEFFCOAT Absalom H. KELLY Arnold V. LARSON J. Edward LATTA* David LIVINGSTON* Rodger MEEK*
718th Squadron
718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th 718th
Harry D. MESCHES Harold J. MEYERS Frank P. PETRASH Anthony J. ROTONDI Michael L. SCHWARTZKOPF Earl G. SMITH Eugene E. SULLIVAN
719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th
719th Squadron Paqual A. (PAT) BALDONE George CHURCHWELL Wilbur T. DEBNAM Austin C “Ozzie” DICKENS John C. GRAY William T. HOLLAND Victor B. JENSEN Richard W. KENDALL Orville R. KERN* Donald LAPHAM* Russell LINDHORST* Harry MAHONEY* Harry W. MAHONEY
719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th 719th
William MERICO Jacques H. MEYER Frank T. O’NEILL Charles J. PETERS Charles W. PUTNAM Robert H. QUILTY Andrew REIS Jerome L. ROSEN* Ralph RUDE Don R. SEAGREN Thomas A. SILVESTRI Myron J. SULLWOLD* Frank TIETZ Carl VAAGEN Donald D. VAN LIER* Elie WILLIAMS* Norman WOOLSEY, SR
Group & HQ Group/HQ John ANDERSON Group/HQ Arthur HARVEY Group/HQ Cecil E. PETTERSON
*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.
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449th Flying Horsemen