392nd Bomb Group

Target: Berlin - 26 February 1945 - Mission #245

The Stettiner marshalling yards in the northeast part of the city were assigned for attack on this day. A Group force of (31) crews was given briefings at 0545 and 0700 hours. At 0910 hours, all launched in good take-off weather. Friendly fighter support throughout the mission was fair to good as no enemy aircraft came up to challenge the Group. Flak was spotty but later intense and accurate during the bomb run and over the target. Weather in the Berlin area was poor causing the formations to bomb by H2X radar. Though the (286) 500# GPs were known to strike in the target area, results could not be accurately observed because of low cloud cover. All aircraft returned safely with (3) receiving battle damage. One crew in ship #145 reported seeing a lone B-24 on the ground at position 5246N-0543E, just east of the Zuider Zee in Holland. It was not a Group bomber as pictures were taken of the ship from 18,000 feet. All Liberators returned safely home, landing around 1720 hours.

Gen William E. Kepner, commander of the 2nd Air Division, sent this teletype to his units with the direction that it be read at the day's air crew briefing:

"Evaluation of yesterday's bombing results on important communications and a/c centers concisely shows that each of 2nd Division's targets was superlatively hit. I consider this to be not only the best day's work this Division has ever done while under my command but also one of the outstanding performances in the history of precision bombing. My congratulations to each and every officer and man in each and every Group and Wing for this magnificent performance which dealt the enemy a devastating blow at one of the crucial periods of the war."

CREW LOADING LIST - MISSION #245

26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 302
P Hummel, J.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Reynolds, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Knudson, B.L. 2nd Lt.
B Chadwick, R.H. 2nd Lt.
R Deaton, J.A. Cpl.
E Keagle, P.E. Cpl.
RW Finney, H.H. Cpl.
LW Milchak, E.A. Cpl.
TG Powell, H. Cpl.
S-27 Kieffer, R.W. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 340
P Peterson, T.W. 1st Lt.
CP Rohe, J.M. 1st Lt.
N Damerst, W.A. 2nd Lt.
B Lawson, R.F. 1st Lt.
R Green, C.M. T/Sgt.
E Bruney, G.L. T/Sgt.
RW Mitchell, D.F. Pvt.
LW Hankins, T.E. S/Sgt.
TG Hoffman, G.A. S/Sgt.
PN Miller, S. 1st Lt.
RCM Appel, N.S. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 409
P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt.
B Creme, A.R. 2nd Lt.
R Irish, E.W. T/Sgt.
E Woods, R.E. T/Sgt.
RW Marchetta, A. S/Sgt.
LW Keith, D.N. Pfc.
TG Schafer, J.G. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 770
P Crowell, R.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Berkley, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Byrnes, W.B. 2nd Lt.
B Colquhoun, R.N. S/Sgt.
R Waggener, L.R. T/Sgt.
E Hough, J.F. M/Sgt.
RW Tracy, R.D. S/Sgt.
LW Anastos, G. S/Sgt.
TG Moffa, A.J. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 299
P Proctor, H.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Russell, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Plagenhoef, S.C. 2nd Lt.
B Wade, T.E. Sgt.
R Kerfoot, D.A. Sgt.
E Lewis, A.J. Sgt.
RW Kouzes, G. Sgt.
LW Gill, J.B. Sgt.
TG Dippel, W.L. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 357
P Ross, J.E. 1st Lt.
CP Crane, F.D. 1st Lt.
N Richner, G.C. F/O
B Hester, T.G. S/Sgt.
R Agnew, T.G. T/Sgt.
E Albright, H.B. T/Sgt.
RW Brooks, V.B. S/Sgt.
LW Blackburn, W.F. S/Sgt.
TG Arnold, E.R. S/Sgt.
RCM Hill, T.J. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 194
P Raczko, W. 2nd Lt.
CP McGill, C.L. 2nd Lt.
N Cline, A.P. F/O
B Holland, J.R. S/Sgt.
R VanDeven, J.K. S/Sgt.
E Reynolds, J.R. S/Sgt.
RW Parker, R.J. S/Sgt.
LW Flesey, R.J. S/Sgt.
TG Adkins, J.E. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 709
P Yasi, R.L. 2nd Lt.
CP Blanton, G.L. 2nd Lt.
N Hamilton, P.L. 2nd Lt.
B Pasco, W.J. S/Sgt.
R Nalette, T.A. S/Sgt.
E Taylor, B.D. T/Sgt.
RW Merchant, W.D. S/Sgt.
LW Hensler, L.P. S/Sgt.
TG Tingle, J.B. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 476 (no mission credit)
P Dugger, F.R. 1st Lt.
CP Perkins, G.A. 2nd Lt.
N Vealey, S.L. F/O
B McInvale, A.L. S/Sgt.
R Chenail, G.E. T/Sgt.
E Jones, J.R. T/Sgt.
RW McAtee, J.R. S/Sgt.
LW Coffman, J.G. S/Sgt.
TG Hamment, R.E. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 238
P Gates, H.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Day, J.G. 2nd Lt.
N Siwy, W.J. 2nd Lt.
B Harrison, W.F. Sgt.
R Frigo, H.M. Sgt.
E Baker, R.E. Sgt.
RW Lamkin, R.B. Sgt.
LW Talcott, W.J. Sgt.
TG Ryan, W.M. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 448
P Weed, O.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Healy, B.P. 2nd Lt.
N Trask, W.V. 2nd Lt.
B Erfurth, R.L. Sgt.
R Yoak, E.B. Sgt.
E Gorman, E.J. Sgt.
RW Higgins, R.S. Sgt.
LW Laird, J.L. Sgt.
TG Kolodziejski, J.J. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 838
P Majesky, A.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Wanner, G.L. 2nd Lt.
N Vought, E.I. F/O
B Zuckert, J.S. 2nd Lt.
R Ivey, M.A. T/Sgt.
E Patton, F.M. T/Sgt.
RW Esenwein, E.R. S/Sgt.
LW Surbaugh, E.R. S/Sgt.
TG Martin, J.F. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 901
P Clower, W.J. 1st Lt.
CP Reel, H.D. 2nd Lt.
N Williams, R.B. 2nd Lt.
B Letourneau, D.R. S/Sgt.
R Stroh, J.E. T/Sgt.
E Tomaszewski, E.A. T/Sgt.
RW Schumacher, A.H. S/Sgt.
LW Galvin, G.M. S/Sgt.
TG Hendrickson, R.H. S/Sgt.
RCM Cauchon, L.V. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 507
P Jordan, E.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Garrett, A.W. 2nd Lt.
N Mercer, E.A. 2nd Lt.
B Lehr, E.L. Sgt.
R Leahy, W.E. Sgt.
E Thompson, R.H. T/Sgt.
RW Cobb, C.E. Sgt.
LW Girulat, R.M. Sgt.
TG Larmee, W.H. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 875
P Pope, L.S. 2nd Lt.
CP Snowhill, T.B. 2nd Lt.
N Rodstein, B. 2nd Lt.
B Lane, T.C. S/Sgt.
R Reed, D.F. S/Sgt.
E Turrisi, J.R. S/Sgt.
RW Fuller, M.A. S/Sgt.
LW Dardano, F.A. S/Sgt.
TG Keach, G.T. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 079
P Popek, E. 2nd Lt.
CP Henry, H.E. 2nd Lt.
N Frederickson, L.T. 2nd Lt.
B Irvine, E.C. S/Sgt.
R Yuhas, G. T/Sgt.
E Bombardier, W.J. T/Sgt.
RW Trofnoff, F. S/Sgt.
LW Thompson, J.R. S/Sgt.
TG Swee, F.A. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 040 (no mission credit)
P Grabarkiewicz, L. F/O
CP Phillips, C.E. 2nd Lt.
N Hickson, D. Jr. 1st Lt.
NG Axvig, W.E. S/Sgt.
R Quagliano, F.A. S/Sgt.
E Duggan, J.J. T/Sgt.
RW Cooper, J.T. Pvt.
LW Baker, E.R. S/Sgt.
TG Moskowicz, S. Sgt.
RCM Harvie, W.M. T/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 118
P Prater, W.K. 2nd Lt.
CP Levin, R.J. 2nd Lt.
N Pilcher, W.L. 2nd Lt.
NG Venuti, L.C. Sgt.
R Killian, C.J. Sgt.
E Lawrence, L.J. Sgt.
RW Kegler, S.D. Sgt.
LW Healey, J. Sgt.
TG Deshantz, D. Sgt.
RCM Slater, R.E. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 250 (Ansbro did not
receive mission credit but
rest of crew did)
P Ansbro, M.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Wernsman, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Lindahl, E.A. 2nd Lt.
B Christman, H.E. F/O
R O'Brien, B.M. Sgt.
E Brierley, A.R. Sgt.
RW O'Farrell, R.H. Sgt.
LW Nichols, P.F. Sgt.
TG McLaughlin, M.M. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 477
P Fox, J.E. 1st Lt.
CP Sampley, T.A. 2nd Lt.
N Johnson, M.S. 1st Lt.
B Robinson, D.T. 1st Lt.
R Tameling, H. T/Sgt.
E Smith, B.F. T/Sgt.
RW Seever, B.H. S/Sgt.
LW Faulstich, A.F. S/Sgt.
TG Robinson, L.D. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 636
P Vickers, R.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Schwarzer, D.E. 2nd Lt.
N Roberts, K.E. 2nd Lt.
B Henthorn, W.N. S/Sgt.
R Costanzo, N.T. S/Sgt.
E Krutys, E.V. T/Sgt.
RW Damuth, T.A. S/Sgt.
LW Nock, W.H.E. Jr. S/Sgt.
TG Leinweber, R.L. Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 511
P Adsit, B.D. 2nd Lt.
CP Weber, M. F/O
N Wedgeworth, Q.R. 2nd Lt.
B Timmons, K.L. S/Sgt.
R Close, H.R. S/Sgt.
E McDonald, R.C. S/Sgt.
RW Ritty, P.M. S/Sgt.
LW Anderson, W.G. S/Sgt.
TG Taylor, H.T. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 446
P Warner, C.W. 2nd Lt.
CP Smith, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Peppard, J.M. F/O
B Kight, D.A. S/Sgt.
R Hathaway, E.O. S/Sgt.
E McGee, O.W. S/Sgt.
RW Brooks, E.J. S/Sgt.
LW Neel, L.E. S/Sgt.
TG Richmond, T.C. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 249
P Bilz, J.J. 1st Lt.
CP Slayter, D.W. 1st Lt.
N Barnes, J.M. 1st Lt.
B Overman, D.T. 1st Lt.
R Fahrenbruch, K.G. T/Sgt.
E Grout, A.G. T/Sgt.
RW Poepping, R.F. S/Sgt.
LW Agoglia, E.J. S/Sgt.
TG Ludwig, D.J. S/Sgt.
NG Beals, B.M. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 205
P Tokarsky, A. 2nd Lt.
CP Moore, M.R. F/O
N King, F.S. F/O
B Ross, W. S/Sgt.
R Vivero, D.L. S/Sgt.
E Dowling, R.L. S/Sgt.
RW Ridge, B.E. S/Sgt.
LW Granzow, L.J. S/Sgt.
TG Weissbeck, E.A. S/Sgt.
S-27 Keehn, M.F. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 804
P Mayer, E.H. 1st Lt.
CP Fligge, S.G. 2nd Lt.
N Burros, R.S. 2nd Lt.
B Crosby, P.E. 2nd Lt.
R Hatfield, H.C. T/Sgt.
E Fickel, S.A. T/Sgt.
RW Gibson, C.P. S/Sgt.
LW Robinson, M.M. S/Sgt.
TG Fulton, C.E. S/Sgt.
RCM Williams, O.L. T/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 495
P Byrne, C.E. 1st Lt.
CP Schmitt, F.J. 1st Lt.
N Bunting, J. S/Sgt.
B Heilman, R.C. S/Sgt.
R Trapp, M.W. T/Sgt.
E Bennett, L.F. T/Sgt.
RW Libby, J.E. S/Sgt.
LW Wagner, F.E. S/Sgt.
TG Alper, M.A. S/Sgt.
26 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 150
CA Martin, M.K. Lt. Col.
P Niederriter, R.A. Capt.
CP Creel, H.L. 1st Lt.
N Richert, G.W. 1st Lt.
B McMahon, C.D. 1st Lt.
R Underwood, J.W. T/Sgt.
E Maertens, H.J. T/Sgt.
RW Greenwood, I.G. S/Sgt.
LW Flowers, W.C. S/Sgt.
TG Spurgeon, E.F. S/Sgt.
PN Correnty, R.D. 1st Lt.
NV Dovey, A.J. 1st Lt.
26 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 145
P Solomon, R.H. Capt.
CP Kressig, E.L. 1st Lt.
N Gridley, C.V. Jr. 1st Lt.
B Mace, J.E. 1st Lt.
R Herzlich, L. T/Sgt.
E Moeller, H.E. T/Sgt.
RW Psyk, E.L. S/Sgt.
LW Farquharson, G. S/Sgt.
TG Capik, J.H. S/Sgt.
PN Cleverdon, R.N. 1st Lt.
NV Edmundson, R.H. 1st Lt.
26 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 899
P Eggleston, J.W. Capt.
CP Peters, M.J. 1st Lt.
N Zamor, R.J. 1st Lt.
B Hickok, H.E. 1st Lt.
R Nika, L.E. T/Sgt.
E Smith, J.W. T/Sgt.
RW Mitchell, R.L. S/Sgt.
LW Murray, J.J. S/Sgt.
TG Mortimer, D.E. S/Sgt.
PN Wilfahrt, D.W. 1st Lt.
NV Adelstein, R.L. 1st Lt.
26 Feb 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 519
CA Hofmann, H.W. Capt.
P Wood, D.R. 1st Lt.
CP Connor, J.A. Jr. 1st Lt.
N Satterthwait, D.R. F/O
B Segraves, W.D. 2nd Lt.
R Fleischmann, R.F. S/Sgt.
E Morgan, K.W. S/Sgt.
RW McCormick, F.L.J. S/Sgt.
LW Stuck, W.F. S/Sgt.
TG Wright, A.P. S/Sgt.
NV Tucker, W.L. 2nd Lt.
PN Reynolds, D.W. 1st Lt.