392nd Bomb Group

Target: Schwandorf - 20 April 1945 - Mission #284

On this, Adolph Hitler's birthday, the 392nd and other 2nd Air Division Groups would continue to dignify it-negatively-by attacking the marshalling yards near the town of Schwandorf, Germany (22 miles north of Regensburg). The weather was perfect for visual bombing as 27 aircrews were briefed at 0430 hours. All bombers commenced take-off at 0720 hours, with 26 going over the target to bomb with excellent results. A total of 236 500-pound GP bombs impacted in the railroad facilities-97 percent of them hitting within a 2000 feet of the MPI. The mission returned, all aircraft landing safely at Wendling around 1520 hours.

As the Third Reich's resistance now had dwindled to virtually little in combating the Allied air armadas coming over every day to tighten the noose of victory a little more, missions now were being labeled more as 'milk runs' (except for those crews who knew the war was still very real when they brought their bombers home with flak damage - it all being a matter of proper perspective). But, the general feeling persisted, though not said perhaps, the war seemed to be all but finished any day now, at least for the bomber men. It was proven to be true on the very next 392nd mission.

CREW LOADING LIST - MISSION #284

20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 505
P Smith, K.A. 1st Lt.
CP Perkins, G.A. 1st Lt.
N Vealey, S.L. F/O
B Dodge, H.F. S/Sgt.
R Merchant, W.D. S/Sgt.
E Seyfried, W.J. S/Sgt.
RW Mackie, R.A. S/Sgt.
LW Jackson, H.B. S/Sgt.
TG Cosentino, C. S/Sgt.
S-27 Hamilton, J.R. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 589
P Harcus, R.W. 1st Lt.
CP Thompson, J.R. 1st Lt.
N Adler, M.N. 1st Lt.
B Brennan, R.W. S/Sgt.
R Shanley, J.V. T/Sgt.
E Thomas, E. T/Sgt.
RW Woerth, J.B. S/Sgt.
LW Marshall, L.C. S/Sgt.
TG Rosenberg, J.E. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 647
P Earl, P.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Smiley, W.R. 2nd Lt.
N Perkins, R.W. 2nd Lt.
B Marchetta, A. S/Sgt.
R Irish, E.W. T/Sgt.
E Woods, R.E. T/Sgt.
RW Keith, D.N. S/Sgt.
LW Schafer, J.G. S/Sgt.
TG Trusten, S. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 571
P Smith, W.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Malmborg, F.L. 2nd Lt.
N Purvis, C.G. 2nd Lt.
B Linderman, W.T. S/Sgt.
R Kroll, M.E. T/Sgt.
E Lyon, H.H. T/Sgt.
RW Devish, M.G. S/Sgt.
LW Werner, W.T. S/Sgt.
TG Farley, R.L. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 545 (no mission credit)
P Raczko, W. 1st Lt.
CP McGill, C.L. 1st Lt.
N Cline, A.P. F/O
B Holland, J.R. S/Sgt.
R VanDeven, J.K. T/Sgt.
E Reynolds, J.R. T/Sgt.
RW Kracker, E.A. S/Sgt.
LW Parker, R.J. S/Sgt.
TG Adkins, J.E. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 916
P Rohrer, L.M. 2nd Lt.
CP Schultze, E.J. 2nd Lt.
N Dupuis, I.C. 2nd Lt.
B Liebman, S.H. Sgt.
R Paul, D.K. Sgt.
E McConnell, C.J. S/Sgt.
RW Parks, W.C. Sgt.
LW Kierulff, H.E. Jr. Sgt.
TG Beans, G.H. Jr. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 576th Sqdn.
A/C 357
P Hummel, J.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Reynolds, J.E. 2nd Lt.
N Chadwick, R.H. 2nd Lt.
B Morse, E.H. S/Sgt.
R Green, J.A. T/Sgt.
E Finney, H.H. S/Sgt.
RW Hoffman, G.A. S/Sgt.
LW Keagle, P.E. Pvt.
TG Powell, H. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 040
P Cohn, A.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Runyon, D.S. 2nd Lt.
N Cottone, P.P. 2nd Lt.
B Norton, W.R. S/Sgt.
R Kincaid, M.M. T/Sgt.
E Cross, G.H. T/Sgt.
RW Korpi, W.B. S/Sgt.
LW Nogales, D.E. Jr. S/Sgt.
TG Avery, W.R. S/Sgt.
RCM Kobil, G.F. Cpl.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 901
P Shaw, B.R. 2nd Lt.
CP Bachman, L.W. 2nd Lt.
N Anstey, M.P. 2nd Lt.
B Hoover, R.C. S/Sgt.
R Sturm, W.A. T/Sgt.
E Kedenburg, J.H. T/Sgt.
RW Rice, W.W. S/Sgt.
LW Perlingiero, C.P. S/Sgt.
TG Schunke, C.W. S/Sgt.
RCM Morriset, H.J. T/Sgt.
Berg, A.G. 1st Lt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 118
P McKellar, C.C. 2nd Lt.
CP Owen, J.L. 2nd Lt.
N James, H.P. 2nd Lt.
B Yeary, B.J. Sgt.
R Davey, J.F. Sgt.
E Cole, E.W. Sgt.
RW Higbee, W.J. Sgt.
LW Hodge, T.H. Sgt.
TG Holler, J.G. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 792
P Mlinarcik, E. 2nd Lt.
CP Parker, R.W. 2nd Lt.
N Caris, R.L. 2nd Lt.
B Caltrider, G.E. Sgt.
R Livingston, F. S/Sgt.
E Butler, J.M. S/Sgt.
RW Howard, C.E. Sgt.
LW Kozma, M. Sgt.
TG Franks, A. Sgt.
RCM Harvie, W.M. T/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 522
P Scott, D.A. 1st Lt.
CP Osojnicki, E.S. 2nd Lt.
N Tucker, R.A. 1st Lt.
B Barger, G.W. 1st Lt.
R Berger, S. T/Sgt.
E Karas, J. T/Sgt.
RW Hanley, E.H. S/Sgt.
LW Glasscock, J.B. S/Sgt.
TG McKee, S.P. S/Sgt.
Faust, L.E. 1st Lt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 753
P Weed, O.F. 2nd Lt.
CP Healy, B.P. 2nd Lt.
N Trask, W.V. 2nd Lt.
B Washabau, C.B. 2nd Lt.
R Yoak, E.B. Sgt.
E Gorman, E.J. Sgt.
RW Higgins, R.S. Sgt.
TT Erfurth, R.L. Sgt.
TG Kolodziejski, J.J. Sgt.
Davis, T.N. Sgt.
Laird, J.L. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 697
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. S/Sgt.
E Baker, R.E. S/Sgt.
RW Talcott, W.J. Sgt.
LW Lamkin, R.B. Sgt.
TG Ryan, W.M. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 577th Sqdn.
A/C 169
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. T/Sgt.
E Turrisi, J.R. T/Sgt.
RW Fuller, M.A. S/Sgt.
LW Dardano, F.A. S/Sgt.
TG Keach, G.T. S/Sgt.
Meister, R.H. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 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 Gorham, E.J. S/Sgt.
TG Ludwig, D.J. S/Sgt.
NG Beals, B.M. S/Sgt.
RCM Williams, L.G. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 493
P Tokarsky, A. 2nd Lt.
CP Moore, M.R. F/O
N King, F.S. 2nd Lt.
B Ross, W. S/Sgt.
R Vivero, D.L. T/Sgt.
E Dowling, R.L. T/Sgt.
RW Granzow, L.J. S/Sgt.
LW Ridge, B.E. S/Sgt.
TG Weissbeck, E.A. S/Sgt.
RCM Foster, W.G. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 240
P Howenstein, J.B. 2nd Lt.
CP Matelski, L.W. 2nd Lt.
N Peters, A.J. 2nd Lt.
B Newell, J.J. Sgt.
R Thompson, J.E. S/Sgt.
E Courey, A.E. S/Sgt.
RW Chauvin, A.J. Sgt.
LW Gibson, G. Sgt.
TG Christopher, D.B. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 477
P Ansbro, M.J. 2nd Lt.
CP Wernsman, J.B. 2nd Lt.
N Christman, H.E. F/O
B O'Farrell, R.H. S/Sgt.
R O'Brien, B.M. S/Sgt.
E Brierley, A.R. S/Sgt.
RW Nichols, P.F. S/Sgt.
LW Janak, E.G. S/Sgt.
TG McLaughlin, M.M. S/Sgt.
RCM Slater, R.E. T/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 568
P Vaden, J.C. 2nd Lt.
CP Tichenor, N.K. 2nd Lt.
N Vrable, E.G. 2nd Lt.
B Smith, C.W. S/Sgt.
R Crockett, J.G. T/Sgt.
E Perry, C.E.O. T/Sgt.
RW Wheelwright, C.D. Sgt.
LW Wojtowicz, C.T. S/Sgt.
TG Beaton, S.O. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 308
P Hotchkiss, V.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Christensen, R.W. 2nd Lt.
N Owen, J.B. 2nd Lt.
NG Daoust, D.R. Sgt.
R Mamukari, P. Sgt.
E Gephard, D.C. S/Sgt.
RW Gemmato, J. Sgt.
LW Stickley, P.W. Sgt.
TG Meyerowitz, I.J. Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 495
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. T/Sgt.
E McDonald, R.C. T/Sgt.
RW Ritty, P.M. S/Sgt.
LW Anderson, W.G. S/Sgt.
TG Taylor, H.T. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 578th Sqdn.
A/C 772
P Case, W.D. 2nd Lt.
CP Griffin, R.E. 2nd Lt.
N Gullick, C.H. 1st Lt.
B McCoy, F.W. S/Sgt.
R Black, C.B. T/Sgt.
E Kidd, J.L. T/Sgt.
RW Chanson, M.C. S/Sgt.
LW Johnson, R.L. S/Sgt.
TG Lutes, M.A. S/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 308
P Miller, R.L. 1st Lt.
CP Peters, M.J. 2nd Lt.
N Munter, L. 1st Lt.
B Hickok, H.E. 1st Lt.
R Tribbett, L.L. S/Sgt.
E Fritz, G.G. S/Sgt.
RW Conn, J.G. S/Sgt.
LW Maher, T.O. S/Sgt.
TG Wolfe, P.J. S/Sgt.
PN Baker, R.W. 1st Lt.
NV Barry, W.T. 1st Lt.
Rotzien, J.R. T/Sgt.
20 Apr 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 577
CA Gilbert, L.G. Lt. Col.
P Clark, D.L. Capt.
CP Creel, H.L. 2nd Lt.
N Delach, J.J. Capt.
B McGarry, T.J. 1st Lt.
R Howeth, G.W. T/Sgt.
E Keba, J. T/Sgt.
RW Kopperud, C.M. S/Sgt.
LW Faust, K.E. S/Sgt.
TG Tharp, R.N. S/Sgt.
NV Conrad, J.B. 1st Lt.
PN Nagler, H.F. F/O
20 Apr 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 385
CA Pennypacker, J.E. Capt.
P Downs, H.E. 2nd Lt.
CP Bickham, T.E. 1st Lt.
N McKay, R.P. 1st Lt.
B Oakes, H.W. 2nd Lt.
R Spicketts, J.G. T/Sgt.
E Lim, D.P. T/Sgt.
RW Crane, T.P. S/Sgt.
LW Szerdi, A.W. S/Sgt.
TG Weatherman, H.W. S/Sgt.
PN Edwards, R.L. 2nd Lt.
NV Van Pelt, W.W. 2nd Lt.
20 Apr 1945 579th Sqdn.
A/C 519
P Teipel, H.N. 1st Lt.
CP Karas, M. 2nd Lt.
N Polansky, M.L. 2nd Lt.
B Flory, D.L. 2nd Lt.
R Goodson, E. T/Sgt.
E Rabine, V.A. T/Sgt.
RW Conrad, D.E. S/Sgt.
LW Hodoian, J.C. S/Sgt.
TG McConnell, H.M. S/Sgt.
MN Adelstein, R.L. 1st Lt.
NN Moss, J.R. 2nd Lt.