The briefed target for this mission was Hansdorf airfield which aircrews had difficulty in locating with Vorden air field being struck as an alternative. Briefing for (36) aircrews was held between 0600-0730, all taking off starting at 0930. The 579th Squadron was assigned lead with Colonel Rendle, 392nd Commander, riding in the lead ship as Command Pilot and Captain Weiland as lead Bombardier. Because of poor target weather over the briefed primary route, the Group elected to bomb the Target of Opportunity of Vorden, achieving excellent results. A total of 1,050 100# bombs impacted in the target area. From 12-15 single and twin engine enemy aircraft were encountered as well as light but accurate flak. The bombing results at Vorden created massive destruction to the airfield and supporting facffities. Nine (9) aircraft were battle damaged by flak and one aircrew and aircraft were lost. 2nd Lieutenant H. H. Miller of the 576th and pilot of aircraft #435 with his crew were seen on return with #3 engine afire followed by an explosion directly beneath the aircraft. The explosion was believed to have been a bomb still aboard the aircraft. The aircraft went out of control and was seen to regain stabifized flight once again as it followed below the main bomber stream for a period of time. Just as the aircraft began crossing of the English Channel, it was seen to begin a turn and head for the enemy coast again which was the last the crew and aircraft were heard from all listed as MIA. Mission aircraft began base recovery around 1520 hours.
P 2/LT Miller, Herman H. KIA CP 2/LT Walley, Henry P KIA N 2/LT Becker, John L. KIA B 2/LT Luetzow, Wilbur H. KIA R/O S/S Zimmerman, Seymour (NMI) KIA EnG SGT Robinson, James W. KIA BG SGT Gorka, Walter T. KIA WG SGT Baum, William J. KIA WG SGT Swanson, Arthur W. KIA TG SGT Barton, Harold T. KIA
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: The eye-witness accounts from returning 392nd crewmembers (Lts. Swangren, Metz and Gries) stated that the missing crew plane was last seen with #3 engine on fire after which a large explosion was observed beneath the ship. After this explosion the aircraft was observed to be going down, out of control, and headed back towards the Dutch coast. It was subsequently concluded that this aircrew had gone down in the waters off the enemy coast as no information was ever recovered on this situation, either in enemy or friendly force reporting. The eye-witness accounts felt that the large explosion of this plane was due to bombs of the ship, flak fire hits the cause.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: No records exist of any survivor reports from this aircrew.
BURIAL RECORDS: No grave burial records exist in the records for any member. All crewmembers are noted on the WALL OF THE MISSING of two U.S. National overseas Cemeteries, as follows: At the Netherlands (MARGRATEN); Miller, Becker, Zimmerman, Baum, Robinson, Swanson, Gorka and Barton. At CAMBRIDGE, England, the names of Walley and Luetzow are listed. All members were awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
NEXT OF KIN IN WWII: This information is given as follows: Miller (Father, Herman of Niles, Ohio); Wally (Wife, Claudia, Houston, Mississippi); Becker (Wife, Verna G. of Waterloo, Iowa); Luetzow (Mother, Maria Luetzow, Berwyn, Illinios); Zimmerman (Father, Harry, Walden, Massachusetts); Robinson (Wife, Marlo Robinson, Richmond, Virginia); Baum (Mother, Blanche M., Wheeling, West Virginia); Swanson (Mother, Irma Swanson, Rocelle Park, New Jersey); Gorka (Mother, Carla Gorka, Cleveland, Ohio): and Baron (Wife, Dorothy of Sioux City, Iowa).
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 598 |
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P Mathias, W.E. 2nd Lt. CP Jones, L.C. 2nd Lt. N Mateyka, M.R. 2nd Lt. B Kalionzes, H.A. 1st Lt. E Chambless, S.L. T/Sgt. R Slyhoff, K.G. T/Sgt. AE Blackwell, R.B. S/Sgt. AR Smock, J.M. S/Sgt. AG Weverka, J.E. S/Sgt. G Choromanski, J.B. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 976 |
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P Feran, J.E. 2nd Lt. CP Hayes, F.N. 2nd Lt. N Cummings, F.J. 2nd Lt. B Bjork, H.E. F/O E Houser, B.M. S/Sgt. R Dmoch, T.S. S/Sgt. AE Wolfer, A.J. Sgt. AR Roti, D.A. Sgt. AG Prazak, S.J. Sgt. G Boord, W.M. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 102 |
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P Cox, T.J. 2nd Lt. CP Halsworth, R.J. 2nd Lt. N Stankan, P.C. 1st Lt. B Haglund, G.L. 2nd Lt. E Martin, M.C. T/Sgt. R Mitchell, R.J. T/Sgt. AE Meshon, M. S/Sgt. AR Pryce, R.J. S/Sgt. AG Helbing, R.N. S/Sgt. G Sicard, N.L. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 560 |
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P Miller, H.W. 1st Lt. CP Hurd, E.A. Jr. 2nd Lt. N Murray, F.P. 2nd Lt. B Greene, D.R. 2nd Lt. E Megenhardt, J.F. T/Sgt. R Mallamaci, J.T. T/Sgt. AE McCombs, A.D. S/Sgt. AR Lorine, J.R. S/Sgt. AG Wheeler, M. S/Sgt. G Rausch, T.A. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 692 |
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P Rouse, M.S. 2nd Lt. CP Patterson, J.H. 2nd Lt. N Henderson, D.J. 2nd Lt. B Henderson, A.D. 2nd Lt. E Nilson, T.N. T/Sgt. R Gorman, E.P. T/Sgt. AE Beaulieu, J.F. S/Sgt. AR Walters, J.S. S/Sgt. AG Mezo, C.L. S/Sgt. G Erwin, B.F. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 511 |
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P Johns, M.T. 1st Lt. CP Henderson, M.A. 2nd Lt. N Silvasy, F.A. 2nd Lt. B Sriver, E.R. 2nd Lt. E Indahl, J.M. T/Sgt. R Gressler, E.J. T/Sgt. AE Przeniczny, W. S/Sgt. AR Kenyon, C.L. S/Sgt. AG Zerangue, F.A. S/Sgt. G Sanchez, I.V. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 435 |
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P Miller, H.H. 2nd Lt. CP Walley, R.P. 2nd Lt. N Becker, J.L. 2nd Lt. B Luetzow, W.H. 2nd Lt. E Robinson, J.W. S/Sgt. R Zimmerman, S. S/Sgt. AE Swanson, A.W. Sgt. AR Gorka, W.T. Sgt. AG Baum, W.J. Sgt. G Barton, H.T. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 131 |
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P Hestad, E.A. 1st Lt. CP Madden, T.E. F/O N Bassett, E.F. 2nd Lt. B Hurdle, Q.C. 2nd Lt. E Finley, G.E. S/Sgt. R Folda, G. T/Sgt. AE Slagle, C.I. S/Sgt. AR Twitchell, F.O. S/Sgt. AG Troup, D. S/Sgt. G Wilson, L. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 576th Sqdn. A/C 129 |
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P Neff, C.L. 1st Lt. CP Simpson, H.L. 2nd Lt. N Smith, C.W. 2nd Lt. B Hadeka, A.A. 2nd Lt. E Benham, C.E. T/Sgt. R Diaz, C.A. T/Sgt. AE Pennington, E.B. S/Sgt. AR Ware, J.W. S/Sgt. AG Walter, C.D. Sgt. G Hale, J.L. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 344 (aborted no mission credit) |
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P Schlossberg, M.E. 2nd Lt. CP Blake, B.G. 2nd Lt. N Bender, J.M. 2nd Lt. B Ranta, E.J. 2nd Lt. E Cooke, A.R. T/Sgt. R Williams, R.V. T/Sgt. AE Allen, J.E. S/Sgt. AR Overton, D.J. S/Sgt. AG Bailey, R.V. S/Sgt. G Sexton, P.S. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 192 (aborted no mission credit) |
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P Tiefenthal, D.E. 1st Lt. CP Clifford, R.R. 2nd Lt. N Chichetto, A.F. 2nd Lt. B Gordon, A.M. 2nd Lt. E Wright, A. T/Sgt. R DiCroce, J.A. T/Sgt. AE Hull, W.W. S/Sgt. AR Sopchak, J. S/Sgt. AG Schulz, W.G. S/Sgt. G Potasiewicz, J.F. S/Sgt. NG Freeman, J.B. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 192 |
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P White, R.K. 2nd Lt. CP Cheairs, W.T. 2nd Lt. N Bennett, F.M. 2nd Lt. B McBrayer, J.N. 2nd Lt. E Martin, L.J. S/Sgt. R Wenzlaff, R.W. T/Sgt. AE Jackson, C.H. S/Sgt. AR Burns, L.J. S/Sgt. AG Baldwin, C.L. S/Sgt. G Castor, J.R. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 495 |
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CA Rendle, I.A. Col. P Graper, M.H. Capt. CP Jensen, A.H. 1st Lt. N Jones, J.H. Capt. N Beatson, R.J. 1st Lt. B Weiland, H.F. Capt. E McKinley, W.C. T/Sgt. R Lorenzen, W.H. T/Sgt. AE White, F.A. S/Sgt. AR Kolczynski, W.J. S/Sgt. AG Buzick, J.M. S/Sgt. G Cordick, D.H. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 546 |
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P Ambrose, D.N. 2nd Lt. CP Dorrell, W. 2nd Lt. N Lindberg, V.A. 2nd Lt. B Tierney, J.F. 2nd Lt. E Cummings, D.L. T/Sgt. R Sawyer, G.H. S/Sgt. AE Davis, J.A. S/Sgt. AR Hall, E.A. S/Sgt. AG Oasheim, G.W. S/Sgt. G Dunham, H.D. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 658 |
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P Egan, R.L. 1st Lt. CP Basham, F.G. 1st Lt. N Harris, W.B. 1st Lt. B Gray, W.L. 2nd Lt. E Hurley, W.F. T/Sgt. R Pope, F.B. T/Sgt. AE Cagle, W.C. S/Sgt. AR Stogner, O.T. S/Sgt. AG Salisbury, J.F. S/Sgt. G Kennedy, B.S. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 346 |
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P Haffermehl, G.T. 2nd Lt. CP MacMullen, D.H. 2nd Lt. N Parks, K.C. 2nd Lt. B Poppel, S.B. 2nd Lt. E Parker, E.S. S/Sgt. R Beausoleil, L.J. S/Sgt. AE Mitchell, J.W. Sgt. AR Wagner, F.J. S/Sgt. AG Harwick, M. Sgt. G Landry, L. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 505 |
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P Brauer, G.M. 1st Lt. CP Clifford, J.F. 2nd Lt. N McGough, J.G. 2nd Lt. G Rachell, W.W. S/Sgt. E LaRue, E.W. T/Sgt. R Abraham, H.F. T/Sgt. AE Branciforte, N. S/Sgt. AR Whited, J.A. S/Sgt. AG Keller, L.D. S/Sgt. G Bixby, G.C. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 496 |
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CA Schoolmaster, C.F. Maj. P Copp, R.D. 1st Lt. CP Meyers, J.W. 1st Lt. N Gries, R.F. 1st Lt. B Dilly, V.S. 1st Lt. B Rapenport, R. 1st Lt. E Hodge, G.L. T/Sgt. R Bisnett, B.R. T/Sgt. AE Nowicki, M.M. T/Sgt. AR Dinda, B.F. S/Sgt. AG Hohman, H. S/Sgt. G Noone, T.E. Jr. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 174 |
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P McNichol, T.F. 1st Lt. CP Lamer, M. 1st Lt. N Donaldson, C.D. 1st Lt. B Wargo, M.A. 1st Lt. E Trumpy, E. T/Sgt. R O'Kon, M.A. T/Sgt. AE Green, L.A. S/Sgt. AR Hardic, A.M. Sgt. AG Rathburn, E.K. S/Sgt. G Osterheldt, J.J. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 577th Sqdn. A/C 489 |
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P Barnett, J.V. 2nd Lt. CP Doyle, C.C. Jr. 2nd Lt. N Kaplan, J. 2nd Lt. B Argast, R.F.2nd Lt. E Payton, J.B. S/Sgt. R Vesey, E.J. S/Sgt. AE Archibald, D. Sgt. AR Lankford, W.D. Sgt. AG Bucholz, R.D. Sgt. G Nelson, V.A. S/Sgt |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 497 |
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P Raschke, W.C. 1st Lt. CP Holm, H.J. 2nd Lt. N Petrozzella, B.C. 2nd Lt. B Savage, C.C. 2nd Lt. E Wagonseller, R. T/Sgt. R Krek, B.R. T/Sgt. AE Davis, R.W. S/Sgt. AR Svoboda, J.J. S/Sgt. AG Doub, H.G. S/Sgt. G Rankin, J.H. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 100 |
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P Schildknecht, H.E. 1st Lt. CP Otis, J.J. 2nd Lt. N Hersh, A. 2nd Lt. B Wasowicz, M.V. 2nd Lt. E Sadler, R.S. T/Sgt. R Begley, J.F. T/Sgt. AE Reid, H.A. S/Sgt. AR Reed, B.P. S/Sgt. AG Reade, G.J. S/Sgt. G Gegere, G.P. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 187 |
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P Young, M.N. 1st Lt. CP Goodwin, J.J. 2nd Lt. N Dunphy, R.J. 2nd Lt. B Cunningham, R.B. 2nd Lt. E Triplett, W.F. T/Sgt. R Garcia, P.J. T/Sgt. AE Teater, R.S. S/Sgt. AR Porter, C.C. S/Sgt. AG Rickey, J.J. Jr. S/Sgt. G Ross, J.D. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 981 |
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P Peterson, C.L. 1st Lt. CP Vrieling, R.I. F/O N Walsh, F.T. 2nd Lt. B Brown, E.J. 2nd Lt. E Hinshaw, H.M. T/Sgt. R Rosko, E.M. T/Sgt. AE Harrell, O.L. S/Sgt. AR Hancock, L.G. T/Sgt. AG Masters, E.E. S/Sgt. G Byrd, J.C. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 466 |
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P Carnine, G.D. 1st Lt. CP Spears, K.E. 2nd Lt. N Mastron, V. 2nd Lt. B Byers, W.F. 2nd Lt. B Ward, M. 2nd Lt. E Hopson, N.A. T/Sgt. R Barbee, B.B. T/Sgt. AE Ostroski, L.B. S/Sgt. AR Norby, M.W. S/Sgt. AG Knies, G.R. S/Sgt. G Kwasnycia, N. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 465 |
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P Morefield, H.F. 1st Lt. CP Grisell, R. 2nd Lt. N Kaufman, K.S. 2nd Lt. B Kuttner, F.F. 2nd Lt. E Betterley, E.C. S/Sgt. R Gerrard, R.W. S/Sgt. AE Breithaupt, H.A. Sgt. AR Coday, D.S. Sgt. AG Blekkenk, J.H. Sgt. G Adago, D.R. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 624 |
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P Smith, R.E. 1st Lt. CP Schilling, J.E. 2nd Lt. N Metz, L. 2nd Lt. B Hopple, H.G. 2nd Lt. E Wooton, W.J. S/Sgt. R Whitmore, B. S/Sgt. AE Godfrey, L.S. S/Sgt. AR Heaslet, W.W. S/Sgt. AG Bertsch, P.J. S/Sgt. G Norton, W.J. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 578th Sqdn. A/C 478 |
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P Reade, J.J. 1st Lt. CP Smith, R.L. 1st Lt. N Planche, M.M. 1st Lt. B Ziccarelli, J.A. 1st Lt. E Kottke, A.H. T/Sgt. R Schwabel, C.A. T/Sgt. AE Sikoff, H. S/Sgt. AR Bauer, W.E. S/Sgt. AG Wagner, D.R. S/Sgt. G Turner, L.F. S/Sgt. NG Haenzi, W.R. 1st Lt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 261 |
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P Nugent, W.A. 2nd Lt. CP Burciaga, L.R. 2nd Lt. N Davis, W.X. 2nd Lt. B Krause, W.N. 2nd Lt. E O'Brien, J.J. T/Sgt. R Demming, F.H. T/Sgt. AE McGahey, G.L. S/Sgt. AR Lander, W. S/Sgt. AG Pawlyshyn, M.J. S/Sgt. G Sowers, D.R. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C ? |
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P Baumgart, V.A. 1st Lt. CP Cordes, W.C. 1st Lt. N Swangren, R. 1st Lt. B Stupski, S.J. 1st Lt. E Smith, D.L. T/Sgt. R Kiss, J. T/Sgt. AE Davis, H. T/Sgt. AR Yost, J.W. S/Sgt. AG Money, J.A. S/Sgt. G Fons, J.P. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 473 |
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P Shea, P.F. 2nd Lt. CP Hay, S.N. 2nd Lt. N Lowder, L.L. 2nd Lt. B Heilman, J.A. 2nd Lt. E Darling, L. T/Sgt. R Mahoney, J.E. T/Sgt. AE Hixon, R.D. T/Sgt. AR Dudley, W.R. S/Sgt. AG Wisley, R.L. S/Sgt. G Adams, B. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 990 |
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P Sharpe, W.G. 2nd Lt. CP Bandura, N.A. 2nd Lt. N McGuire, W.C. 2nd Lt. B Lory, R.C. 2nd Lt. E Huffman, R.R. T/Sgt. R Wallace, F.C. S/Sgt. AE Anderson, C.A. S/Sgt. AR Cugini, M.W. S/Sgt. AG McGowan, W.J. S/Sgt. G Maylander, N. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 127 |
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P Detrick, J.W. 1st Lt. CP Schneider, J.E. 2nd Lt. N Connolly, J.D. 1st Lt. B Hall, H.P. 1st Lt. E Owen, E.D. T/Sgt. R Sibert, V.L. T/Sgt. AE Ross, J.R. S/Sgt. AR Andrews, W.E. T/Sgt. AG Dill, W.F. S/Sgt. G Bacon, G.W. S/Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 599 |
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P Everhart, W.C. 1t Lt. CP Sassaman, F.J. 2nd Lt. N Kornman, H.C. 2nd Lt. B White, E.J. 1st Lt. E Northcutt, C.C. T/Sgt. R Beard, J.W. S/Sgt. AE Rinke, A.P. S/Sgt. AR Beseda, J.F. S/Sgt. AG Fowler, R.G. S/Sgt. G Veit, F.L. S/Sgt. Chatten, J.F. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 160 |
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P Hammond, G.L. 1st Lt. CP Hatter, W.H. 2nd Lt. N Sullivan, J.J. 2nd Lt. B Kennedy, T. 1st Lt. E Pearson, W.M. T/Sgt. R Sullivan, W. Jr. T/Sgt. AE Hargrave, R.O. S/Sgt. AR White, C.B. S/Sgt. AG Goldberg, M.R. S/Sgt. G Gaudreau, H.P. S/Sgt. Willig, N.K. Sgt. |
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21 Feb 1944 579th Sqdn. A/C 469 (aborted no mission credit) |
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P Dickson, J.W. 1st Lt. CP Taylor, R.E. 2nd Lt. N McDade, J.J. 1st Lt. B Bowen, H.A. 2nd Lt. E York, R.M. T/Sgt. R Zimpelman, J.G. S/Sgt. AE Kjelshus, E.H. S/Sgt. AR Erickson, C.W. S/Sgt. AG Reilly, B.A. S/Sgt. G O'Neill, F.L. S/Sgt. |
