446th Bombardment Group / 704 Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Harris W. JOACHIM
From Stewardson, Illinois.
Killed in Action 22nd December 1944 as pilot of B-24H / #42-7611 / 'Silver Dollar'.
Took off from Bungay airfield. Target: Osnabrueck, Germany. Lost after being hit on the wing by a bomb dropped from an aircraft flying above. Crashed near 'Fly Bridge', south-west of Menslage, west of Quakenbruck. 8 KIA / 2 POW. MACR 2009.
2Lt Joachim is buried at Margraten Cemetery, L-13-21. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-j/49984-joachim-harris-w
404th Fighter Group / 506th Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Clinton WINTERS Jr
From Hayti, Missouri.
Killed in Action 26th December 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-26465 / 4K-?.
Took off from St. Trond (Sint Truiden) airfield in Belgium on an armed recce sortie in the Houffalize area, Belgium. The flight was intact when the bomb run started but afterwards Lieutenant Winters was missing. Late in the afternoon a phone call was received from XXIX TAC (HQ at Maastricht, the Netherlands) Combat Operations Section that two pilots (Lts Winters and Fenstermacher) had crashed and were recovered near their Advance Command Post.
Lt Winters aircraft crashed at Farm 'de Pleij' , Mechelen-Bissen (between Maastricht and Aachen). He baled out of his aircraft but regrettably his parachute did not open.
1Lt Winters is buried at Margraten Cemetery, G-12-11. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-margraten-w/44530-winters-clinton-j
Above left: the area where Lt Winters crashed: farm De Pleij. Above right: a compilation of two pictures of Lt. Winters (404 FG).
357th Fighter Group / 363rd Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Donovan D. SIVERTS
From Minneapolis, Minnesota
Killed in Action 9th May 1944 as pilot of P-51B / #43-6427 / B6-'X'.
Took off from Leiston on a fighter sweep in the Namur area, Belgium. Disappeared during an encounter with 20 FW-190's. "Last seen in #4 position". Shot down by Unteroffizier Norbert Seidl from Jagd Geschwader 26.
Crashed near the Molenbaan at Zoersel, north-east of Antwerp. MACR 4532.
1Lt Siverts is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, A-38-41. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-s/48076-siverts-donovan-d
Source of the above three photographs: (L) Find a Grave / Hudson Louie. (M) 357 FG Bud Anderson / (R) Newspapers.com / Star Tribune.
56th Fighter Group / 61st Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Andrew B. STAUSS
From Hollywood, California.
Killed in Action 6th March 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-75397 / HV-?
Shot down in a dogfight while on a Ramrod mission to Berlin, Germany.
Crashed at Bartmannsholte village, north-west of Duemmer Lake.
MACR 2787.
2Lt Stauss is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, B-11-15. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-s/47832-stauss-andrew-b
The photograph above left was sourced from Find a Grave via Nigel Julian / Michel Beckers. Newspaper clippings: Newspapers.com.
The below newspaper clipping was sourced from the Billings Gazette, Montana, 10th February 1944.
92nd Bombardment Group / 407th Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Alexander XANTHOS
From Brooklyn, New York.
Killed in Action 30th January 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #42-97441. PY-?
Target Brunswick, Germany. Mid-air collision with #42-30008 which was attempting to regain its position in the formation. Both a/c exploded and disintegrated in mid air. Crashed at Obershagen, 5 miles north of Burgdorf, 26 miles north-west of Brunswick. MACR 2254. Of both aircraft 14 men were killed and 6 became Prisoners of War.
Lt Xanthos is buried in Ardennes Cemetery, B-43-32. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-x/46138-xanthos-alexander
The above photographs were clipped from Pilot Class Book 43-G. Hemet Field, California.
401 Bombardment Group / 614 Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Robert J. Kehoe
From Port Reyes, California
Killed in Action 11th April 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #42-39881 / IW-'F' / 'Gloria J'
Took off from Deenethorpe airfield. Target: Politz, Germany. Hit by flak north-west of Hannover the aircraft went out of control, exploded and crashed south of Isernhagen, 4 miles north-east of Hannover. 8 KIA / 2 POW. MACR 4017.
2Lt Kehoe is buried at Ardennes Cemetery, D-11-5. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-ardennes-k/52632-kehoe-robert-j
364 Fighter Group / 383 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant William J. DOHERTY
From Medford, Massachusetts
1st Lt William J Doherty first served a tour with the 324th Bomber Squadron, 91st Bombardment Group. He flew as a co-pilot in James Tyron's crew, in a bomber nicknamed 'Sunkist Special'.
Many 'tour expired' bomber pilots opted for a second tour as fighter pilot.
After 'Transition Training' on the P-51 'Mustang', Lieutenant Doherty was attached to the 364th Fighter Group / 1st (Weather) Scouting Force.
Weather Scouts checked the weather circumstances in planned bomber attack routes so that 'bad weather areas' could be avoided.
The emblem on the right is the patch of the 1st Scouting Force
Source: American Air Museum in Britain FRE5291
On 10 January 1945 1Lt Doherty was piloting P-51D Mustang #44-13283 "Caroline Ann" when he was killed during a scouting flight in the area of Vielsalm, Belgium. MACR 11876. 1Lt Doherty is buried at Henri Chapelle Cemetery, C-8-50.
The aircraft 1Lt Doherty was flying on 10th January 1945 was the personal aircraft of Colonel Budd Peaslee, the Commanding Officer of the Scouting Force (Experimental). His P-51D Mustang with Serial Number #44-13283 5E-A was named after his daughter "Carolyn Ann".
Source of both photographs: USAAF via American Air Museum in Britain.
440 Troop Carrier Group / 96 Troop Carrier Squadron
1st Lieutenant Alan J. MAEDER
From Chicago, Illinois
Killed in Action on 27th December 1944 as pilot of C-47A / #42-100916 / 6Z-?
Sortie: glider tow in order to resupply the 101st Airborne division fighting at Bastogne, Belgium, during the 'Battle of the Bulge'. After reaching the Initial Point and before reaching the intended Landing Zone an anti-aircraft shell exploded in the cockpit between pilot and co-pilot. the glider was released and the pilot ordered the crew to bail out. Regrettably the pilot and co-pilot did not manage to bail out. Only the Crew chief survived. The C-47 crashed south- west of Nimbermont / Ste. Marie. 3 KIA / 1 RTD. MACR 11325.
1Lt Maeder is buried at Luxembourg Cemetery, D-12-27. Also see https://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/en/american-war-cemetery-luxembourg-m/86279-maeder-alan-j-lux-d-12-27
The above left illustration was sourced from the Austin High School 1934 Class Book.
The above right newspaper clipping was sourced from the Chicago Tribune of 13th June 1943.
405 Fighter Group / 511 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Julian R. MORFORD
From Charlotte, North Carolina
Killed in Action 14th August 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-26327 / K4-?
Took off from Picauville airfield, France, on an armed recce sortie in the Dreux area.
Shot down in a dogfight with FW-190's. Crashed at Voise, 15 miles south-east of Dreux.
MACR 8597.
1Lt Morford is buried at Normandy Cemetery, B-18-17.
405 Fighter Group / 509 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Joseph L. PICHE
From Homestead, Florida
Killed on an Operational Mission on17th July 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-75461 / G9-?
Took off from Picauville airfield, France on an escort mission for dive bombers to the Le Mans area. His aircraft was possibly hit by flak. Due to insufficient airspeed in the landing pattern his aircraft spun in and crashed near A-8 airfield at La Lande / Etienville. KOM.
1Lt Piche is buried at Normandy Cemetery, G-11-31.
The class book photographs above were sourced from Pilot Class Books 43-G, Chico (left) and Sequioa (middle).
The cockpit photograph was sourced from 'Thunder Monsters Over Europe, a History of the 405th FG in WW2' by Reginald G. Nolte.
The above photographs of a memorial to commemorate 1Lt Piche were sourced from www.aerosteles.net
405 Fighter Group / 511 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Thomas J. PICKETT
From Burlington, North Carolina
Missing in Action 14th June 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-76354 / K4-?
Took off from Christchurch airfield, UK, on a bomb and strafing mission in the Cherbourg area.
After bombing in the Valognes area his aircraft developed engine trouble.
Ditched in the sea 10 miles west of Pointe de Barfleur.
He was seen to climb in a dinghy but the Air Sea Rescue services could not locate him. MIA
1Lt Pickett is commemorated on the Normandy Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The above class book photograph was sourced from Pilot Class Book 43-G, Chico, Texas.
The newspaper clipping was sourced from The Daily Times News, 20th July 1944.
404 Fighter Group / 506 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Wilbur F. VINSON
From Montgomery, Alabama
Missing in Action on 26th July 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-26245 / 4K-'I'.
Took off from Chapelle airfield in France on a dive bombing mission to Mutrecy, south-west of Caen. Shot down by flak the aircraft crashed south-west of Caen near the target. MACR 7480.
1Lt Vinson is still MIA as his body was either never recovered or identified.
He is commemorated on the Normandy Cemetery Tablet of the Missing.
The USAAF Class Book Project has now found all three Pilot Class Book photographs from his Primary, Basic and Advanced Training Schools.
The photographs above were sourced from Classes 43-G at Gibbs Field and Pecos Field, Texas.
56 Fighter Group / 63 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Harry F. WARNER Jr
From Buffalo, New York
Killed in Action 7th June 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #43-25286 / UN-'W'.
Took off from Boxted airfield, UK. Sortie: strafing and dive-bomb mission to the railway station at Liancourt-Saint-Pierre, north-west of Paris, France.
During the dive bombing the aircraft was caught in a large explosion which took off the tail section. The aircraft crashed and exploded west of the railway station at Le Prieure / Liancourt-Saint-Pierre. KIA. MACR 8674.
1Lt Warner is buried at Normandy Cemetery, C-8-43.
The above Class Book photograph was sourced from Pilot Class Book 43-G, Hemet Field, California (Primary Training).
The above photographs were sourced from the website of my French friends and fellow researchers of https://www.database-memoire.eu/prive/en-us/
78 Fighter Group / 82 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Calvin F. WEBB
From Harrisburg, Illinois.
Killed In Action 1st April 1944 as pilot of P-47C / #41-6535 / MX-'I'.
Sortie: fighter support mission to Germany.
Last seen on return near Armentieres, northern France.
Lost in Channel area due to flak. Crashed west of Longuenesse, 3 miles south-west of St. Omer, France. MACR 3526
The USAAF Class Book Project has now found all three Pilot Class Book photographs from his Primary, Basic and Advanced Training Schools.
The photographs above were sourced from Classes 43-G at Chico AAF and Sequoia Field, Texas.
100 Bombardment Group / 418 Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Robert J. DIGBY
From Battle Creek, Michigan
Killed in Action 30th December 1943 as co-pilot of B-17 / #42-97491 / LD-'B' / 'Ronnie R'.
Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany. the aircraft sustained severe flak damage in the target area. On the return flight was attacked by a pair of FW-190's south-west of Abbeville, France.
20 mm shells riddled the left wing and nose. One shell struck the co-pilot in the head killing him instantly and severely wounding the pilot. The dead co-pilot was removed from his seat and the navigator and wounded pilot managed to land the aircraft at their home base.
2Lt Digby is buried at Cambridge Cemetery, D-3-9.
The above photograph and newspaper clippings are courtesy of my friends of the 100th BG website www.100thbg.com
96 Bombardment Group / 338 Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Clinton L. EHRET
From Atchison, Kansas
Missing in Action 11th April 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #42-31447 / BX-'D' / 'Cookie'.
Target: Rostock, Germany.
Hit by rockets from German fighters this aircraft crashed into the Baltic Sea.
MACR 3811. 7 MIA / 2 KIA.
2Lt Gilmore is commemorated on the Cambridge Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The photograph of #42-31447 / BX-'D' is courtesy of AAMIB / IWM / Freeman collection FRE 872.
55 Fighter Group / 338 Fighter Squadron
1st Lieutenant Samuel E. HANSARD
From Phillips, Texas
MIA 26th August 1944 as pilot of P-51D / #44-14050 / CL-?
Took off from Wormingford airfield UK on a dive bomb mission in the Nancy area, France.
Due to a thunderstorm the compasses of his flight of three aircraft were disabled. His two comrades landed in Brittany but thinking he was over the English Channel Lt Hansard came down in the Atlantic Ocean north of Bordeaux, having run out of fuel.
1Lt Hansard is commemorated on the Cambridge Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The arrows in above map give the approximate route flown by Lieutenant Hansard.
446 Bombardment Group / 706 Bombardment Squadron
1st Lieutenant Claude C. LANPHERE
From Camden, Arkansas
Killed on an operational mission on 27th April 1944 as co-pilot of B-24H / #41-29543 / RT-'H'. Target: a V-site near Blainville. France. Returning to the English coast with two engines out the pilots attempted to land the B-24 at the RAF emergency airfield Manston in Kent.
However, the aircraft exploded in mid-air and crashed near Cliftonville, east of Margate, Kent, UK. 8 KOM / 2 RTD (these two managed to bale out before the aircraft exploded).
1Lt Lanphere is buried at Cambridge Cemetery, A-2-23.
The above photographs were sourced from Find A Grave. The first two were most probably taken at Primary Training School.
405 Fighter Group / 511 Fighter Squadron
2nd Lieutenant George R. MITCHINER
From Burbank, California.
Missing in Action 24th May 1944 as pilot of P-47D / #42-76248 / K4-'?'
Sortie: dive-bombing mission to the Brest peninsula, France.
Baled out over the Channel 25 miles south of Portland Bill when the engine cut out on the return flight. Despite an Air Sea Rescue search the pilot was lost at sea.
2Lt Mitchiner is commemorated on the Cambridge Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The newspaper clippings were sourced from Find A Grave and Daily Press Newport News Virginia.
388 Bombardment Group / 561 Bombardment Squadron
2nd Lieutenant Edward E. MOERBE
From Thorndale, Texas.
Missing in Action 10th February 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #42-31336 / 'H'.
Target: Brunswick, Germany. The aircraft was last seen near the German-Dutch coast.
Most likely to have crashed in the North Sea. 10 MIA. MACR 2437.
2Lt Moerbe is commemorated on the Cambridge Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
306 Bombardment Group / 369 Bombardment Squadron
1st Lieutenant Frank E. WRIGHT
From Danvers, Massachusetts
Missing in Action on 22nd February 1944 as co-pilot of B-17G / #42-39935.
Target: Bernburg, Germany. Last seen in the vicinity of Bonn, Germany, returning to base. Probably crashed into the North Sea without a trace. 10 MIA. MACR 2651.
2Lt Schmitz is commemorated on the Cambridge Cemetery Tablets of the Missing.
The above group photograph of the 1Lt Rudolph Horst crew was sourced from Find a Grave. 1Lt Wright is kneeling 2nd from left.