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Seymour D Eichen Crew -
THE ALL AMERICAN GIRL (left to right)
Standing:
Joseph J. Devine, Seymour D. Eichen, the Pilot, Ludvik J.
Swetlik and William L. Bowen
Kneeling: Richard J. O'Neil, Robert H. Tucker, James H. Saur, William F.
Hoffman, Jr.
Charles F. Rathbun, and Forrest J. Branagan.
(100th Photo Archives)
|
| 2nd Lt |
SEYMOUR D. EICHEN |
P |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
| 2nd Lt |
ANDREW J. BURKHART |
CP |
POW |
25-Jul-44 |
ST LO GND SUPPORT |
| 2nd Lt |
JOSEPH J. DEVINE |
NAV |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
| F/O |
LUDVIC J. SVETLIK |
BOM |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
| T/SGT |
RICHARD J. O'NEIL |
ROG |
CPT |
13-Jul-44 |
MUNICH JET ENGINES |
| T/SGT |
ROBERT H. TUCKER |
TTE |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
| S/SGT |
FORREST J. BRANAGAN |
BTG |
CPT |
13-Jul-44 |
MUNICH JET ENGINES |
| S/SGT |
HAROLD W. RUPPERT |
WG |
NOC |
-- |
-- |
| S/SGT |
JAMES H. SAUER |
WG |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
| S/SGT |
CHARLES E. RATHBUN |
TG |
CPT |
Jul-44 |
-- |
351ST SQDN.. CREW JOINED THE 100TH IN MARCH 1944. IT IS KNOWN THAT EICHEN
FLEW 35 SORTIES IN "ALL AMERICAN GIRL."
2nd Lt. Andrew J. Burkhart POW 25 Jul 44 with the
Larry Townsend crew.
S/Sgt William Hoffman flew Right Waist Gunner on this crew
"S/Sgt William Hoffman started his career in a B-26 Marauder Group but
ended up at 3rd Air Division Headquarters upon arrival in England. He was
assigned as the driver for General Nathan Forrest. Bill said this man was
a "soldiers General" because he got along real well with both officers and
enlisted men. Bill said it was a sad day when the General did not return.
He was leading a mission to Keil, flying with the 95th Bomb Group, which
was stationed at Framlingham at the time. Gen Forrest's plane was hit by
enemy fighters and one engine was knocked out forcing the plane to lose
airspeed but his plane seemed to catch up when enemy fighters attacked
again. General Forrest was the 1st General lost in the Air War. He was one
of Gen Eaker's original 7 to come over and start the 8th Air Force. S/Sgt
Hoffman was so mad at the loss of his General that he volunteered for
gunnery school in England (up near the Walsh). Upon completion of
training, Bill was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group as a spare gunner. His
first mission was as tail gunner on a plane piloted by Jack Swartout.
Bill's recollection of that first mission "How did a good ole Texas boy
end up in a place like this"! He could have stayed at 3rd AD HQ but chose
to fight like his General. S/Sgt William Hoffman said that he believes
something happened to the TTE Tucker and one of the WG took his place.
Bill then became the new Waist Gunner on the Crew until they completed
their mission. Bill still had to fly 3 additional missions with other
crews to complete his tour of duty". (as related to mpf in conversation
with William Hoffman, Nov. 2000) |
-end-
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