|
Capt |
Oren E. Petrich |
C |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
2nd Lt |
Bluford B. Mullins |
CP |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
1st Lt |
Edward N. Jones |
NAV |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
| 1st Lt |
Louis B. Grate |
BOM |
NOC |
-- |
-- |
|
T/Sgt |
Edward J. Zerblis |
ROG |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
T/Sgt |
Max P. Brim |
TTE |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
S/Sgt |
Henry H. Rutherford |
BTG |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
S/Sgt |
Joseph D. Bieu |
WG |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
S/Sgt |
Pete S. Villalobes, Jr |
WG |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
|
S/Sgt |
James M. Strong, Jr |
TG |
KIA |
25-Jun-43 |
Bremen |
A complete and exact sequence of events on this mission, the first flown
by the 100th, is most difficult to determine. Of the 30 men comprising crews #1,
2 and 3, only five survived the mission and, of these, Nick Demchak is the
only one who could be located by this writer. (James Brown, 100th
Historian)Demchak and I agree that the 100th on this day never
completed a proper assembly.
At the time of leaving the English coast, the 349th, flying low squadron,
was perhaps a mile to the rear of the lead squadron led by Major Flesher
of the 418th. Both the lead
and high squadrons seemed scattered all over the sky and a true Group
combat formation never existed. The atrocious weather had a part in this
situation, but perhaps a larger role was that of the questionable judgment
of the Group leader. At a point a little north of the East Frisian
islands, Crew #1, leading the first element, disappeared into the
undercast and was not seen again. No doubt it fell victim to enemy
fighters as did crews #2 and 3.
Louie Grate, regular bombardier on this crew, for some reason did not
fly this first mission. His
place was taken by Lt. Stanley Morrison (KIA) who was the regular
bombardier of Crew #29 of the 418th Squadron. No further record of Grate's
service with the 100th has been found...jb |
-end-
|
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