COMMENTS & NOTES
MEMO 1:
CREW
1st Lt John D.Brady P POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER
2nd Lt John L.Hoerr CP POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER
2nd Lt Harry H. Crosby NAV CPT 31/3/45 BAD BERKA (SEE MISSION LIST BELOW)
2nd Lt Howard B.Hamilton BOM POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER
Pvt Adolph Blum TTE POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER
S/Sgt Saul Levitt ROG Transferred to "YANK" magazine staff.
Pvt Roland D.Gangwer BTG POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER
S/Sgt Harold E.Clanton WG KIA 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER MACR #1029,
S/St James A.McCusker WG POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER Micro-fiche #341
S/Sgt George J.Petrohelos TG POW 10/10/43 TARGET WAS MUNSTER A/C #230830"MLLE. ZIG ZIG"
418th Sqdn. This an "ORIGINAL crew. #32
On 10/10/43,Lt David Soloman from the crew of E.A.Kiessling was flying in place of Harry Crosby and became a POW. Saul Levitt had been injured in a Jeep/truck accident on base and, when he recovered,was transferred to "YANK" magazine. After the war,Saul had a brilliant career as a writer until his death in 1977 from a fatal heart attack. On 10/10/43,T/Sgt Joseph E. Hafer,who had flown overseas with the 100th was aboard. Also aboard the A/C on 10/10/43 was Major John Egan who became a POW. He was the 418th Squadron Commander and was flying as Command pilot. On this mision.
Both Hamilton & Gangwer were wounded and spent many weeks in the hospital.
List of Missions of Lt John Brady Crew & Paddlefoot's Proxy"
1. June 26, 1943 LeMans 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
2. June 28, 1943 St Nazaire (Flak City) 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
3. July 17, 1943 Hamburg 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
4. July 24, 1943 Trondheim 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
5. July 25, 1943 Kiel 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
6. July 26, 1943 Hanover 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
7. July 28, 1943 Oschersleben 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
8. July 29, 1943 Warnemunde 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
9. July 30, 1943 Kassel 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
10. Aug 15, 1943 Merville & Lille 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
11. Aug 17, 1943 Regensburg 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
12. Aug 24, 1943 Bordeaux-Merignac 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
13 Sept 3, 1943 Paris 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Lt John D. Brady
Sept 6, 1943 Stuttgart 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V Capt. Bucky Elton (test flight, crash landed)
14. Sept 15, 1943 Paris 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
15. Sept 16, 1943 Bordeaux 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
16. Sept 23, 1943 Vannes 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
17. Sept 26, 1943 Paris 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
18. Sept 27, 1943 Emden 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
19. Oct. 4, 1943 Hanau 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U
20. Oct 10, 1943 Munster 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U (SHOT DOWN)
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SECOND CREW
1st Lt Everett E.Blakely P CPT
2nd Lt Charles A.Via,Jr. CP SWA 8/10/43 Bremen
1st Lt Joseph H." Bubbles" Payne NAV KIA 28/4/44 Sottevast (With crew of W,G.Lakin - mission lead by Col. R.H. Kelly)
2nd Lt James R.Douglas BOM CPT
T/Sgt Howard J.Brock TTE POW 17/8/43 (With the W.R.Flesh crew) Regensburg
T/Sgt Monroe B.Thornton WG CPT
T/Sgt Edmund G.Forkner ROG CPT
S/Sgt John L.Olson BTG Transferred
S/Sgt Lyle E.Nordstrom WG KIA 29/5/44 (with crew of B.L.Williams) Leipzig, Aircraft repair depot..
S/Sgt Lester W.Saunders TG KIA 8/10/43 Bremen
418th Sqdn. An ''Original" crew. CREW #35 A/C #42-30061 "JUST-A-SNAPPIN"
NOTE: JOHN OLSON, AFTER FLYING SEVERAL MISSIONS WITH THIS CREW MAY HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER GROUP.
LT PAYNE WAS REPLACED ON THE CREW BY HARRY CROSBY FROM THE CREW OF LT JOHN BRADY. SGT OLSON WAS REPLACED ON THE CREW BY SGT WILLIAM MC CLELLAND/ T/SGT THORNTON BECAME THE ENGINEER AFTER AUGUST 17, 1943 AND HIS POSTION AT WG WAS FILLED BY SGT ED YEVICH.
JUST-A-SNAPPIN IS ONE OF THE BETTER KNOWN PLANES IN 100TH LORE, SHE IS REMEMBERED FOR BRINGING THIS CREW BACK FROM BREMEM ON 8 OCT 43. BADLY DAMAGED EV BLAKELY AND JOHN KIDD, GROUP OPS OFFICER WHO LED THE MISSION FROM THE CO-PILOT'S SEAT, LANDED "JUST-A-SNAPPIN" IN A FIELD AT LUDHAM. DAMAGE TO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM RENDERED THE BRAKES IN-OPERATIVE AND "JUST-A-SNAPPIN" COLLIDED WITH A LARGE TREE. IMPACT WAS BETWEEN THE #1 AND #2 ENGINE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PROMINENT PHOTOGRAPHS OF HER AND THE TREE.
Much has been written about this crew. See p.49 of THE BLOODY HUNDREDTH by H.Varian and p.184/195 of FLYING PORTRESS by E.Jablomski for details of the mission of 8/10/43.
On 8/10/43, S/Sgt Edward S.Yevich LWG & S/Sgt William F.McClelland, BTG were aboard in the place of H.J.Brock & J.L.Olson. Both of these men were wounded.
See photo of this crew on p.228 of "CONTRAILS"
Lyle Nord was flying as TG on the crew of B.L.Williams on 29/5/44 and was hit in the back by a 20mm. He had flown a total of 27 missions,the last 8 of them with the Williams crew.
CREW ON OCTOBER 8, 1943 MISSION TO BREMEN: Last mission with Capt. Ev Blakely Crew.
MAJ. JOHN B. KIDD COM PILOT CPT
1st Lt Everett E.Blakely P CPT
2nd Lt Charles A.Via,Jr. CP SWA 8/10/43 BREMEN
1st Lt Harry Crosby NAV CPT GROUP NAVIGATOR
2nd Lt James R.Douglas BOM CPT GROUP BOMBARDIER
T/Sgt Monroe B.Thornton TTE CPT
T/Sgt Edmund G.Forkner ROG CPT
S/Sgt William F. McClelland BTG WIA 8/10/43 BREMEN SN#17164959
S/Sgt Edward S. Yevich WG WIA 8/10/43 BREMEN
S/Sgt Lyle E.Nordstrom WG KIA 29/5/44 LEIPZIG (with crew of B.L.Williams), Aircraft repair depot..
S/Sgt Lester W.Saunders TG KIA 8/10/43 BREMEN
MISSIONS OF MAJ. HARRY CROSBY:
1. JUN. 28, 1943 ST. NAZAIRE "FLAK CITY" (with Lt Brady Crew)
2. JUL. 4, 1943 La PALLICE (with Lt Brady Crew)
3. JUL. 24, 1943 TRONDHEIM (Col Harding Command P with Ev Blakely Crew)
4. JUL. 25, 1943 WARNEMUNDE, KIEL (Maj Egan-Command Pilot with Ev Blakely Crew)
5. AUG. 12, 1943 WESSELING / BONN (ST) (Group Lead with Col Harding-Command Pilot with Ev Blakely Crew
6. AUG. 17, 1943 REGENSBURG (Group Lead with Maj Jack Kidd-Command Pilot with Ev Blakely Crew)
7. AUG. 24, 1943 BORDEAUX-MERIGNAC (Maj Jack Kidd with Ev Blakely Crew, on return from Africa)
8. AUG. 31, 1943 MEULAN LES MERUEAUX (Wing Lead with Ev Blakely Crew)
9. SEPT. 6, 1943 STUTTGART/CONCHES (with Ev Blakely Crew)
10. SEPT. 9, 1943 BEAUVAIS-TILLE (with Ev Blakely Crew)
11. SEPT. 15, 1943 PARIS (with Ev Blakely Crew)
12. SEPT. 16, 1943 La PALLICE (Wing Lead with Col Harding as Command Pilot-Ev Blakely Crew)
13. SEPT. 23, 1943 VANNES (Maj Flesher, Group Air Exec flew as Command Pilot with Ev Blakely Crew)
14. SEPT. 27, 1943 EMDEN (with Ev Blakely Crew)
15. OCT. 2, 1943 EMDEN (with Ev Blakely Crew)
16. OCT. 8, 1943 BREMEN (Group Lead Maj. Jack Kidd-Command Pilot, this is the last mission with Capt. Ev Blakely Crew.)
17. NOV. 13, 1943 BREMEN (Col, Harding, Command Pilot-PFF crew from Alconbury)
18. DEC. 13, 1943 KIEL (Wing Lead with Maj. Jack Kidd, Command Pilot-Lt Frank Valesh PFF Crew)
19. DEC. 24, 1943 ST.JOSEPH au BOIS (NOBALL) (3rd Air Division Lead, Col Harding Command Pilot-Lt Frank Valesh PFF Crew)
20. JAN. 4, 1944 KIEL
21, FEB 3, 1944 WILHELMSHAVEN
22. FEB 13, 1944 LIVOSSART & BOIS REMPRE (NOBALL) (flew with Lt Frank Valesh PFF Crew and were assigned to 385th BG
Maj. H.T. "Spoon" Witherspoon 551st BS C.O. and later Grp Air Exec.)
23. APR. 13, 1944 AUGSBURG (Lt Col Kidd-PFF)
24. MAY 7, 1944 BERLIN
25. JUN. 21, 1944 RUHLAND (Russian Shuttle) (High Sqdn lead with Capt. Richard Helmick Crew, Capt Joe "Fuzzy" Zeller-Command Pilot)
26. JUN. 26, 1944 DROHOBYCZ (POLAND) (with Capt. Richard Helmick Crew, Capt Joe "Fuzzy" Zeller-Command Pilot)
27. JUL. 3, 1944 ARAD (RUMANIA) (with Capt. Richard Helmick Crew, Capt Joe "Fuzzy" Zeller-Command Pilot)
28. JUL. 5, 1944 BEZIERS, (from ITALY) (with Capt. Richard Helmick Crew, Capt Joe "Fuzzy" Zeller-Command Pilot)
CAPT. CROSBY HAD COMPLETED HIS REQUIRED MISSIONS AND COULD NOW BE ROTATED STATESIDE BUT UPON HIS RETURN TO THORPE ABBOTTS FROM RUSSIAN SHUTTLE MISSION, HARRY CROSBY WAS INFORMED THAT HE HAD BEEN PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF MAJOR AND WOULD NOT BE ROTATED HOME.
29. SEPT. 8, 1944 MANIZ (8th Air Force Lead with Col Jeffrey as Command Pilot and Capt. Austin Dunlap Crew)
30.
31. MAR 28, 1945 HANOVER A-SQDN LEAD Lt Col David "Handlebar Hank" LYSTER, Maj, CROSBY Lt RAIFORD 719 W PFF
HARDSTAND # 35
32. MAR.31, 1945 BAD BERKA (Lt Col. Harry Cruver Command Pilot with Maj Crosby and Capt. Murray Crew 790 V PFF
Hardstand 50
MAJOR H.H. CROSBY
Orginal 100th Navigator..went overseas with Lt John Brady's crew (Crew # 32, Aircraft #42-30071 "Skipper"), thus arrived in the ETO in June 1943. Became Group Navigator and was with the 100th until the end of hostilities 9 May 45. Major Crosby's tour spans the entire twenty-two months the 100th was on operational status in WWII.
Well known as the navigator of #42-23393 ("Just-A-Snappin") on the 8 0ct 43 Bremen mission. See Edward Jablonski's work FLYING FORTRESS for an account of this mission. Lead Navigator for many of the long range and all the shuttle missions flown by the 100th starting with the 24 Jul 1943 1900 mile trip to Trondeim, Norway with Col Neil Harding (100th Gp Commander). This was the start of a series of missions known as "Blitz Week." The Ragensburg/Africa shuttle with Major John Kidd and Everett Blakely, the Group's long shuttle to Migorod via Ruhland, always a dangerous target that lay just south of Berlin. This second shuttle mission was code named "Frantic", a mission which demanded the utmost in precison navigtion as the distance closely approached the maximum range of the B-17.
Dr. Crosby has continued to serve the 100th for two and one half decades as editor of the 100th Bomb Group Association's Splasher 6. publication. He is assurdly one of the better known 100th veterans and is highly respected by his peers.
He has written a treatise on the 100th that is in publishing as of Feb, 1993. It is anixously awaited by his 100th comrades.
SPLASHER SIX
The Newsletter of the 100th Bomb Group Association
Harry H. Crosby, Editor Emeritus
Smart's Hill Farm
Lovell,Maine04051-8297
207/925-2431
FAX: 207/925-3257
September 2, 1995
Mr. Paul West, Historian
The 100th Bomb Group
Rte 2 - Box 402 FAX 817/726-3733
Valley View, Texas 76272 817/726-3563
Dear Paul--and Betty:
Eventually I do what I commit myself to do--or at least most of it.
Now I send you your promised copy of Gil Cohen's "The Regensburg Mission." As your "Print Documentation" shows, you have #23 of the 25 "Presentation Proofs." I endorsed it properly to make you rich if the paintings ever get wildly inflated in value.
Speaking of "value, " I will punch the right buttons on my computer to bring up the story of the painting.
For some time Gil Cohen has been doing a series on aviation during WWII. He decided to do a picture on the inside of a B-17 and fixed on one of me. For his research, Gil read my book and several other books about the 100th. He went to Thorpe Abbotts, our base when we were in England, 1943-45. He interviewed me several times via phone. He also spent a lot of time at the Pentagon decided at several Air Force Museums. He talked with Keith Ferris, who did the painting on the dust jacket of the hard-cover edition of my book.
Gil decided that the best setting for the painting would be in the nose of " Just-a-Snappin" at the moment we dropped the bombs over Regensburg. One touch of authenticity is that I am writing with my left hand. The plane and equipment are very accurate.
Jim Douglas our bombardier, is in the picture. He has just dropped the bombs and is looking back at me, his thumb raised in the "We did it" gesture. In the final 34 x 21 picture, an inscription describes the event and includes both our names.
Gil Cohen sold the original to a Memphis, Tennessee, doctor and duplication rights to a publisher, Spofford House in New Hampshire, who made 850 copies. Spofford seems to be promoting the picture quite extensively, and several members of my 100th Bomb Group Old Boy Network have sent me ads which have appeared in several military and art magazine.
The painting seems to be developing a life of its own. Recently a group of Luftwaffe and other German leaders decided that the fortunes of World War II changed when they lost control of the skies. When the 8th destroyed the ball bearings in Schweinfurt and the aircraft factors in Regensburg, the war was over for Germany. As a result, a painting of that moment has become very significant, and collectors are buying the picture. One man drove 200 miles round trip to get my autograph on a print; another drove a hundred round. One aficionado sent me a copy to autograph. When it was damaged uninsured on the return, he shelled out another $130 for a second copy. I get other reports that the picture is selling well.
The Aerospace Education Foundation puts out a calendar each year which features aviation paintings. This year the illustration for the month of April is the Cohen painting, complete with an account of the event over Regensburg. A mail order firm, Tailwinds, lists in its catalogue a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle for $19.95. It too is the Regensburg painting. Near Washington, O. C., a Virginia Bader, niece of the RAF ace, Douglas Bader, runs an art gallery. On March 10-12, she put on a show featuring the picture and flew me down for the event. Jack Kidd and Ed Yevich, ex-100th fellows who were with me on the plane that day were there, as was John Brady, my first pilot. That was when you were at Harry Cruver's party, Paul.
The picture has brought me as much notice as the book A fellow from Canada sent me a picture of a B-17 to autograph. Already on the pictures were the signatures of John Lawlor, the copilot who got a Medal of Honor for bringing a B-17 home with his pilot decapitated, and the pilots of the Enola Gay and the Memphis Belle. I told him he had put me in quite august company.
I wouldn't say I am embarrassed by all this--in fact, I have thoroughly enjoyed all the attention--but I am a bit dazzled, and very surprised. I find it interesting that all I do is sign things and other people are trying to make me into a legend. I just never expected all this to happen when I wrote my book.
That's the story, Paul and Betty. I hope all goes well with you. Because of commitments here Mary Alice will not be in Fort Worth, which I regret because I wanted her to meet some grand people, the Wests.
Yours,
Harry Crosby
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Harry Herbert Crosby, long-time resident of Newton, MA and of Lovell, ME, died peacefully at Jesmond Nursing Home in Lynn on July 28, 2010. He was 91.
Harry was born in 1919 to Guy and Eva Crosby in New England, North Dakota. His family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where, during high school, he played clarinet and started, in his words, a “floperoo” of a dance band called Harry Crosby and his Maroon Melodies.
Harry entered the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa, a happy period of his life about which he spoke often, especially marrying Jean Evelyn Boehner, from Chillicothe, Missouri, in 1943, and the fun of working at the Student Union as a “Union Boy.”
In 1942, he joined the WWII war effort as a cadet, trained as a navigator, and arrived in England in June, 1943 with the 100th Bomb Group (Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force. Rapidly promoted to Group Navigator, he was responsible for assembling as many as 2000 warplanes from various bases in England, leading them to their targets and safely home again. After a full tour of 25 missions, he remained in England for seven more, serving until the end of hostilities on May 9, 1945. He left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel and many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Croix de Guerre.
Returning to school, he graduated from Iowa with an M.A. in 1947 and then from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, where Wallace Stegner supervised his Ph.D. thesis in 1953. Harry taught English composition and American literature at Iowa City, where he was Writing Supervisor of the Rhetoric Program, from 1950 to 1958, when he moved with his wife and four children to Newton, Massachusetts for a faculty position at the College of Basic Studies at Boston University. He retired from Boston University in 1984, after chairing the Department of Rhetoric at CBS and authoring or co-authoring with CBS colleagues eight textbooks on college writing. During his early retirement, he served briefly as Director of the Writing Center at Harvard University.
His combined military and university experience prepared him to help develop curriculum at the Air Force Academy, early in its history in Colorado Springs. In 1960, Harry took a leave of absence from Boston University for two years as Director of Studies for the Pakistani Air Academy in Risalpur, (West) Pakistan. There with his family, he helped develop a pilot training program into an academy like the service academies in the United States.
During his twenty-six years in Newton, he and Jean were very active in church, community and civic affairs. They attended Grace Church where Harry served on the Vestry Committee and, with Jean, supported church sponsorship of several immigrant Cambodian “boat people” families. They chaired the Newton campaign effort for Representative Father Robert Drinan during several election seasons and, in 1980, Harry worked in Representative Barney Frank’s first congressional campaign. He was also an early and long supporter of Michael Dukakis’ political career. Harry served on the Newton Board of Aldermen from 1970 – 73, during which he was particularly pleased to support development of both the Newton Arts Center and low-income housing. Harry’s wife Jean died of cancer in 1980.
Harry married Mary Alice Tompkins Brennan in 1982 and moved with her to her lovely hilltop tree farm in Lovell, Maine after retiring from academics. During his sixteen years in Lovell, Harry continued his commitment to community service as a Trustee of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, an active member of the Lovell United Church of Christ, and participant in the Grey Eagles, a New Hampshire organization of veterans of WWII. He also founded and led “The Jefferson Group” a weekly Sunday afternoon gathering dedicated to discussion of scholarly matters and topics of the day.
While in Maine, Dr. Crosby authored two more textbooks and, in 1993, Harper Collins published his well-received WWII memoir, “A Wing and a Prayer”, a personal history of the famous “Bloody 100th” Bomb Group flying B-17s out of England. The book was carried by the Smithsonian Institute gift store and through their catalog for several years and Harry traveled extensively promoting the book. In 1998, for his 79th birthday, Harry’s children took him to London for interviews about his WWII service, and for a visit to the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, the small airfield from which Harry flew. Harry remained an active veteran by serving for two and a half decades as editor of the 100th Bomb Group Association’s “Splasher Six” publication. His name figures in nearly every history of the Eighth Air Force, especially Edward Jablonski’s book about B-17s, “Flying Fortress”, and Harry was interviewed as recently as last year for his appearance in a March, 2010 television show, “The Bombing of Germany” shown on PBS’s “American Experience”.
In 2001, Harry moved from Maine to Springhouse, an assisted living facility in Jamaica Plain, MA., where he enjoyed the many activities, visits and travel with his family, and the highly professional and friendly staff until just six weeks before his death. At Springhouse, he was called “Mr. Wonderful” because, when asked how he was, he reliably replied with a hearty, “Wonderful!” and during his brief stay at Jesmond Nursing Home in Lynn, he was called “Friend” because that’s how he addressed everyone else.
Harry is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Brennan-Crosby, of Lovell, Maine; four children, Steve of Boston, MA., April of Fairbanks, Alaska, Jeff of Lynn, MA., and Rebecca Hutchinson of Deerfield, NH., eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and three stepchildren, Haley Childs, Maura Brennan Burton and John Tompkins Brennan, and five stepgrandchildren.
Arrangements are being made by the Eaton Mackay Funeral Home. As he wished, Dr. Crosby will be cremated and buried beside his first wife in the East Parish Burying Ground, the Old Newton Cemetery on Centre Street. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge Street in Newton, MA. Harry’s friends and colleagues are invited to join his family at this service to celebrate his long and full life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Springhouse Employee Holiday Fund, Springhouse, 44 Allandale Street, Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130.
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To whom it may concern:
100 BG Navigator Harry Crosby, longtime editor of the 100 BG newsletter and former 100 BG Group Navigator, passed away in July. From the Newton, MA Tab:
Harry Herbert Crosby, long-time resident of Newton, and of Lovell, Maine died peacefully at Jesmond Nursing Home in Lynn Wednesday, July 28, 2010. He was 91. Harry was born in 1919 to Guy and Eva Crosby in New England, N.D. His family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, where, during high school, he played clarinet and started, in his words, a floperoo of a dance band called Harry Crosby and his Maroon Melodies. Harry entered the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, a happy period of his life about which he spoke often, especially marrying Jean Evelyn Boehner, from Chillicothe, Mo., in 1943, and the fun of working at the Student Union as a Union Boy. In 1942, he joined the World War II war effort as a cadet, trained as a navigator, and arrived in England in June 1943 with the 100th Bomb Group (Heavy) of the Eighth Air Force. Rapidly promoted to Group Navigator, he was responsible for assembling as many as 2000 warplanes from various bases in England, leading them to
their targets and safely home again. After a full tour of 25 missions, he remained in England for seven more, serving until the end of hostilities on May 9, 1945. He left the service with the rank of Lt. Colonel and many medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and Croix de Guerre. Returning to school, he graduated from Iowa with an M.A. in 1947 and then from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif., where Wallace Stegner supervised his Ph.D. thesis in 1953. Harry taught English composition and American literature at Iowa City, where he was Writing Supervisor of the Rhetoric Program, from 1950-1958, when he moved with his wife and four children to Newton, Mass. for a faculty position at the College of Basic Studies at Boston University. He retired from Boston University in 1984, after chairing the Department of Rhetoric at CBS and authoring or co-authoring with CBS colleagues eight textbooks on college writing. During his early
retirement, he served briefly as Director of the Writing Center at Harvard University. His combined military and university experience prepared him to help develop curriculum at the Air Force Academy, early in its history in Colorado Springs. In 1960, Harry took a leave of absence from Boston University for two years as Director of Studies for the Pakistani Air Academy in Risalpur, (West) Pakistan. There with his family, he helped develop a pilot training program into an academy like the service academies in the United States. During his 26 years in Newton, he and Jean were very active in church, community and civic affairs. They attended Grace Church where Harry served on the Vestry Committee and, with Jean, supported church sponsorship of several immigrant Cambodian boat people families. They chaired the Newton campaign effort for Representative Father Robert Drinan during several election seasons and, in 1980, Harry worked in Representative Barney
Franks first congressional campaign. He was also an early and long supporter of Michael Dukakis political career. Harry served on the Newton Board of Aldermen from 1970|1973, during which he was particularly pleased to support development of both the Newton Arts Center and low-income housing. Harrys wife Jean died of cancer in 1980. Harry married Mary Alice Tompkins Brennan in 1982 and moved with her to her lovely hilltop tree farm in Lovell, Maine after retiring from academics. During his sixteen years in Lovell, Harry continued his commitment to community service as a Trustee of the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, an active member of the Lovell United Church of Christ, and participant in the Grey Eagles, a New Hampshire organization of veterans of WWII. He also founded and led The Jefferson Group a weekly Sunday afternoon gathering dedicated to discussion of scholarly matters and topics of the day. While in Maine, Dr. Crosby authored two more
textbooks and, in 1993, Harper Collins published his well-received WWII memoir, A Wing and a Prayer, a personal history of the famous Bloody 100th Bomb Group flying B-17s out of England. The book was carried by the Smithsonian Institute gift store and through their catalog for several years and Harry traveled extensively promoting the book. In 1998, for his 79 birthday, Harrys children took him to London for interviews about his WWII service, and for a visit to the 100th Bomb Group Memorial Museum at Thorpe Abbotts, the small airfield from which Harry flew. Harry remained an active veteran by serving for two and a half decades as editor of the 100th Bomb Group Associations Splasher Six publication. His name figures in nearly every history of the Eighth Air Force, especially Edward Jablonskis book about B-17s, Flying Fortress, and Harry was interviewed as recently as last year for his appearance in a March, 2010 television show, The Bombing of Germany
shown on PBSs American Experience. In 2001, Harry moved from Maine to Springhouse, an assisted living facility in Jamaica Plain, where he enjoyed the many activities, visits and travel with his family, and the highly professional and friendly staff until just six weeks before his death. At Springhouse, he was called Mr. Wonderful because, when asked how he was, he reliably replied with a hearty, Wonderful! and during his brief stay at Jesmond Nursing Home in Lynn, he was called Friend because thats how he addressed everyone else. Harry is survived by his wife, Mary Alice Brennan-Crosby, of Lovell, Maine; four children, Steve of Boston, April of Fairbanks, Alaska, Jeff of Lynn, and Rebecca Hutchinson of Deerfield, N.H., eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and three stepchildren, Haley Childs, Maura Brennan Burton and John Tompkins Brennan, and five step grandchildren. Arrangements are being made by the Eaton Mackay Funeral Home. As he wished,
Dr. Crosby will be cremated and buried beside his first wife in the East Parish Burying Ground, the Old Newton Cemetery on Centre Street. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Aug. 7, at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge St. in Newton. Harrys friends and colleagues are invited to join his family at this service to celebrate his long and full life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Springhouse Employee Holiday Fund, Springhouse, 44 Allandale St., Jamaica Plain, MA. 02130.
MEMO 2:
MISSION Notes from Harry Crosby
October 8. 1943-Bremen:
"Leading a large formation of B-17s, we were hit hard over the target, spun out of control and saved from crashing by the superb efforts of our pilot and command pilot. With two engines knocked out, we were forced to head home alone at low altitude, our plane riddled by over 1,200 shell holes by actual count, one crewman mortally wounded and five severely injured. When we were attacked repeatedly by Luftwaffe fighters along the way, our gunners shot down ten of them. Unable to ditch in the North Sea because of our wounded or to make it to our own airfield, [we] crash-landed at a “dummy” airfield on the English coast."
DFC Citation
"For extraordinary achievement, while serving as Navigator of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Continental Europe, 24 July 1943. Lieutenant Crosby’s outstanding performance as lead Navigator on one of the longest raids thus far conducted by the Eighth Air Force made possible the bombing of a vital objective under difficult conditions. In spite of adverse weather conditions, all planes reached the target and the mission was accomplished without loss. The courage and skill displayed by Lieutenant Crosby on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."
PHOTOS:
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Harry H. Crosby - 100th's long time Group Navigator (100th Photo Archives) |
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Thorpe Abbotts - Woodrow "Woodie" McGill driving and wearing Rosie's hat, front passenger Jim Douglas, back from left Saul Levitt, who would win a Pulitzer Prize after the war, Harry Crosby and hatless the legendary Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal. (100th Photo Archives) |
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Harry Crosby ready to board for a mission - the 100th's Group Navigator battled air-sickness throughout his tour, never letting it interfere with his duty (100th Photo Archives) |
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Harry Crosby shown here as an Aviation Cadet in California (100th Photo Archives) |
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The Navigators: L-R: Leo Kimbal OIC of Lead Crew Navigators, Carl Roesel 418th Sqd NAV, Joe Anderson 349th Sqd NAV, Lee Raden 350th Sqd NAV, Harry Crosby Group NAV, Ed King 351st NAV and Walter Klinikowski (Klink) Asst 349th Sqd NAV (100th Photo Archives) |
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Harry Crosby sitting on Jeep's hood surrounded by a 100th Navigators Crosby Collection |
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Maj. Harry Crosby, Group Navigator posing with a wartime photo of himself from a copy of Flying Fortress by Ed Jablonski . The plane in the background was painted High Life to coincide with a promotion being done by Miller High Life and the Crew of Donald Oaks. Today it is painted as Aluminum Overcast and owned by the EAA. |
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Harry Crosby inspecting Just a Snappin after crashing into a tree upon emergency landing at RAF field |
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Harry Crosby in Algeria (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby, Charlie Via, Ev Blakely, Jack Kidd, Jim Douglass, Lester Saunders, Monroe Thornton, and William McClelland in North Africa (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby in Algeria (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby in Algeria, following the Regensburg mission (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby in Algeria (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby in Algeria (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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Harry Crosby at Thorpe Abbotts in 1983 (photo courtesy of Richard Gibson) |
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Harry Crosby (from the collection of Russell Heckman) |
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Harry Crosby (from the collection of Russell Heckman) |
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Harry Crosby and Robert Rosenthal during a visit to Thorpe Abbotts in 1986 (photo courtesy of Carolyn McGill Hoelscher). |
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Harry Crosby at the navigator's desk (from the collection of Herb Leaverton) |
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From left: "Rosie" (Rosenthal), Frederick Sutterlin, and Harry Crosby. (100th Photo Archives) |
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100th Officers photographed at Thorpe Abbotts in 1944. Standing third from left is Harry H. Crosby, Joseph "Big Joe" Armanini, Everett Blakeley. Seated from left: Sammy Barr, John Bennett and Rosie. (Robert Rosenthal) (100th Photo Archives) |
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Group Navigator Harry Crosby holding his jacket and 351st BOM Bill Bates holding the jacket of Leslie B. Moore. Photo taken in 2007. Courtesy of Jack O'Leary. |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" - Leading the 100th to Regenburg 17 Aug 1943 (100th Photo Archives) |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" home from Bremen, 8 Oct 1943. The crash landing was at Ludham, England (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" home from Bremen, 8 Oct 1943. The crash landing was at Ludham, England. Jack Kidd Collection |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" home from Bremen, 8 Oct 1943. The crash landing was at Ludham, England. Jack Kidd Collection |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" There were over 800 holes in the aircraft. Home from Bremen, 8 Oct 1943. The crash landing was at Ludham, England
Kidd Collection |
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Maintenance personnel inspect "JUST-A-SNAPPIN" home from Bremen, 8 Oct 1943. The crash landing was at Ludham, England
Kidd Collection |
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"JUST-A-SNAPPIN" (100th Photo Archives) |
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Crash landing of Maj. John B. "Jack" Kidd after the Bremen mission 8 October 1943 |
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Crash landing of Maj. John B. "Jack" Kidd after the Bremen mission 8 October 1943 |
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Crash landing of Maj. John B. "Jack" Kidd after the Bremen mission (8 October 1943) |
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Omar "The Tent Maker" Gonzales and Harry Crosby |
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Harry Crosby and Capt Douglas over Regensburg Aug 17, 1943. |
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The Everett E. Blakely crew. Standing from left, William McClelland, Harry H. Crosby, Charles A. Via, Jr., Everett E. Blakely, James R. Douglas, Kneeling, Lester W. Saunders, Monroe R. Thornton, Edward S. Yevich, Lyle E. Nord, and Edmund G. Forkner. Detailed Information (from the collection of Edmund Forkner) |
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From left: Gerry Hamilton, Margaret Ann Blakely and Jean Crosby. |
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Left to right: Capt Douglas (Group Bombardier), Lt. Ken Welty (Nav), Lt Col John Bennett (349th CO and Air Exe) Col Neil B. "Chick" Harding (Group CO), Maj John B. "Jack" Kidd 351st CO and Group Operations), Maj Harry Crosby (Group Navigator), Lt Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal (from the collection of Anthony Pecyk) |
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At the 1986 100th Bomb Group Reunion at Thorpe Abbotts. The top picture features the veterans in the control tower. My Father is at the left; Robert Rosenthal is sixth from the right. Harry Crosby is in the center with the beard pointing towards the distance...Raul Freitas
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General Curtis LeMay, Commander of the 3rd Air Division, presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to members of the 100th Bomb Group for their part in the Regensburg shuttle mission to North Africa on August 17, 1943. Left to Right: Colonel Bill Veal, Colonel Jack Kidd, Major Everett Blakely, Captain John Brady, Lieutenant John Justice, Captain Thomas Murphy, Captain Henry Henington, Captain James Douglass, and Captain Harry Crosby. |
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Charles Via and Harry Crosby (from the collection of Jim Potts) |
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William McClelland and Harry Crosby (Photo courtesy of the McClelland Family) |
SERVED IN:
- BRADY, John D. - P
- HOERR, John L. - CP
- CROSBY, Harry H. - NAV
- HAMILTON, Howard B. - BOM
- BLUM, Adolph - TTE
- HAFER, Joseph E. - ROG
- LEVITT, Saul - ROG
- EGAN, John C. - COM
- GANGWER, Roland D. - BTG
- CLANTON, Harold E. - WG
- MCCUSKER, James A. - WG
- PETROHELOS, George J. - TG
