Mission 291 - 1

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 29127 December 1944

Target: Railroad Marshalling Yard at Euskirchen, GermanyCrews Dispatched: 39

Length of Mission: 6 hours

Bomb Load: 18 x 250 lb H.E. M57 & 2 x 500 lb M17 Incendiaries

Bombing Altitudes: 23,650, 22,800 & 23,500 ft

Ammo Fired: 7,240 rounds

Freezing weather and fog again restricted operations at many 8th Air Force Bases.None of the 38 Group aircraft dispatched returned early.

Thirty-five aircraft dropped 601 250-lb. H.E. M57 and 66 500-lb. M17 incendiarybombs from 23,650, 22,800 and 23,500 feet. Four aircraft jettisoned their bombs. Bombingwas visual and some hits were made on the target. High Squadron bombs hit in a field 21/2 miles from the target. There were no clouds or contrails in the target area and visibilitywas unlimited.

There was no enemy opposition and 46 US P-51s provided poor support. Mostcrews reported seeing only a few friendly fighters. Anti-aircraft fire was moderate, butaccurate, over the target. Meager and quite accurate flak was encountered a few milessouth of St. Vith, along the battle line. Seventeen aircraft sustained major battle damageand 14, minor damage. Five crewmen were wounded and all aircraft returned toMolesworth.

SHOOT OFF A FLARE — WOUNDED ABOARDUnusual Experiences of Lt. Basil D. Hight, Jr.

It was the 27th of December 1944 and we were feeling good about it all. The crewof Lt. M. M. Stiver’s crew had a successful trip over the rail yards at Euskirchen, Germany.There were no enemy flak and no fighters, therefore no matter that there was also noescorting P-51s.

This was our fourth bombing raid and the first time we had seen Germany, muchless the target. Our three previous trips had been 10/10ths cloud cover. Our navigator,Leon Beasley, was kneeling beside me with maps in hand and was giving us a cook’s tourof Germany. His father had been in World War I and Leon recognized the names ofsome of those old battle sites that we were now approaching. Suddenly all hell brokeloose as the front-line German gunners began firing at and hitting us. Our path out ofGermany had taken us too near to the point of attack of Hitler’s winter offensive which wasnow beginning. The waist gunner, Bob Wilson reported that he had been hit in theleg—shortly a report of bandits in the area—Bob asking for help—it all happened so fast.

The pilot was sending me to help, but I suggested the navigator since I would beneeded on the nose guns with enemy fighters around. Stiver reminded me that he wouldbe needed to layout the shortest way back to Molesworth. I had to agree, so with shakinghands I reluctantly attached the portable oxygen bottle and made my way through thenow empty bomb bay and the radio room to assist Bob.

Mission 291 - 2

MERRILL M. STIVER CREW - 360th BSB-17G Idaliza #42-97546 PU-E

(crew assigned 360BS: 01 Dec 1944 - photo: 03 Jan 1945)(Back L-R) 2Lt Basil D. Hight, Jr. (B), 2Lt Leon O. Beasley (N),

2Lt Alexander T. Kacus (CP), 1Lt Merrill M. Stiver (P) (Front L-R) T/Sgt Walter M. Godley (R), T/Sgt Kenneth R. Auer (E),

S/Sgt Robert A. Gilbert (TG), S/Sgt Robert W. Pilgrim (BT)

He had been hit behind the knee and it seemed to me that it had bled profusely.I managed to cut the flying suit so that I could apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding,knowing full well that he was going to die any minute. I soon realized that I had been outof touch with the crew so I unplugged his headset and used the connections to tell themhow he was. I never reconnected his headset since I felt he would be better off nothearing.

By now he was in severe pain and I realized I had not yet administered morphine.I took out a vial and immediately broke the frozen needle. Remembering my training, Ithen placed two vials under my arm pit and in due time successfully injected one into thecalf of his leg. We had been warned about leaving the tourniquet on too long soperiodically I released the pressure and each time he would yell in pain. It finally dawnedon me that I had applied the morphine below the tourniquet. I managed to cut away somemore of his suit and get a shot above the restriction.

Everything else was going for the better. No enemy fighters appeared so we leftthe formation at the coast and rapidly descended below the need for oxygen. At last Idivested myself of the portable oxygen bottle that seemed to always be in my way. The

radio operator came tomy assistance and alsoadministered moralsupport to us, which Isorely needed.

Though badlylaced with shrapnel, theplane was not severelydamaged. The navigatorgot us to Molesworth longahead of the Group andthe medical crews wereready and waiting whenour wheels stopped rolling.There were 168 flak holespatched we were told.

Bob Wilson neverflew again, and he alsonever regained completeuse of his leg. Hefrequently used a cane buthe was able to go into the

construction business with his father-in-law in West Virginia. He and his wife had a childeach year for the next five or six. Several times during those years, I told him he survivedin spite of me—not because of me.

I’m well aware that this situation was not so unique. Many times during the nextfew months I was far more severely frightened, but that fourth mission is burned in mymemory forever.

Mission 291 - 3

LOGAN B. HATCH CREW - 360th BS(crew assigned 360BS: 04 Oct 1944 - photo: 15 Oct 1944)

(Back L-R) 1Lt Ernest H. Holtorf (CP), Capt Logan B. Hatch (P), 1Lt Fred H. Devine (N), 2Lt Henry Friedlander (B)(Front L-R) T/Sgt Peter Fuczka (E), T/Sgt Averell M. Broughton, Jr. (R), S/Sgt Michael J. Larkin (TG),

S/Sgt Paul A. Buchanan (BT), S/Sgt Ennis B. Free, Jr. (WG), S/Sgt Charles A. Patterson (WG)

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Healy-Packard038 - PFF

Hewitt Roberts 597 166

Gano281

Aagesen Wertz 734 689

Rose Freeman 621 191Schlecht Reid Gobrecht Poole 569 763 38238 316 McGinnis 875

Mission 291 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Hatch-Norris439 - PFF

Holtorf-Stiver Gravrock 861 318

McCutchan523

Fink Hardin 563 672

Kallet Grisham 544 462Middlemas St. Julien Garrett Milman 516 532 590 530 Weaver 647

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group C

Cunningham-Fravel44-8238 - PFF

Knudson Rogers 502 289

Knutzen682

Holmes Rybaltowski 999 206

Proffitt Holm 764 554Tasker Gates Woodson McCutcheon 645 842 006 427 Harding 050

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

CREW POSITIONSCMP - Command PilotP - PilotCP - Co-PilotNAV - NavigatorANV - Ass't. NavigatorMNV - Mickey NavigatorENG - EngineerBOM - BombardierRO - Radio Operator

TOG - TogglierBT - Ball Turret OperatorTT - Top Turret OperatorTG - Tail GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - GunnerVI - Voice InterpreterOBS - Observer

PAS - PassengerPHO - PhotographerY - Y-Operators (YRO,YO)RCM - Radio Cntr MeasuresSJ - Spot Jammer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in action

POW - Prisoner of warDOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 291 - 5

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #44-6316 (No Name)

P Poole, Lawrence E., 2LtCP Cannon, Harley E., 2LtNAV Birkenseer, Donald L., 1LtTOG Smith, Donald P., SgtENG Pullen, Rayford E., SgtWG Kinsland, Harry D., SgtRO Hoke, Marvin L., SgtBT Morrill, Charles K., SgtTG Kindred, Beryl E., Sgt

B-17G #44-6006 (No Name)

P Woodson, William H., 2LtCP Lanigan, Harold A., F/ONAV Finn, Russell C., F/OBOM Stevenson, John L., SgtENG Brown, Richard A., SgtWG Riley, Lloyd S., SgtRO Gramiak, Victor J., SgtBT Burnette, R.L., SgtTG Farrell, Peter J., Sgt

B-17G #43-38238 (No Name)

P Gobrecht, Harry D., 2LtCP Eby, Joe M., 2LtNAV McDonald, Walter H., 2LtTOG Miller, Robert J., SgtENG Benefield, Lenville H., SgtBT Mays, Thomas G., SgtRO Quick, Edgar H., SgtWG McGrory, William P., S/SgtTG Buske, Phillip R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38191 Shasta

P Freeman, Clyde E., 1LtCP Elkins, Richard A., 2LtNAV Goldstein, Sheldon, 2LtTOG Brown, James L., S/SgtENG Fleck, Peter J., S/SgtTG Caporusso, Frank J., SgtRO VanLier, Donald E., S/SgtWG Cooper, Ray R., SgtBT Chesney, Alan D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38554 Bouncing Betty III

P Holm, Maurice M., 1LtCP Fletcher, Harold D., F/ONAV Howard, Paul A., 2LtTOG Kedzierski, Edward P., S/SgtENG Compton, M.C., T/SgtWG Huck, Robert L., SgtRO Dale, John A., T/SgtBT Ebert, Preston P., S/SgtTG Moran, George J., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38462 Teddy’s Rough Riders

P Grisham, Rufus W., Jr., 1LtCP Cox, William H., 2LtNAV Hartel, Gale E., 2LtTOG Denning, Glenn J., S/SgtENG Scheuermann, Edwin P., T/SgtBT Loessin, Gerhard W., Jr., S/SgtRO Post, Harry R., T/SgtWG Buie, Ben M., S/SgtTG Willis, Arnold, Sgt

Mission 291 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #43-37590 Neva-The Silver Lady

P Garrett, Charles E., 2LtCP Castillo, Joseph L.A., 2LtNAV Magner, John H., Jr., F/OBOM Reed, Andrew T., 2LtENG Hohstadt, Hollis H., SgtWG Prudhoe, Charles E., SgtRO Henson, Jessey B., SgtBT Walczak, John, SgtTG Van Cleave, Joseph A., Sgt

B-17G #44-8427 Henn’s Revenge

P McCutcheon, George E., 1LtCP Geile, Thomas A., 2LtNAV Celich, Nicholas J., 2LtTOG Day, Keith E., SgtENG Burcham, Johnnie O., T/SgtWG Foulk, Donald H., S/SgtRO Alexander, John C., S/SgtBT Aberdeen, James E., S/SgtTG Kinsman, George R., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38530 (No Name)

P Milman, Jerome, 2LtCP Harwick, James A., 2LtNAV Heiser, Kenneth, 2LtBOM Chambers, Rex, 2LtENG Eygabroad, Robert J., SgtWG Ready, William C., SgtRO Noble, Neal W., SgtBT Fox, Raymond H., Jr., SgtTG Johnson, Jack W., Sgt

Mission 291 - 7

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-107206 Old Black Magic

P Rybaltowski, Vincent, 2LtCP Olson, John A., 2LtNAV Davis, Daryl W., 2LtBOM McLeod, Harry A., 2LtENG Perlowitz, Murray A., SgtRO Capps, Douglas M., SgtBT Hollingsworth, Donald M., SgtTG Reseigh, John R., SgtWG Vitiritto, Joseph A., Sgt

B-17G #43-38682 (No Name)

P Knutzen, Owen A., 2LtCP Bitler, Hower E., Jr., 2LtNAV Christenson, Leroy P., 2LtBOM Barlow, Richard B., 1LtENG Klym, Michael, SgtRO Jobe, Andrew K., Jr., SgtBT Kennedy, Jack B., SgtTG Hartmann, Alexander, T/SgtWG Tarnava, Christopher, Jr., Sgt

B-17G #44-6502 (No Name)

P Knudson, Darwin D., 2LtCP Heitman, David E., 2LtNAV Moon, Richard Y., 2LtBOM Elliott, Harold F., 2LtENG Lainson, Colin C., S/SgtRO Jones, Walter N., Jr., SgtBT Meichtry, Leo R., SgtTG McDonald, Billy L., SgtWG Palm, Kenneth A., Sgt

B-17G #43-38289 Sweet LaRhonda

P Rogers, Clem W., 2LtCP Powlus, Vernon F., F/ONAV Simon, Albert, 2LtBOM Kraft, Arthur C., 2LtENG Reese, Bobbie B., SgtRO Wysocki, John F., SgtBT Simpson, James A., S/SgtTG Palsa, Rudolph, SgtWG Westfall, Byron D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38764 (No Name)

P Proffitt, John S., 1LtCP Ogborn, Maurice E., 2LtNAV Finke, John C., 2LtTOG Wilson, Johnnie R., SgtENG Young, James W., SgtRO Norris, Cornie, Jr., SgtBT Bechtold, Robert E., SgtTG O'Neal, Howard F., SgtWG Rose, G.L., Sgt

B-17G #43-38645 (No Name)

P Tasker, Richard E., 2LtCP Francis, Angelito, 2LtNAV Meadows, Clyde, F/OBOM McDonnell, John J., 2LtENG Toon, William D., SgtRO Minnix, Glenn A., SgtBT Schilling, Lawrence E., SgtTG Driver, Arthur H., SgtWG Van Ornum, Charles S., Sgt

Mission 291 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-38050 Thunderbird

P Harding, Lawrence T., 2LtCP Force, James G., 2LtNAV Garvey, Richard J., 2LtTOG Otto, Kenneth, Jr., SgtENG O'Brien, William J., SgtRO Cornelius, Russell B., SgtBT Lammers, Roger G., SgtTG Johnson, Robert O., SgtWG Holden, Robert R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38999 Emma

P Holmes, Alfred M., 2LtCP Haynes, Eugene, 2LtNAV Albertson, Edward, F/OBOM Donovan, Thomas A., 2LtENG Sprague, Wendell P., Jr., SgtRO Prehatny, Joseph R., S/SgtBT Vowels, Donovan E., SgtTG Bartkowski, Edward L., SgtWG Anderson, Eston R., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38842 (No Name)

P Gates, Cecil J., 2LtCP Zapora, Theodore T., 2LtNAV Anstrom, Ronald A., 2LtTOG Fogle, Jerome W., Jr., SgtENG Wysocki, Walter, SgtRO Maurer, Charles E., SgtBT Duerr, Richard B., SgtTG Daniel, Nauphlet F., SgtWG Wallis, Elton E., Sgt

B-17G #44-8238 (No Name) - PFF

P Cunningham, Robert L., CaptCP Fravel, Harold L., 2LtNAV Kelly, Thomas N., 1LtNAV Koran, William C., 1LtNAV Estes, Keith E., 1LtBOM Dodson, Jasper C., 1LtENG Sherrill, Elliotte W., T/SgtRO Deen, Oscar A., T/SgtTG Christensen, Lawrence, 1LtWG Ipsen, Allen L., S/Sgt

Mission 291 - 9

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-102544 Sack Time

P Kallet, Sidney, 1LtCP Muth, Clifford F., 2LtNAV Divine, Fred H., 2LtBOM Harrison, Lewis S., 2LtENG Lewis, William J., S/SgtRO Clarke, Frank W., S/SgtBT Macy, Edward J., SgtTG Terreri, Joseph, SgtWG Killelea, Raymond J., Sgt

B-17G #43-38672 (No Name)

P Hardin, Thomas H., Jr., 1LtCP Brown, William W., 2LtNAV Hiebeler, George E., 2LtBOM Driver, Henderson M., Jr., S/SgtENG Mikulich, Stanley, T/SgtRO Kasper, Raymond H., S/SgtBT Kaber, Harvey N., SgtTG Rohrer, Elbert R., SgtWG Sersland, Paul V., Sgt

B-17G #43-38563 Jackie

P Fink, Marvin P., 1LtCP Reeves, Howard E., 2LtNAV Hand, Robert A., 2LtBOM Prince, James R., 2LtENG Holder, Jack E., SgtRO Dahl, Robert F., SgtBT Albright, Richard M., SgtTG Garcia, Cyprian M., SgtWG Peter, Robert C., Sgt

B-17G #44-6523 (No Name)

P McCutchan, Eugene R., 1LtCP Schuchard, Virgil R., 2LtNAV Conard, Willard G., 2LtBOM Bays, Gordon C., 2LtENG Kress, Richard H., T/SgtRO Frey, Alan E., T/SgtBT Scott, Howard E., S/SgtTG Wherry, Robert E., S/SgtWG Pearson, George D.,S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38532 (No Name)

P St. Julien, John D., 2LtCP Newell, Richard M., 2LtNAV Kiehlkopf, George, 2LtBOM Carney, Felix A., 2LtENG Mitchell, William E., SgtRO Flanigan, John J., SgtBT Farthing, Richard M., SgtTG Evans, Marlin D., SgtWG McLellan, Raymond L., Sgt

B-17G #44-6516 My Darling

P Middlemas, Arthur B., 1LtCP Schultz, John W., 2LtNAV Cooley, Royal D., 2LtBOM Dubin, Martin M., S/SgtENG Marshall, Leroy H., SgtRO Avenia, James J., SgtBT Parrish, George K., S/SgtTG Cranshaw, John A., S/SgtWG Maurer, John L., S/Sgt

Mission 291 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-8647 (No Name)

P Weaver, Jack W., 2LtCP Chalmers, John D., F/ONAV Polkabla, William J., 2LtBOM Giancola, James V., S/SgtENG Murphy, Jason, SgtRO Cole, Robert L., SgtBT Lardie, Thomas D., SgtTG Yepes, William J., SgtWG Bailey, Arthur L., Sgt

B-17G #44-8318 (No Name)

P Gravrock, Howard C., 1LtCP White, Raymond E., 2LtNAV Papp, Melvin E., 2LtBOM Puryear, James L., 1LtENG Bostick, George F., T/SgtRO Lillis, Joseph D., T/SgtBT Gilbert, James E., S/SgtTG Carter, James O., PvtWG Wotanis, Leo F., Pvt

B-17G #42-97861 Iza Vailable III

P Holtorf, Ernest H., 2LtCP Stiver, Merrill M., 2LtNAV Beasley, Leon O., 2LtBOM Hight, Basil D., 2LtENG Auer, Kenneth R., SgtRO Godley, Walter M., SgtBT Pilgrim, Robert W., SgtTG Gilbert, Robert A., SgtWG Wilson, Robert T.C., Sgt WIA

B-17G #44-8439 (No Name) - PFF

P Hatch, Logan B., 1LtCP Norris, Loy R., 1LtNAV McCarty, Mike D., 1LtGHN Dimick, Donald L., 2LtMN Wilson, Thomas E., 1LtBOM Downey, Francis G., 2LtENG Fuczka, Peter, T/SgtRO Broughton, Averell M., T/SgtTG Lovold, Ole, 1LtWG Patterson, Charles A., SgtBT Buchanan, Paul A., S/Sgt

Mission 291 - 11

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38689 (No Name)

P Wertz, Robert M., 1LtCP Durst, Melvin A., 2LtNAV Hitt, Kenneth S., F/OBOM Leavell, Adelbert D., Jr., 2LtTT Warne, Ralph W., SgtBT Jensen, Kenneth E., SgtRO Giering, Edward J., SgtTG Bennett, Kenneth A., SgtWG Campbell, Walter C., Sgt

B-17G #43-38763 (No Name)

P Reid, Clair P., 2LtCP Bean, John R., 2LtNAV Rogge, Richard W., 2LtBOM Ganson, Howard H., S/SgtTT Arnott, David H., SgtBT Casciola, Benedict L., SgtRO Foell, Charles R., SgtTG Lowe, Joseph W., SgtWG Clare, Donald T., Sgt

B-17G #42-102569 Miss Lace

P Schlecht, Walter J., 2LtCP Ferrari, William J., 2Lt NAV Tanner, Merlin A., 2LtTT Hedison, Ara H., SgtBT Highfill, Thomas W., S/SgtRO Hradiskey, Joseph R., SgtTG Herod, William J., SgtWG Warburton, Arlis F., Sgt

B-17G #42-39875 Buzz Blonde

P McGinnis, Martin S., CaptCP Doscher, Frederick C., 2LtNAV Hansen, Harley L., 2LtBOM Simone, S.P., SgtTT Lyons, Robert J., S/SgtBT Beal, Donald L., SgtRO Muir, Keith R., T/SgtTG Stevenson, Lowell F., SgtWG Hamilton, Lois R., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-37597 Earthquake McGoon

P Hewitt, Donald I., 2LtCP Wilson, Jack G., 2LtNAV McMahon, William F., 2LtBOM Leas, Harry D., SgtTT Sabo, Stephen R., SgtBT Kohlmayer, Garth G., Sgt RO Schmidt, Elmer J., SgtTG Agrifoglio, Benjamin M., Sgt WG Mussi, James L., Sgt

B-17G #43-38734 Cheshire Cat

P Aagesen, Donald C., 2LtCP McKeon, Preston W., 2LtNAV Minnis, Karl, 2LtBOM Gray, Paul A., SgtTT Ellis, Paul R., SgtBT Calderon, Reuben J., SgtRO Bledsoe, Clinton A., SgtTG Lindeman, Henry E., SgtWG Dorner, Alvin W., S/Sgt

Mission 291 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-6166 The Red

P Roberts, Ingersall J., 1LtCP Bluethenthal, Arthur, 2LtNAV Jenkins, John I., 1LtBOM Burket, Wallace A., 1LtWG Carlson, Harold A., SgtTT Riveland, Alf, SgtRO Renzi, Frank, SgtTG Barber, Albert P., SgtBT Campbell, Gerald R., SgtY Yates, W.F., Sgt

B-17G #43-38621 50 Ragged

P Rose, Jack W., 1LtCP Cornyn, T. John, 2LtNAV Russo, William D., 2LtBOM Nazarian, John K., 2LtTT Dyson, Flake S., S/SgtBT Brinkley, Lynn M., S/SgtRO Scaglione, Joseph, T/SgtTG Hester, Lloyd D., S/SgtWG Cottle, Clyde J., Jr., S/Sgt VI Hassler, Paul H., S/Sgt

B-17G #44-8038 (No Name) - PFF

P Healy, Richard F., Capt CP Packard, Peter L.M., MajNAV Pandy, Bert J., 1LtGH Clark, Floyd L., 2LtMN Caldwell, Walter D., 2LtBOM Kennedy, William J., 1LtTT Robertson, Joseph J., T/Sgt RO Smith, Phillip E., T/Sgt WG Whitlow, Zane O., S/SgtTG Candido, Anthony N., 2Lt

B-17G #42-97281 Queenie

P Gano, Frederick, 1LtCP Flanders, Wesley J., 2LtNAV Maniscalco, John B., F/OBOM Blessing, Gerald D., 2LtTT Anthony, George E., S/SgtBT Coyle, Arthur J., S/SgtRO Elling, Myron A., S/SgtTG Nelson, Edward F., SgtWG Sears, William A., Sgt