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C E R I G N O L ACO N N E C T I O N455th Bomb Group Association Newsletter
Fall, 2014 Editor: Craig Ward, 813 Peterstow Drive, Euless, Texas 76039phone: (817) 540-1068 email: [email protected] website: www.awardphp.com
Message from the President
ByNorman Crum
I'm pleased to once againoffer a few words for this editionof the Cerignola Connection.
We owe a hearty thanksto Craig Ward, who so capablypulls this publication together forus. Thanks, too, to ExecutiveDirector Greg Riggs, who keepsthe organization running.Without these two capable men,the 455th Bomb GroupAssociation would cease toexist.
In previous introductorynotes, I've focused mycomments on both the men andthe machines that took the 455thto war. But, of course, the 455thwas only one part of a largerorganization: the 304th BombWing of the 15th Air Force.
For those of us who aresecond-generation members ofthe Association, perhaps areview of the 15th's mission andhistory would be in order. Iborrow many of the followingwords from the Fifteenth AirForce website, edited byHughes Glantzberg. If you'venot already done so, you mightwant to check it out:www.15thaf.org.
In the 18 months of itsexistence, the Fifteenth AirForce, operating principallyfrom a complex of airfields insouthern Italy, dropped 303,842tons of bombs on enemy targetsin nine countries of southernand eastern Europe. Its combatpersonnel made 148,955 heavybomber sorties and 87,732fighter sorties against theenemy. It lost 3,364 aircraft and21,671 personnel killed,wounded, missing and takenprisoner.
The Fifteenth AF foughtfive broad campaigns: 1) enemy fuel production, 2) enemy air forces, 3) enemy communications andtransportation, 4) enemy ground forces and 5) prisoner rescues.
Most vital of theFifteenth's oil targets was the
In This Edition
Pages 1-2 ... The 15th Air Force
Page 3 ... Contributors
Pages 4-7 ... Dear Editor
Pages 8-9 ... Email Roster
Page 10 ... Final Flights
Page 11 ... Sgt. Charles Bingham
Pages 12-13 ... Getting the News
Pages 14-15 ... 2014 Reunion in OKC
Page 16 ... Dear Editor
Pages 17-18 ... Unearthing History (Discovery of a fallen B-24 bomber)
Pages 19-22 ... Dear Editor
Page 23 ... Observations on Aging,
& “Remember this Little Ditty?”
Back Page ... Message from the455th BG Executive Director
Ploesti complex of refineries,which contributed about 30% ofthe entire Axis fuel supply.Ploesti was protected by 150first class fighters and 250heavy flak guns when theFifteenth began a series ofattacks against it on April 5,1944.
The Ploesti campaigncontinued until 19 August.Fifteenth Air Force andassociated RAF bombers flew5,287 sorties, dropping 12,870tons of bombs. The cost was237 heavies (15 of them RAF),10 P-38 dive bombers and 39escorting fighters. More than2,200 American Airmen werelost, but results were good.
At the end of thecampaign, these heavily-defended refineries werereduced to only 10% of theirprevious production rates. TheFifteenth followed up the Ploestiattacks by dropping 10,000 tonsof bombs in attacks on threesynthetic oil plants in Silesia andone in Poland, reducing theircombined production byFebruary of 1945 to 20% of whatit was the previous year.
By devastating attacks onWeiner Neustadt andRegenshurg, two of the threemain enemy fightermanufacturing complexes, theFifteenth Air Force helped in theearly attainment of European airsupremacy.
By May 1944, well beforethe D-Day landings in France,estimated production at thesesites had already been reducedto 250 aircraft per month againstprevious production of 650aircraft per month.
In addition to the oil andair-supremacy campaigns, theFifteenth also attacked enemycommunications andtransportation systems farbehind the front lines, disruptingsupply and reinforcementmovements from industrialcenters over an 800 mile radiusfrom its Italian airfields.
The Fifteenth alsosupplied support to the army'sground forces, bombing targetsat Salerno, Anzio, and Cassinoin the Rome campaign. On 15April 1945, the Fifteenth put up arecord-breaking 93% of itsavailable aircraft to soften-upthe approaches to Bologna inone of the final missions of theItalian ground campaign.
A unique sidelight of theFifteenth Air Force's operationswas the rescue of air crews shotdown in enemy territory. Noother air force undertook escapeoperations in so many countries.The Fifteenth returned 5,650personnel in more than 300planned rescue operations.Men were brought back safelyfrom Tunisia, Italy, France,Switzerland, Greece, Albania,Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary,Yugoslavia, Austria andGermany.
In this edition of theCerignola Connection, wecontinue to tell the story of theyoung men who flew, fought andserviced the B-24s oversouthern Europe. They werebrave, intelligent men, and wecontinue to be awfully lucky thatthey did their duty andpreserved our freedom.
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Editor’s Note:Many of you have had
the unique experience andpleasure, over the last severaldecades, of traveling toCerignola, Italy, and seeingwhat is left of the San Giovanniairfield, quonset huts, HQ“castle”, chapel, and otherbuildings that were such a bigpart of your mission in the 455thBG in 1944-1945.
Your tour guide wasprobably Mario Capocefalo, whois the “ambassador” of the 454thand 455th Bomb groups in thelocal community. Mario was ateenage “tent boy” for theairmen and ground crews. Heran errands, and did other workfor the Americans, in exchangefor food, money, Englishlessons, etc.
Mario has spent hiswhole lifetime keeping alive thememory of the brave airmenwho risked their lives, and gavetheir lives, in the effort to smashHitler’s war machine. He hasspent many days and nightsshowing visiting Americanveterans, and their families, allthat he has gathered over his 84years regarding the legacy ofthe Army Air Corps’ struggles, inand out of Cerignola, duringthose terrible war years.
Mario has had somehealth issues recently. I’m surehe would like to hear from anyand all well-wishers. Hiscontact information is below:
Mario CapocefaloVia Ivria 3071042Cerignola, Italy FGEmail: [email protected]
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455TH BOMB GROUPASSOCIATION, INC.P.O. BOX 93095AUSTIN, TX. 78709-3095
PRESIDENTNorman CrumEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR /TREASURER Gregory E. Riggs Col. USAF (Ret.)P.O. Box 93095Austin, TX. 78709-3095SECRETARYTed TronoffPAST PRESIDENTRoderick W. ClarkeCol. USAF (Ret.)DIRECTORSJohn F. DavisCol. USAF (Ret.)Ormond H. BuffingtonT/Sgt. USAAFCarl Loiocano T/Sgt. USAAFCraig WardSon, Lt. J. T. WardEditor, Cerignola ConnectionREGISTERED AGENTJohn F. DavisCol. USAF (Ret.)ASSOCIATION HISTORIANJohn Rohrer
The 455th Bomb Group Association, Inc. would like to thank the following Association members for their
generous monetary contributions (cumulative listing):Taxi ($25-$99)
Loraine McGinnis, in memory of Joseph McGinnisGerald W. AdamsJohn Kay McBainVictor E. MurrayLloyd C. Kestner
Takeoff ($100-$199)L. Harvey Hewitt
Charles V. VandorenFrancis G. Hosimer
Charles H. RosenbergElmo J. Henske
AnonymousRichard C. Skagenberg
Helen A. Worster, in memory of Lt. Col John R. WorsterDorothy Wood Cloud, in memory of T/Sgt Robert D. Cloud
Bombs away ($200-$499)Francis G. Hosimer
Karen R. Schoene, in honor of Lt Col Horst R. SchoeneVirginia Corsello, in memory of 1 Lt Anthony (Tony) Corsello
Catherine Spewock, in honor of S/Sgt Andrew SpewockRobert W. Rohler, in honor of 1Lt Charles William (Bill) Rohler
Mission complete ($500 or more)Mary E. Jureka, in honor of Col John F. JurekaNorman Crum, in memory of George W. Crum
Robert O. Foernsler, in memory of Capt Ed Soderstrom & crew
455TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (H)Member Information
Name: __________________________________ Squadron: ___________
Spouse's Name: __________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________
City: ____________________ State: _____________ Zip Code: _______
Telephone: (_____) ___________________
E-Mail Address: ______________________________
May we publish your e-mail address in the newsletter? _____Yes _____NoCurrent members may retain this form and use it to report a future change of address or other contactinformation. The form can also be given to anyone interested in membership. Please return completedforms to: 455th Bomb Group Association, P. O. Box 93095, Austin, Texas 78709-3095.
Dear Editor,I went to my Mothers
house for the holidays last year,and went through more of myDad's things (Maj. Lloyd Griffin,742).
The book that we have isthe First 100 Missions
Operations Manual. This is thesame book that someonescanned, and put a web linkaddress on your newsletter. Wealso have a photo album and hisflight logs.
I did find a few morethings in the photo album that Ithought you might be interestedin, and they are attached.
Best Regards,Wayne [email protected]
4
Photos on this page courtesy ofLloyd Griffin (742)
Dear Editor,My grandfather was a crewmember on the B-24 Pittsburgh Babe. On your website
(www.awardphp.com), I found a photo of him, with you listed as a contributor. I was wondering if youwould know where I could find more information on the crewmembers of that plane, including mygrandfather. The records I have found are rather incomplete. Any help you could give me would begreatly appreciated. Thank you.
Chris [email protected]
Dear Editor,I recently read about a
last-minute B-24H assignmentof my uncle’s crew that waskilled on July 27, 1944 overHungary. I have gone throughall my records and emails andcannot find where that source ofinformation was.
From what I understand,the crew of the Glammer Gal
was assigned another B-24Hnamed the Raleigh H (sn: 42-94993) at the last minute due to mechanical problems with theGlammer Gal. I always thoughtthe Glammer Gal serial numberwas that number.
Could that have comefrom your newsletter, or records,or even in an email I may haveaccidentally deleted?
Thank you.Don [email protected]
Dear Don,I have Glammer Gal as
42-52198 (confirmed inphotographs), and Raleigh H as42-94993 (confirmed in groupand aircraft records).
When the group firstarrived at San Giovanni, crewsoften flew the same aircraft foralmost each mission. As thewar progressed, it became amixed bag. For the 742nd BS, aturning point seemed to be theJune 26, 1944 mission to the oilrefinery at Moosbierbaum,Austria near Vienna. They lostsix aircraft, approximately half ofthe squadron.
Before this mission, therewere references to aircraftbelonging to certain pilots. AfterJune 26, 1944, not so much.
Anything is possible! I don't recall seeing
anything specifically about 198being swapped out with 993 onJuly 27, 1944, but I think it'scertainly possible. Eachsquadron tried to put up tenaircraft for each mission, andthere were usually a few spareaircraft per squadron.
Here is some trivia on 42-94993. It appears that it cameinto the squadron with the nameRaleigh H already applied. Thishappened often - a crew wouldpick up a new aircraft in the US,hire an artist to paint the noseart, only to have the aircraftreassigned when they arrived inItaly. Here is an excerpt fromthe 742nd records (4-16-44):
"Our squadron receivedanother aircraft today - number993 - named Raleigh H. In thedrawing for the new plane, heldamong the first pilots whohaven't had ships as yet, Lt.Montgomery was the luckyofficer."
It's possible that Lt.Montgomery renamed theaircraft, but there's no way ofknowing. Hopefully moreinformation will surface.
I hope this helps!Dave [email protected]
Dear Editor,Recently, I have written
articles in the Huffington Post
and Parade.com for VeteransDay and July Fourth about myfather’s experience in WorldWar II. My mother gave medozens of his letters, which hewrote to his mother in Queens,New York.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-
levison/a-bomb-a-dad-and-a-veterans-
day-plea_b_2097479.html
http://parade.condenast.com/313198/p
arade/why-ill-remember-my-father-
this-fourth-of-july/
I found your excellentresource online, but I did not findmy father’s name in the roll call.
http://texasnetrans.com/Cerignola/pdf/
455thBGHistory_Roll%20Call.PDF
I did discover the name ofhis pilot, George W. Cyr, whowas a member of the 743rd.
My father: John Rodolf LevisonNumber: 32 996 657455th Bomb Group, 743rd sq.Induction: August 9, 1943Discharge: September 20, 1945
Other crew membersincluded: George Cyr, PhillipThiebert, William Ennis, Jr.,Andrew Mondo, Steve Kurey, W.K. Ross, Early Abbott, RobinsonEdgar, Floyd Blackdeer.
My first question is abouthis squadron. His pilot, GeorgeCyr, is listed as 743rd, but hisco-pilot, William Ennis, is listedas 740th. I believe co-pilotsshifted. Is that the issue?
My more generalquestion is whether you wouldhelp me to find out more aboutthe particular missions he flew,his tentmates, the B-24 in whichhe was nose gunner, etc.
Any help you can give mein this search I will appreciateimmensely.
All the best,Jack Levisonhttp://johnrlevison.comEmail: [email protected]
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Dear Editor,National Public Radio did
their annual broadcast of Amahl
and the Night Visitors on theradio the other day, and Iremembered that a pilot fromthe 455th BG (742), 1st Lt DavidAiken, played King Melchior inmost versions. It was waybefore my time, but in the earlydays of TV – 1951 to be exact –it was broadcast live, and waspopular enough that it was a liveannual broadcast through ‘62.
The opera is on YouTube– Mr. Aiken could definitely singHe starts a solo around 25:25.
The internet links are:
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=Hzx-s46vjpY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Aiken_(baritone)
http://forum.armyairforces.com/Looking-for-any-info-on-Lt-David-M-Aiken-of-the-742nd-m222928.aspx
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UajKLsIX6U0/TPV82vwSqsI/AAAA A A A A A C o / 9 7 j 4 E B s J -ag/s1600/Scan+103270000.jpg
Best Regards,Dave [email protected]
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Dear Editor,Thanks for all you do for
the 455th BG! Sorry we couldnot attend Phoenix or OKCreunion. Hoping for anotherchance.
Two of us in Hal Josey'screw (Big Gas Bird) survive.
Angelo Bisinella,Engineer / top turret and me,ball turrett.
Joe [email protected] Middle Holland Rd #502Holland PA 18966215 396 7905
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Men Are Just Happier People
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.Chocolate is just another snack.
You can never be pregnant.You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
See more of these truisms, Page 16
455th BG E-mail Roster
Harry W. Anderson (740)San Antonio,[email protected]
Dave Bathie (assoc. 740) [email protected]
Joel BeauvaisSon, Raymond Beauvais (741)[email protected]
1st. Lt. Thomas A. 'Tom' Bell840 Kimberly Ct.Lander, WY [email protected]
Jack Blum (741) [email protected]
Thomas [email protected]
Ormond Buffington (741)[email protected]
Mario Capocefalo (Italy)[email protected]
Rod Clarke (743)Alexandria, [email protected]
Howard Cooper (740)[email protected]
Robert D. (Bob) Collette (740)South Pasadena, Fl 33707dotybob@verizon .net
Bill & Joyce [email protected] <or>[email protected]
Albert E. Cratch (741)[email protected]
Janet & Russell [email protected]
Norman CrumPresident, 455th BG Assoc.Son of Cpt. George Crum (742)[email protected]
John Davis (741)[email protected]
Jack Dekker (743) [email protected]
Theodore Deppe (741)[email protected]
George [email protected]
John Devito (assoc.)[email protected]
Curtis (Curt) Diles, Jr. (740) [email protected]
Paul H. Ditchett (742) [email protected]
William M. Doyle (742)[email protected]
Robert Emick (741)[email protected]
William E. FredricksonSon, Elwood Fredrickson (743)1521 Woodgate WayTallahassee, FL [email protected]
Marc GaynesSon of Seymour Gaynes (743)[email protected]
Ann GengeDaughter of Allen Durkee (743)[email protected]
Vervin “Gil” Gilson (741)[email protected]
Lt. Col. R. J. Haney (743)[email protected]
Fred Hamilton T/Sgt (740)[email protected]
L. Harvey Hewit (743) Haverford, [email protected]
Robert [email protected]
Frank Hosimer (741)[email protected]
Joe Kiernan (741)280 Middle Holland Rd, #719Holland PA 18966(215) [email protected]
Erling Kindem (742)[email protected]
Viliam [email protected]
George L. Liddle (742) [email protected]
E.J. Ledbetter, Jr. (743)[email protected]
John L. Larma (740) [email protected]
Mark L. MasonSon of Robert G. Mason (742)[email protected]
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455th BG Email Roster (cont.)
Frank [email protected]
Dave Matheson (742) [email protected]
Mike McFadden (Assoc. 743)Son-in-Law of Austin [email protected]
Jim MerrittSon of Lt. Jim Merritt (741)[email protected]
Vic Murray (743) [email protected]
Peter Payant (743) [email protected]
Roland J [email protected]
Wesley Powell (740) [email protected]
Brenda RaymanDaughter, E.J. Ledbetter (743)[email protected]
John RohrerSon of Carl Rohrer (740)[email protected]
Charles H. Rosenberg (741)[email protected].
Irving (Irv) Rubin (743)321-514-3445
Sid Schoengold (740) [email protected]
Dr. Gary R. Schoene, son, Lt Col Horst R. Schoene (743)[email protected]
August R. “Gus” Seefluth (742) [email protected]
Sgt. John E. [email protected]
Michael SpewockSon of Andrew Spewock (743)[email protected]
Charles E. Stark (740) [email protected]
Ted StinerSon of Lt.Theodore Stiner (741)[email protected]
Carl A. Stracka (Pilot, 743)1121 E. Moorpark Ave.Appleton, WI. 54911
Angelo Synodis (741)[email protected]
Julie SummerfieldDaughter of WalterSummerfield (743)[email protected]
Ted Tronoff (742)[email protected]
Dr. Stanley Vogelfang (741) [email protected]
John R. Worster (742). [email protected]
Craig Ward Editor, Cerignola Connection
Son of Lt. J. T. Ward (740) [email protected]
Leland L. Young (743)[email protected] Paul A. Young (741)[email protected]
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Things that you will never hear a Southern boy say:
- When I retire, I'm movin’ North.- I’ll take Shakespeare for$1000, Alex.- Duct tape won't fix that.- We don't keep firearms in thishouse.- You can’t feed that to the dog.- That car is too old and unsafeto drive.- Wrestling is fake.- We’re vegetarians.- Do you think my gut is too big?- Who gives a damn who wonthe Civil War?- Too many deer heads detractfrom the decor.- I just couldn’t find a thing atWal-Mart today.- Cappuccino tastes better thanespresso.- The tires on that truck are toobig.- Unsweetened tea is better.- My fiance, Bobbie Jo, isregistered at Tiffany's.- Checkmate.- She’s too young to be wearinga bikini.- Hey, here’s an episode of"Hee-Haw" that we haven’tseen.- I don’t have a favorite collegeteam.- You guys.- Those shorts ought to be alittle longer, Becky Mae, darlin’.
AND THE NUMBER ONE“THANG” THAT YOU WILL
NEVER HEAR A SOUTHERN BOY SAY:
- Nope, no more for me. I'm driving.
Final FlightMy father, Thomas D.
O'Neill (742), passed awaypeacefully on August 6, 2014.
He was very proud tohave been a member of the455th Bomb Group. Dad was aStaff Sergeant, and made lifelong friends from his time in theAir Force.
He was 91 years old atthe time of his death. My Momand Dad were married a fewweeks before he was shippedoverseas. She passed away in2000.
He worked as an automechanic well into his 80's andeven then continued to workweekends at the local VFWPost.
He is survived by foursons, eight grandchildren andthree great grandchildren. Ihave attached a couple picturesof my father from his time in theservice (top, right, this page>>).
I want to thank you for thework that you do with theCerignola Connection. Dadalways looked forward toreceiving the newsletter.
Sincerely,Larry O'[email protected]
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THE FINAL INSPECTION
The Soldier stood and faced God, Which must always cometo pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as hisbrass.
Step forward now, Soldier, How shall I deal with you?Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church
have you been true?' The soldier squared his shoulders and said,No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be asaint. I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk wastough. And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world isawfully rough. But, I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep.
Though I worked a lot of overtime, When the bills got just toosteep. And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shookwith fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept un-manly tears.I know I don't deserve a place, Among the people here.
They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fearsIf you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll
understand. There was a silence all around the throne, Where the saints
had often trod.As the Soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.Step forward now, you Soldier, You've borne your burdens
well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell.
~Author Unknown~
Final Flight
Duane Vance (743) tookhis final flight on May 28, 2014.He was a member of Crew 17.
He flew his 50 missions,and returned home soon afterD-Day in 1944.
Information courtesy ofVictor Murray (743), one of twosurviving members of Crew 17.
Editor’s Note: The following email
exchange is between two family
members, of two different
crewmembers, that died in the same
B-24 crash in 1944.
Dear David Bridgman,I was so thrilled to read
your article in the Cerignola
Connection Spring, 2014newsletter, asking for help onyour research into your brother'slife and death.
My wife's paternal Uncle,Sgt. Charles B. Bingham, wasalso on that aircraft, and died inthe crash. I have spent yearsresearching my wife’s family,and specifically in the past year,her Uncle. I have found a boxfull of information on Charles’death (see pictures, at right),and continue to look for more.
One of the things I havebeen looking for is a photo of thecrashed plane they were in. Theinformation you includedenlightened me on anotheraspect of their mission ... thatthey were in an aircraft they didnot normally fly in, and that theywere falling behind theformation due to engineproblems.
I have read all of theletters Charles' parentsreceived, and a couple of theletters from Charles that hewrote just a couple of daysbefore his death. These lettersindicated they had been on tenmissions and needed fifteenmore to get R&R (rest andrecuperation) on an island offthe west coast of Italy.
I could tell in the letterthat he was getting lessconfident about going home
after fifty missions, as if he knewinternally that the end was near.
I have sent off for a copyof the MACR (Missing Air CrewReport) and a complete copy ofhis military personnel file.Based on the history of the455th Bomb Group, this was thegroup’s 85th mission.
Our family had alwayssaid Charles managed to get outof the belly turret, but stumbledtrying to get to the door.Apparently, Lt. Hiatt saw ithappen, since he was the solesurvivor. Another article I readindicated that one crew memberwas never found. Not surewhich one that was.
One thing the family hadalso said was that their aircraftwas hit by three Germanfighters. Also, there is anotherarticle in the Fall, 2006 CC thatshows the crash site of theiraircraft.
Sincerely,Donald E. [email protected]
(See response, next page)
11
Sgt. Charles Bingham
Final Flight
Robert L. Denton (743)Link to his obituary is:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=robert-denton&pid=170294791
Dear Don Stafford,I am so grateful for your
sending me this additionalinformation. Thanks toencouragement from EditorCraig Ward and others, I wasable to locate a copy of Flight of
the Vulgar Vultures, 1943-1945,
a History of the 455th Bomb
Group (H). Find it online at:
www.awardphp.com
This has been fascinatingreading. The chapter on TheFirst 100 Missions has beeninvaluable in reconstructing thesequence and details of thesemissions, especially for themonths of May, June, and July,1944. Reading this history, Ireally got a feel for the stressand intensity these brave "kids"endured. Tommy was only 20.
I wrote to the Departmentof the Army, U.S. Army HumanResources Command, 1600Spearhead Division Avenue,Fort Knox, Kentucky, 40122.They assembled for me a photocopy of the complete "IndividualDeceased Personnel File".
My younger brother,Stewart Bridgman, and I bothhave submitted DNA samples toaid in the identification process.Since the crew remains areinterred at Santa Fe in a groupgrave, there is the prospect ofclosure in getting final, exactidentification.
Recently, my brotherStewart wrote his poignantreflections on our receiving thegrim news back in 1944. Youmay find this of interest, so I'vecopied it here:
HAROLD T. BRIDGMAN, JR.(742)
By Stewart G. Bridgman
It was a hot afternoon atthe end of July, 1944. We livedin Cacy, West Columbia, SouthCarolina. Mom and Pop wereaway. Only Sis, Davie, and Iwere home.
I do not know what wewere doing to entertainourselves. I had just finishedsecond grade. The Christmasbefore, Aunt Lucile and UncleJimmy had given me acherished present: a redstamped steel car and trailer –the total length was somethinglike 18 inches. I could havebeen playing with that toy.
There was a knock onthe door. We all went to seewho it was. It was a woman thatlived two blocks away. Iremember she was thin, hadblack hair, and a one piecedress that was sort of white.She had a telegram for us. Ithas been accidently deliveredto her instead of to us.
Telegrams in the days ofWWII meant only one thing:bad news. At that time, my twooldest brothers, Arthur LeslieBridgman and Harold ThomasBridgman, Jr. were both inservice in the European theater.Arthur was a grunt in the army,and Tommy was a navigator ona B-24. We did not open thetelegram, but the impendingdoom of bad news was enoughto make Sis start cryinganxiously.
Thankfully, that womanstayed with us until Mom andPop returned. I never knew hername, but in my thoughts since
then she has always been anangel. She did her best tocomfort us while we waited forMom and Pop to return.
The telegram reportedthat Tommy was missing inaction, after a bombing mission.There was no more informationthan that.
Pop started cranking onour party line telephone. Hehad to stand to speak into themouth piece with the ear pieceon a line held up to his ear. Itwas difficult getting through toanyone who could give anyinformation. I remember Pop’svoice cracking as heoccasionally sobbed. It wouldbe years before the story wouldunfold of what happened thathorrid night in WWII
Tommy was born in 1923in Yancheng. KU, China. Thiswas the city where my parentsserved for 20 years beforeWWII. Pop was an evangelistgoing by house boat on thecanals that webbed through thatarea of China to preach towherever a crowd would gather.
Tommy was homeschooled by Mom, like the restof us, until he went toPyengyang Foreign School inwhat is now North Korea. Arthurgraduated there. When Tommywas a senior and Jack was asophomore, Pop wired money tothem in 1940 to go by trainthrough Manchuria andMongolia to Tsingtao, China, tocatch a ferry to Shanghai tomeet our evacuation ship.Tommy, Jack, Virginia Bell (BillyGraham’s sister-in-law) andanother female student took thattrip together.
12
It was a tough time asthey went through multipleJapanese lines. They werevaccinated four times for small-pox as they crossed nationalborders. They made it in thenick of time to Shanghai. Weboarded the USS Washingtonfor the trip to San Francisco inlate 1940. We encounteredmany stormy days with 75 footwaves. Tommy was a goodsailor, enjoyed it, and even tookpictures of it all.
Tommy graduated highschool in 1941. He went on toHampton Sydney College inFarmville, VA. where Arthur wasa student. He lasted one year.He then began an engineeringprogram at NC State.
When the bombing ofPearl Harbor came, Arthur wasabout to graduate. Tommy wasthe first to volunteer, left NCState, and went into the AirForce. He washed out of pilotschool, and went on to becomea navigator. Mom took the longhot bus trip to San Marcos, TXto pin his wings on. She wasthe last to see him.
He and his crew flew theB-24 White Christmas acrossthe Atlantic to North Africa, andthen up into Italy.
He almost had enoughbombing missions under his beltto get home leave when he andhis crew were assigned for onebombing mission to another B-24. They were flying at nightover Budapest, Hungary, whenthey developed engine trouble.
A Hungarian pilot shotthem down. The planedescended, burning furiously.The first to bail out according to
protocol was the bombardier.Because of the fire he wastemporarily blinded. Tommywas the next to bail out. It waslater reported that he was onfire, and that he either wentdown with the plane, or droppedto his death because hisparachute would have beendestroyed by the fire.
The Hungarian pilot latersaid he observed only oneparachute. All the rest of theeleven-member crew went downwith the plane.
The bombardier wascaptured, put in a hospital untilhis wounds healed, and was aprisoner of war until the end ofthe war in Europe. After the warPop was able to contact him andget the story.
During World War II, eachhouse that had someone in theservice hung a flag with a staron it in a window near the frontdoor. Our house had threestars, and because of Tommy,one of the stars was a goldcolor, instead of blue like theothers. Pop even had a lapelpin with three stars on it, one ofwhich was gold.
I have grieved for Tommyall my life. I have often had thefantasy that he had surviveddropping from the plane and hadamnesia. All I needed to dowas go to Budapest and find himand remind him who he was.
As the years havepassed, I have talked to anumber of people going toBudapest saying that if they sawanyone who looked like me to letme know. I wore Tommy’s twoofficer’s shirts that were part ofhis personal effects returned to
us. When I was in college theyfit me perfectly. I wore them out.
At the time of Tommy’sdeath, I saw a Western movie.In it, a man was shot and fellfrom a cliff. The angle of thecamera filming the fall was frombelow. It scared me to death.That was because it made methink of Tommy falling from thatB-24 to his death.
Since then, I have had aphobia of looking up from thestreet at tall buildings in cities. Ido not even like going to the topof tall buildings even though Ihave been to the top of theEmpire State Building.
There is now a grave,supposedly with the remains offour crew members, who couldnot be identified after the war.Tommy’s name is one of thefour.
Mom and Pop did not goto the internment of thoseremains in Santa Fe, NewMexico. However, a niece andher husband went there in 2008and have made a DVD of thesite, and what they had heard ofthe story of Tommy’s death. Thegrave marker has the date ofdeath as July 27, 1944.
The search goes on.Thank God there comes a daywhen all that is hidden will berevealed. We live in hope.
Gratefully,David Bridgman 3321 Ashmount DriveOrlando, FL [email protected]
13
Teach a child to be politeand courteous, and when hegrows up, he'll never be able tomerge his car onto the freeway.
14
455BG REUNION, OKC, 2014
Five bomb groups of the 15th Air Force formed up together in September, just as they used todo in the skies over southern Europe. This time the mission was to have fun and renew old memories.Over 200 attendees, veterans and their guests, represented the 455th Bomb Group (304th BombWing), the 376th Bomb Group (47th Bomb Wing), and the 451st, 461st, and 484th Bomb Groups (49thBomb Wing).
In addition to the tours advertised in our spring newsletter, numerous veterans spokethroughout Friday and Saturday. Each speaker highlighted a certain aspect of the heavy bombingoperations. Of special interest to some of us, we heard from those who never flew, but who did thebehind-the-scenes tasks which were typically unheralded, without which bombs would never havelanded on target. Of the many reunions I attended, I think this one offered the most complete pictureof what it took to be successful in Europe.
From the 455th, Thomas Boyd, tail gunner, told his story of bailing out over enemy territory andthe harrowing experience of evading capture and eventually being returned to Cerignola. OrmondBuffington shared some of his experiences as a flight engineer and top turret gunner. Both did anexcellent job and added to the understanding of those second, third, and fourth generation familymembers in attendance. It was a direct contribution of the purpose of the 455th Bomb GroupAssociation to keep the memory of the group's service and contributions alive.
In addition to renewing friendships within our own group members, it was also nice to meetveterans of the other bomb groups. Many experiences are very similar, and yet each one carries theindividual stamp of its owner. Together, all of these individual pieces help paint a more completepicture of what the veterans did for those of us who have enjoyed the freedoms they helped preserve.
Plans are under way now for another joint reunion next year in Kansas City. Look for detailedinformation in the spring edition of the Cerignola Connection, and plan to join us. Those who camethis year found it well worth the effort!
Submitted by: Greg Riggs, Executive Director, 455th Bomb Group Association, Inc.
Ormond Buffington, Flight Engineer in the 741stBomb Squadron, shares hisexperiences from WWII.
Carl and Barbara Stracka (743rd BombSquadron pilot) chat with Faron Thompson of the461st Bomb Group before dinner Saturday night.
Are Drones Better Than Manned Bombers ?
Drones will not be late to briefings, start fights at happy hour, destroy Officers Clubs, attempt toseduce others’ dates, purchase huge watches, insult other military services, sing "O'Leary's Balls,"dance on tables, yell "Show us your t--- !", or do all of the other things that we know win wars!"
15
The Vulgar Vulture was proudly ondisplay throughout the reunion.
Tom Boyd (741st Bomb Squadrontail gunner) visits with Bob Jones, whosegrandfather was shot down with Tom overenemy territory. Both evaded capture andreturned to the 455th.
Cerignola Connection editorCraig Ward, son of Lt. J. T. Ward(pilot, 740th Bomb Squadron), chatswith Louis Hoffman of the 451stBomb Group before dinner Saturdaynight.
John Rohrer, son of 455th veteranCarl Rohrer, and Group Historian, chatswith a couple from the 484th Bomb Group.
Ormond Buffington is pictured herewith granddaughter Meredith Sherrill andher guest, Jacob Miles, daughter LauraFlanagan, and granddaughter Emily Love.Rounding out the table are Barbara andCarl Stracka.
Achi Kazakis of the 451stBomb Group takes the initiative tospeak at area schools in Texas tohelp educate students about the warover Europe.
Dear Editor,I have been in contact
with Erling Kindem via yourgroup. What I am doing isworking on a future submissionto the magazine WORLD WARII QUARTERLY that haspreviously published mysubmissions.
This current project isabout how many Americanplanes the Luftwaffe capturedand flew.
The 762nd adds a tale ofthe Phantom B-24, and how,circa February, 1945, Tuskegeeairmen intercepted it andescorted it back to an Americanairbase.
Does anybody knowwhatever happened to themysterious B-24? How about anidentification of the Tuskegeeairmen who intercepted it?Would anyone know which airbase it was taken to?
Thank you.Stephen D. [email protected]
Dear Editor,Could you please ask
your readers for information onmy Uncle, James C. Williams.
His tombstone reads thathe died on the 26th of June,1944. I remember my fathertalking about Austria as wherehe went down.
He was from Georgia. Ibelieve he was a tail gunner.
Thank you.Sam [email protected]
Five simple rulesof Happiness
1. Free your heart from hatred -Forgive.2. Free your mind from worries -Most never happens.3. Live simply and appreciatewhat you have.4. Give more.5. Expect less from people, butmore from yourself.
16
Dear Editor,My name is Spencer
Fields, a Political Officer at U.S.Embassy Skopje in Macedonia,writing to inform you about aproject related to a downed B-24 Liberator Our Love (Airframe# 42-78240), which crashednear Vratnica, Macedonia, onAugust 26, 1944.
My mission has donequite a bit of research on thisaircraft and its crew.
We would like to create asmall memorial in the town ofVratnica to the bomber’s crew.
I thought that maybe yourorganization would beinterested in this because thebomber was from the 15th AirForce / 455th BG / 742ndSquadron.
Any information orassistance you can provideregarding this bomber or crewwould be appreciated. Pleaseemail me at the address below.
Very Respectfully,Spencer FieldsPolitical OfficerU.S. Embassy [email protected]
See attached magazine
article, following two pages
of this newsletter.
More of:
Men Are Just Happier People
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.You never have to drive to
another gas station restroom,because this one is just
too icky.
You don't have to stop andthink of which way to turn a nut
on a bolt.Same work, more pay.Wrinkles add character.Wedding dress $5000.
Tux rental-$100.People never stare at your
chest when you're talking tothem.
New shoes don't cut, blister, ormangle your feet.
One mood all the time.Phone conversations are over
in 30 seconds flat.You know stuff about tanks.A five-day vacation requires
only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.If someone forgets to invite
you, He or she can still be yourfriend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for athree-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are morethan enough.
Everything on your face staysits original color.
The same hairstyle lasts foryears, even decades.
You only have to shave yourface and neck.
17
18
Answers to question in Spring, 2014
Cerignola Connection:
Which was worse ...
fighters or flak?
Dear Editor,I flew nine missions at the
end of the war. Flak was thebiggest villain.
I am going to be 96 yearsof age in June, 2014.
Sid Schoengold (740)Navigator, Best We Do
Dear Editor,My dad told me that flak
was, by far, worse and morestressful than fighters for exactlythe reasons you site on Page 20of the Spring, 2014 Cerignola
Connection newsletter. My mom said that for
many years after they weremarried, dad would havenightmares about flak.
Norman CrumPresident, 455th BG [email protected]
Dear Editor,I have a photo of my dad
along with other crew members,and would like to know if there isa way to see if any of the crewmembers are still alive.
You are listed as thecontributor in the photo. Myfather was Charles P. Fisher,and he was ball gunner.
Any info you can providewould be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, Michelle Fisher [email protected]>>>> Photo at right >>>>>>>>
Requested Info: Above, Right
19
Dear Michelle,Your father was with the 742nd BS. Unfortunately, I don't
have any information on surviving crew. Here is the crew list for SWAMP ANGEL: B-24J-165-CO S/N 44-40499, 742st BS (aircraft also flew with741st BS at some point).
Standing (L-R)1st Lt Johnston M. Hart - Pilot2nd Lt Donald K. Fotheringham - Co-Pilot2nd Lt Chadbourne B. Smith - NavigatorF/O Horace G. Haley - Navigator
Kneeling (L-R)Sgt John K. Kilbane - Nose GunnerSgt Duane E. Kiesecker - Tail GunnerSgt Charles Fisher Jr. - Ball GunnerSgt Harland M. Gilman - Tail GunnerSgt Robert E. Demaline - EngineerSgt. Thurston M. Dawson - Radio Operator
Your father was also on HEAVEN CAN WAIT (B-24G-16-NTS/N 42-78355) when it was wrecked during a taxiing accident onNov. 1, 1944. They were on their way to the runway when theaircraft slipped off the strip, which was muddy, and into a drainageditch. No one was hurt, but the aircraft was too messed up to fix.
Warm Regards,Dave UngemachWarner Robins, [email protected]
Dear Editor Craig Ward,I got your email address
off a web page while searchingfor a picture of the B24 Bucket
o’ Bolts. This picture hung in myhouse when I was growing up,and I was told that my greatuncle Ward (Lt. J. T. Ward, 740,standing, second from left) flewit during World War II. Wardwas my fathers middle name,and is the middle name of one ofmy nephews.
Well, Craig, I guess myrelative in this picture is yourfather. As I understand it, he wasthe uncle of my father, PatrickWard Campbell.
My father's side of thefamily came from West Texas.Ward has become something ofa family name now, as one of mynephews now has the middlename Ward. I also seem toremember an audio tape of yourfather recounting some of hiswartime memories (somethingabout landing in North Africa isall I remember).
I just wanted to reach outto you, because that picture wassuch a staple of my childhoodmemory.
Best Regards,LTC Patrick R Campbell (Ret)
20
Editor’s Note:
I never cease to be amazed how much this wonderful tool,
called the Internet, has helped people find information on their
family histories.
A World War II fighter pilot, who spoke with a thick Irish accent, was reminiscing in front ofsome school children about his days in the Army Air Corps.
"In 1942," he says, "the situation was really tough. The Germans had a very strong air force. Iremember, " he continues, "one day I was protecting the bombers, and suddenly, out of the clouds,these fokkers appeared.”
At this point, several of the children giggle.“I looked up, and right above me was one of them. I aimed at him and shot him down. They were
swarming. I immediately realized that there was another fokker behind me."At this instant the girls in the auditorium start to giggle, and boys start to laugh. The teacher
stands up and says, "I think I should point out that 'Fokker' was the name of the German-Dutch aircraftcompany".
"That's true," says the pilot, "but these fokkers were flying Messerschmidts !"
21
Dear Editor,As a long-time reader of the Cerignola Connection, and a former member of the 741st going
back to Col Kenneth Cool, I thought our readers might enjoy a recollection of my final mission.Thank you for keeping the fond memories going.Sincerely,
Charles H. “Rosie” RosenbergFormer Captain (741)
22
Frank Hosmier in front of tent, with a “45” holstered.
Lt. Horace Redding (741). Thisphoto was taken the day before
he ditched in the Adriatic. Four crew lost.
455th BG ground crew. Names unknown.
Dear Editor,Ah, the Isle of Capri rest break. A reward for completing 25 missions. What a real contrast to
living in a tent at San Giovanni. A large, first-class luxury hotel. A room all to myself. Sheets changeddaily. Marble bath, two toilets, all the steak and lobster you could eat.
Then, back to the tents with four other guys. Army cot, sleeping bag, and half a steel drumburning gasoline to keep warm (burn only during the day, as using this heater at night would be toodangerous).
Ten more missions and everyone gets to go home.We left in December, 1944, and got home Christmas Day!
Frank G. Hosimer (741)221 Hayes Ave.Charleston, WV 25314-1026
See Frank’s photos below ----
#1 Co-pilot Smith#2 Pilot Don Bailey
Frank flew with Don Bailey his first 5 missions.
23
Harold Gales (741) Tail gunner. Photo taken 1990.Pointing to the name Ten Hits and a Miss,
painted on the Collings foundation B-24 that travels the USA airshow circuit.
741st officers on the boat to the Blue Grotto, lateSeptember, 1944.
Only 10 more missions, and it’s home !
Observations on Aging
Your kids are becoming you. Butyour grand-children are perfect!
Going out is good. Coming homeis better!
You forget names. But it's OKbecause other people forgot they evenknew you!!!
You realize you're never going tobe really good at anything --- especiallygolf.
The things you used to care todo, you no longer care to do, but youreally do care that you don't care to dothem anymore.
You sleep better on a loungechair with the TV blaring than in bed. It'scalled "pre-sleep".
You miss the days wheneverything worked with just an "ON" and"OFF" switch.
You tend to use more four- letterwords. "what?"..."when?"
Now that you can affordexpensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear itanywhere.
You notice everything they sell instores is "sleeveless".
What used to be freckles arenow liver spots.
Old is good in some things: OldSongs, Old movies, and best of all, OLDFRIENDS.
Stay well, OLD FRIENDS !
Anyone RememberThis Little Ditty ?
Oh, That B-24,Oh, that four-engined whore,
The men who fly in it are certain to lose,
At 55 inches,she won’t even cruise,
Oh, That B-24.
A MESSAGE FROM GREG RIGGS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE 455TH BOMB GROUP ASSOCIATION, INC.
The joint reunion of five 15th Air Force bomb groups in Oklahoma City is now history.Look for photos and the write-up elsewhere in this newsletter. Plans are now underway for a repeatperformance next fall in Kansas City. Look for registration information in the Spring 2015 CerignolaConnection.
We currently have 320 people on our mailing list. 188 of those are listed as surviving veterans;however, we continue to discover that many of our listed veterans have passed away and we were notnotified. I hope the number of 188 veterans is correct, but it is probably inflated. 101 of those on ourmailing list are widows of men who were life members at the time of their final flight. The rest are otherfamily members, plus a few special category recipients of our newsletter.
As of 31 August 2014, the 455th Bomb Group Association had a total of $5,338.10 TheCerignola Connection costs in the neighborhood of $2,200 a year to print, mail, and pay for forwardedand returned copies which were not deliverable. Beyond that, our next biggest regular expense is$128 annually for our post office box. Other miscellaneous expenses typically total less that $100 ayear.
In the spring newsletter, I invited feedback concerning the future distribution of our newsletter.Should we continue to print and mail it as we presently do, or should we go to a less expensive on-line distribution which would extend the number of years we could offer it? So far, I've received onlytwo specific responses, one for each option. However, several people have given an implicit nodtowards continuing the print version by donating to keep it in print.
Also, in the spring newsletter, I invited second-generation members to step forward andvolunteer to serve on the board of directors. So far, no one has taken that step, so I may be callingsome of you in the future. If you have an interest, please contact me at [email protected], orsend a note to P.O. Box 93095, Austin, TX 78709.
If you are one of the members who still pays your Association dues annually, don't forget thatdues for 2015 are due by December 31, 2014.
Thank you again for the history-changing efforts that you made which preserved our freedoms!
455th Bomb Group Assoc., Inc.P.O. Box 93095Austin, TX 78709-3095
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
NON PROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE
PAID
GREEN BAY WI
PERMIT 460