Mission 231 - 1

1Lt John W. Shupe

2Lt John C. Rhyne

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 23124 August 1944

Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant at Merseburg, GermanyCrews Dispatched: 39

Crewmembers Killed or Wounded: 1 crewman KIA

Length of Mission: 8 hours, 15 minutes

Bomb Load: 38 x 100 lb G.P. M30 bombs

Bombing Altitudes: 25,100, 24,950 & 24,500 ft

Ammo Fired: 40,820 rounds

Afrequent target, the oil plant at Merseburg was scheduled for another attack, muchto the dread of the assigned combat crews. Bombardiers dropped 1,324 100-lb.H.P. M30 bombs from 25,100, 24,950, and 24,500 ft. Visibility was excellent with

3/10 to 4/10 low clouds. The bombs hit a large area of the huge plant and started manyfires and explosions. One aircraft dropped 36 100-lb. G.P. bombs on the Kordhols airfieldas a target of opportunity.

From 20 to 25 enemy fighters were seen southeast of Hamburg and in the targetarea, but there were no attacks on 303rd BG(H) aircraft. Friendly fighter support was good.Anti-aircraft fire was very intense and accurate – probably the most ever encountered by303rd BG(H) crewmen. The lead and high Group aircraft sustained 19 major and 4 minorinstances of battle damage.

The 427BS lead B-17G #42-97691, had an exceptionally rough trip.Navigator 1Lt. John W. Shupe assisted Bombardier 1Lt. F.E.Umphress in locating the aiming point at Merseburg. Lt. Umphressnoticed blood from Lt. Shupe's arm spurting across the nose of theaircraft. Lt. Umphress continued his bomb run and released thebombs with excellent results. Lt. Shupe continued to point out checkpoints despite being in great pain and suffering from shock and lossof blood. He called the pilot, Capt. Robert W. Sheets, giving him thecompass heading for home, then lost consciousness. The bombardier

administered first aid and made Lt. Shupe as comfortable as possible. The lead crewstated that the excellent bombing results by the 41st CBW would not have been possiblewithout the help of the seriously wounded Lt. Shupe in pointing out check points in thetarget area.

Three low Group aircraft received major damage. Nine men in thereturning aircraft were wounded. The 359BS was hit especially hard. Twoaircraft were lost. 2Lt. John C. Rhyne, bombardier on #42-102496 SpecialDelivery, was killed in action by flak shrapnel. These were the first lossesin the last 65 missions of the 359BS – since 30 May.

Mission 231 - 2

Hillary Crew Memorial Plaque at the Mighty EighthAir Force Heritage Museum, Pooler, GA

JACK R. HILLARY CREW - 359th BS(crew assigned 359BS: 16 July 1944)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Jack R. Hillary (P), 2Lt William Robertson III (CP),2Lt John E. Rice (N), 2Lt Rocco DeFilippis (B)

(Front L-R) Sgt Neldon Reid Bishop (BT), S/Sgt George E. Paul (E),Sgt H. Sansum (WG), T/Sgt Eugene E. Girman (R), Sgt James R. Watson (TG)

#42-97291 Myasis Dragon, 359BS, piloted by 2Lt.Jack R. Hillary, suffered a direct hit in the bomb bayon the bomb run at 1205 hours. It peeled off andwent into a vertical dive. Only two parachutes wereseen. S/Sgt. Eugene E. Girman and Sgt. NeldonReid Bishop were picked up near the target andtaken to hospitals at Leipzig, Hohmalk, Menmigne,and Obermassfield. They then were at POW campsDulag Luft, Gross Tychow, Nurnberg and Moosburg.They were rescued on 29 April 1945 by the 14thArmored Division, were transported to Camp LuckyStrike and were shipped home on a Liberty ship.Jack R. Hillary, William Robertson, John Rice,Rocco DeFilippis, George E. Paul, James R.Watson and Harry R. Sansom were killed in action.

Mission 231 - 3

ORIGINAL TRUMAN K. ELDRIDGE CREW - 359th BS(crew assigned 359BS: 17 June 1944 - photo: 26 June 1944)

(Back L-R) Cpl Ralph T. Strong (BT), Sgt Andrew T. Panos (TG), S/Sgt Samuel A. Rowlett, Jr. (R),S/Sgt Frederick E. Barnes (E), Sgt LaFon Wesley (WG), Cpl Darwin D. Hopkins (WG)

(Front L-R) 2Lt Truman K. Eldridge (P), 2Lt James A. Durkin (N),2Lt Sanders H. Campbell (B), 2Lt Daniel J. Sheehan, Jr. (CP)

#42-97994 (No Name) PFF, 359BS piloted by 1Lt. Truman K. Eldridge, was hit byflak. It slid out of formation to the right with one engine burning badly, nosed over andwent down near Merseburg. Lt. Eldridge, 2Lt. Daniel J. Sheehan, Jr., 1Lt. William D.Carey, 2Lt. Lisle G. Saum, 1Lt. Loren F. Rawlings, T/Sgt. Frederick E. Barnes, T/Sgt.Samuel A. Rowlett, Jr., S/Sgt. Ralph T. Strong, S/Sgt. LaFon Wesley and S/Sgt. AndrewT. Panos were all captured and became POWs.

1Lt. Carl L. DuBose, Jr., was conducting a 1st pilot transition flight for 2Lt L.F. Drollin #44-6166 The Red, 427BS. While taxiing to the dispersal after landing, they both hit thebrakes to avoid hitting an English workman's bus parked on the right side of the taxi strip.Their B-17 nosed over damaging the chin turret and nose section. It then rocked backdamaging the tail surface when the tail wheel collapsed.

Mission 231 - 4

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group A

Sheets-C. Johnson691 - PFF

Caplinger Eldridge 060 994 - PFF

Bliss Hillary 666 291Healy Drewry Virag Gaines 099 885 496 309 Hamilton Cureton 411 027Davis Duncan 197 569

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group B

Lynch-Rosser574

Goering H. Johnson 238 739

Lee Altman 065 781Mayer Stark Lorentz Underdown 176 949 076 944 Freeland Paullin 200 298McConnell McCutcheon 186 8206

Two (2) aircraft aborted this mission:Lt. Underdown in 944Lt. Drewry in 885

Mission 231 - 5

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point - Group C

Wilson-Fontana629

Atwell Butler 930 329

Nafius Brabant 340 483Mehlhoff Hobbs Chance Gould 124 841 7206 830 Yarnall Shields 860 196Kuykendall Juns 893 187

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 GunnerNG - Nose GunnerRG - Radio GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - Gunner

VI - Voice InterpreterOBS - ObserverPAS - PassengerPHO - Photographer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in actionPOW - Prisoner of war

DOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyINT - Interned in neu cntryREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 231 - 6

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-38200 (No Name)

P Freeland, Troit D., 2LtCP Prudhoe, Louis J., 2LtNAV Kosta, Alexander, 2LtBOM Nugent, Robert F., 2LtENG Abernathy, Wylie C., S/SgtWG Moran, George J., SgtRO Wilson, Clarence K., S/SgtTG Dyszel, Bernard J., SgtBT Cerzosimo, Bernard P., Sgt

B-17G #42-97298 The Floose

P Paullin, James R., 2LtCP Hinton, William B., 2LtNAV Hunt, John W., Jr., 2LtBOM Simons, Robert A., 2LtENG Johnson, James P., S/SgtBT Biestek, Stanley H., SgtRO Thomas, Henry T., S/SgtWG Woodward, Thomas J., SgtTG Butler, Woodley O., Sgt

B-17G #42-31739 Pugnacious Peter

P Johnson, Hugh B., 2LtCP Seidel, Harry S., 2LtNAV Weber, George F., 2LtBOM Gorham, Raymond H., 2LtENG Edwards, Eugene F., T/SgtWG Blinebury, Joseph A., SgtRO Carter, Robert D., S/SgtTG Beck, Harold P., SgtBT Reimche, George K., Sgt

B-17G #42-97949 (No Name)

P Stark, Donald D., 1LtCP Rencher, Jack P., 2LtNAV Nelson, Richard G., 2LtBOM Townsend, Charles D., 1LtENG Batten, Delmer G., S/SgtRO Steinhagen, Joseph R., S/SgtTG Morrow, James C., SgtBT Richkind, Max, SgtWG Eggink, James H., Sgt

B-17G #43-38206 Silver Fox

P McCutcheon, George E., 2LtCP McGilvray, Richard L., 2LtNAV Starr, Ben, 2LtBOM Kiesel, Frederic T., 2LtENG Burcham, Johnnie O., S/SgtWG Foulk, Donald H., SgtRO Alexander, John C., S/SgtBT Aberdeen, James E., CplTG Kinsman, George R., Sgt

B-17G #43-38186 (No Name)

P McConnell, John, 2LtCP Thomas, Charles E., 2LtNAV Atwood, Thomas M., 2LtBOM Bennett, Robert W., 2LtENG Johnson, Jack M., S/SgtWG Schneider, Lawrence J., SgtRO Rego, Charles J., S/SgtTG Krebs, Henry R., SgtBT Rowe, Thomas M., S/Sgt

Mission 231 - 7

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

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

P Goering, Werner G., 2LtCP Conley, George L., 2LtNAV Markt, Rex H., F/OBOM Sachau, William D., 2LtENG Wagner, William H., S/SgtBT LaPerch, William J., SgtRO Brodzinski, Chester, SgtWG Houseman, Clarence W., SgtTG Mahan, Welson T., Sgt

B-17G #43-38065 Princess Pat 2

P Lee, Gareth G., 1LtCP Bowman, William E., F/ONAV Sweig, Morris, 2LtBOM Carloss, Earl W., 2LtENG Leimgruebler, Victor H., S/SgtWG Olive, Martin, SgtRO Adkinson, James E., S/SgtTG Newman, Gerald D., SgtBT Grundon, Joseph D., Sgt

B-17G #43-38176 Bouncing Betty II

P Mayer, Walter J., 2LtCP Gradle, Raymond B., 2LtNAV Hunt, Jackson H., 2LtBOM Rogers, Oron J., 2LtENG Hicks, Douglas E., S/SgtWG Withers, Frederick J., SgtRO Berrier, Edwin H., T/SgtBT Campbell, James M., SgtTG Gendron, Ernest J., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31574 Ole George

P Lynch, Robert J., CaptCP Rosser, Samuel E., 1LtNAV Larkworthy, Bernard J., 1LtNAV Metko, Earl D., 2LtBOM Ledbetter, Lamar E., 1LtENG O'Leary, James M., T/SgtBT Putney, Norman W., S/SgtRO Rowe, Ollice Z., T/SgtTG Douglass, Earl B., 2LtWG Foster, William D., S/Sgt

Mission 231 - 8

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-102496 Special Delivery

P Virag, Andy R., 2LtCP Beck, Edward R., 2LtNAV Harrison, Hertzel, 2LtBOM Rhyne, John C., Jr., 2Lt KIAENG Jeter, James E., Jr., S/SgtRO Vrabel, Cyril A., S/SgtBT Gurka, Stanley, Jr., SgtTG Bowman, John H., SgtWG Casperson, William J., Sgt

B-17G #42-97291 Myasis Dragon CR-L

P Hillary, Jack R., 2Lt KIACP Robertson, William III, 2Lt KIANAV Rice, John E., 2Lt KIABOM DeFilippis, Rocco, 2Lt KIAENG Paul, George E., S/Sgt KIARO Girman, Eugene E., S/Sgt POWBT Bishop, Neldon R., Sgt POWTG Watson, James R., Pvt KIAWG Sansom, Harry R., Sgt KIA

B-17G #44-6076 Liberty Run

P Lorentz, Arthur, 2LtCP Scott, Robert H., 2LtNAV Smith, William A., 2LtBOM Hewitt, LeRoy A., 2LtENG Kreager, Jon B., SgtRO Ringen, Walter E., SgtBT Ingalls, Earl F., CplTG Greenwald, Paul L., SgtWG Gonser, Dwight W., Cpl

B-17G #42-107206 Old Black Magic

P Chance, Arthur F., 2LtCP Johnson, Robert H., 2LtNAV McCarver, Eugene D., 2LtBOM Couch, William M., 2LtENG Menasco, Elmer W., SgtRO Miller, Albert, SgtBT Moss, Shirley L., CplTG Hejna, Dennis R., CplWG Torre, Leo A., Cpl

B-17G #42-97781 The '8' Ball MK III

P Altman, Maurice V., 2LtCP Zimmerman, Paul E., F/ONAV Donovan, James R., 2LtBOM Torley, Donald W., 2LtENG O'Leary, Dan R., S/SgtRO Whisman, Chester C., S/SgtBT Gray, William W., S/SgtTG Mulstein, John E., SgtWG Munn, Edwin C., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-31483 Bonnie B

P Brabant, Patrick H., 1LtCP Judy, Ira J., 2LtNAV Heatherly, Phillip P., 1LtBOM Reynolds, Ralph J., 2LtENG Hodge, Dana A., T/SgtRO Cohen, Seymour T., SgtBT Marquez, Robert P., S/SgtTG Millek, John P., S/SgtWG Valentine, Robert J., S/Sgt

Mission 231 - 9

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-6309 Duchess' Granddaughter

P Gaines, Edmund W., 2LtCP Bergeron, Arthur A., 2LtNAV Lewtas, Ralph A., 2LtBOM Cooney, Thomas E., 2LtENG Fragasso, Glenn, S/SgtRO Lawson, Lucien P., S/SgtBT Tisdale, Elmo O., CplTG Shrader, James F., SgtWG Heffran, James J., Cpl

B-17G #42-97994 - PFF - CR-L

P Eldridge, Truman K., 1Lt POWCP Sheehan, Daniel J., 2Lt POWMN Saum, Lisle G., 2Lt POWNAV Carey, William D., 1Lt POWBOM Rawlings, Loren F. POWENG Barnes, Frederick E., T/Sgt POWRO Rowlett, Samuel A., T/Sgt POWBT Strong, Ralph T., S/Sgt POWTG Panos, Andrew T., S/Sgt POWWG Wesley, LaFon, S/Sgt POW

B-17G #42-31830 Marie

P Gould, Graham C., 1LtCP Lasker, Yale, 2LtNAV Leigh, Thomas W., Jr., 2LtTOG Wolfe, Ralph E., S/SgtENG Davis, Eugene B., T/SgtRO Anderson, Augustus C., S/SgtBT Thompson, Val E., S/SgtTG Gloria, Tony N., SgtWG Bandy, Peter C., Sgt

B-17G #42-97944 Daddy's Delight

P Underdown, Sidney L., 2LtCP Knolle, William C., 2LtNAV Kenny, John P., 2LtBOM Tyree, Joseph C., 2LtENG Kuwik, John J., S/SgtRO Posada, Frank G., S/SgtBT Guptill, Walter R., SgtTG Stevens, Richard G., SgtWG Botton, Pius L., Sgt(Abortive)

Mission 231 - 10

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-37841 Banshee

P Hobbs, Willard, 1LtCP Huckins, Earl R., 2LtNAV Wade, Robert E., 2LtBOM Petree, Wendell R., T/SgtENG Cole, Bethel A., S/SgtRO Wiggans, Earl E., SgtBT Bibik, James J., SgtTG Glaser, Morris B., SgtWG Callahan, Fred, Sgt

B-17G #43-37930 (No Name)

P Atwell, Arley L., 2LtCP Howard, Victor L., 2LtNAV Woodbury, Benton R., 2LtBOM Hudson, Ward A., S/SgtENG Girard, Louis P., S/SgtRO Jennings, Ralph T., T/SgtBT Watson, Judson F., S/SgtTG Northam, James B., S/SgtWG Donohoe, Thomas D., Sgt

B-17G #42-97187 Miss Umbriago

P Juns, Frank, 2LtCP Beasley, Roland C., 2LtNAV Harding, Warren G., 2LtBOM Thomas, Edward H., 2LtENG Finnell, Calvin E., S/SgtRO Wimer, Maurice H., SgtBT Oberly, Eldridge C., SgtTG Englis, Hiram E., CplWG Branin, James J., Cpl

B-17G #42-97860 (No Name)

P Yarnall, Winfield L., 1LtCP Bertich, Louis A., 2LtNAV Britter, Harry B., 2LtBOM Howald, Hans, S/SgtENG Fidares, Anthony, S/SgtRO Baker, Albert W., S/SgtBT Taxon, Rubin, SgtTG Birenbach, Melvin, SgtWG Di Salvo, Dominick, Sgt

B-17G #42-107196 Temptress

P Shields, Edward F., 2LtCP Cooter, William M., 2LtNAV Mundell, William K., F/OBOM Lee, Wilbur W., 2LtENG Nagel, Leeland J., S/SgtRO Dennerle, Almo W., S/SgtBT Horwitz, Charles, SgtTG Skubal, Joseph J., SgtWG Sheehan, Arthur E., Jr., Sgt

B-17G #42-97893 Minnie the Moocher

P Kuykendall, Roger L., 1LtCP Norris, Loy R., 2LtNAV Klein, Norman M., 2LtBOM Rape, Sylvester H., 2LtENG Evans, Harry D., S/SgtBT Boone, Everett D., SgtRO Barton, Forrest E., S/SgtTG Alexander, John P., SgtWG Dubin, Martin M., Sgt

Mission 231 - 11

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #44-6124 (No Name)

P Mehlhoff, Arthur R., 2LtCP Nelson, Edgar H., 2LtNAV Williams, Gaylon C., 2LtBOM Newcomb, Harry F., Jr., F/OENG Wagner, Donald L., S/SgtRO Thye, Norman W., S/SgtBT Keeran, Elwood R., SgtTG Quackenbush, Benjamin V., SgtWG Harms, Vernon H., Sgt

B-17G #42-31340 Miss Liberty

P Nafius, Verner H., 1LtCP Smith, Richard L., 2LtNAV George, Sidney L., 2LtBOM Cummins, James E., 2LtENG Ellis, Richard R., S/SgtRO Birkenholz, Irving, S/SgtBT McGinley, James E., S/SgtTG Jinkens, Billy B., S/SgtWG Rydquist, Roy K., S/Sgt

B-17G #42-97329 Flak Hack

P Butler, Milton C., 1LtCP Lovell, Brook H., 2LtNAV Hackler, Maurice G., 2LtBOM Holden, John E., 2LtENG Bird, Harry G., SgtRO Christ, Donald R., SgtBT Waltmire, Harrel A., S/SgtTG Johnson, David T., Jr., SgtWG Peterson, Robert E., Sgt

B-17G #43-37629 (No Name)

P Wilson, William M., 1LtCP Fontana, Bernard C., 1LtNAV Blumenthal, Robert, 2LtBOM Blythe, Robert W., 1LtENG Asplund, Carll L., T/SgtRO Means, Robert D., T/SgtBT Case, Donald G., S/SgtTG Sauer, George N., S/SgtWG Sabuda, Emil S., S/SgtWG Frederick, Lee W., S/Sgt

Mission 231 - 12

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #43-37666 Full House

P Bliss, Robert P., 1LtCP Morrow, John E., 2LtNAV Sumbur, Simon, 1LtBOM Keese, Thomas R., 1LtTT Shumar, Carl K., SgtBT Eakins, Charles A, Jr., SgtRO Herman, Benjamin, SgtTG Plesinger, Michael J., SgtWG Curry, Richard L., Sgt

B-17G #42-102569 Miss Lace

P Duncan, Thomas A., 1Lt CP Singleton, Daniel H., 2LtNAV Byrne, D.A., 2LtT Muzyka, Myron M., S/SgtTT Dietrich, Francis H., S/SgtBT Ralph, William L., Sgt RO Murphy, William O., SgtTG Chalcroft, Charles P., S/SgtWG Smith, Orphus, Jr., Sgt

B-17G #42-32027 Betty Jane

P Cureton, Peter F., Jr., 1Lt CP Ackerman, Stewart S., Jr, 2LtNAV Ulrich, Carl L., 2LtBOM Drew, William F., 2LtTT Willison, Warren, S/SgtBT Burford, Joseph A., Sgt RO Ellis, James A., S/SgtTG Grove, John W., SgtWG Celichowski, Ervin M., Sgt

B-17G #42-107099 Old 99

P Healy, Richard F., 1LtCP Smith, Donald R., 2LtNAV Stuart, Norman L., 2LtT Henry, Donivan D., SgtTT Robertson, Joseph J., T/SgtBT Leal, Raymond T., T/SgtRO Smith, Phillip E., S/SgtTG Whitlow, Zane O., SgtWG DeLiso, Vincent A., Sgt

B-17G #42-102411 Miss Lace

P Hamilton, Max B., 1LtCP Newman, Vernon V., 2LtNAV Emmet, John P., 2LtBOM Ziesche, Charles W., 2LtTT Barnes, Charlie, S/SgtBT Miller, Robert D., S/SgtRO Jarvis, Robert F., S/SgtTG Coleman, Warren M., SgtWG Butler, Edward B., S/Sgt

B-17G #43-38197 (No Name)

P Davis, Robert W., 2LtCP Sayre, Dorwin D., 2LtNAV Martin, Walter E., F/OBOM Bryan, Fred W., F/OTT Smith, Leonard C., S/SgtBT Johnson, Charles H., SgtRO Pope, Lester L., SgtTG Haines, James W., S/SgtWG Smirnes, E. "Nick", Jr., Sgt

Mission 231 - 13

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists - Cont'd.

B-17G #42-39885 Sweet Rose O'Grady

P Drewry, James A., 2LtCP Schneider, Richard H., 2LtNAV Mayo, Archie W., 2LtBOM Burke, James D., 2LtTT Dorrah, Walter R., S/SgtBT Morin, Donald P., S/Sgt RO Nash, Leslie G., SgtTG Fidell, Frederick C., SgtWG Koch, Edwin H., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31060 Poque Ma Hone

P Caplinger, Auston O., 2LtCP Spruner, Donald L., 2LtNAV Katz, Edwin Harold, 2Lt BOM Bober, Stanley, 2LtTT Toth, Ernest, SgtBT Jacobs, Carroll W., Jr., SgtRO Mittell, Philip P., SgtTG Holen, Theodore J., SgtWG Olds, Andrew R., Sgt

B-17G #42-97691 - PFF

P Sheets, Robert W., CaptP Johnson, Charles E., Jr., 1LtNAV Shupe, John W., 1Lt WIANAV Desmond, MacChesney, 1LtNAV Tollack, Howard V., 2LtBOM Umphress, F.E., Jr., 1LtTT Alston, Madison I., T/SgtRO Yonge, Walter C., S/SgtWG Conlan, Thomas J., T/SgtTG Lawrenson, George C., 2LtWG Hollritt, Alfred K., S/Sgt