Guestbook Archive

- Page 19 -


R.L.Wakefield AFM/Vol (jfhsRWakefie@mdeca.org)
Tuesday, 4 April 2000 at 11:06am

Proud to stand as an American and proclaim the Honor and Pride of the 91rst! Thank you men. As I told Gen Davis on his visit to the museum. "your sacrifice will be accounted for as long as I have breath." You have a great site. I will visit often.


Gregory Norwood (gnorwood@aol.com)
Monday, 3 April 2000 at 4:25pm

As the son of a member of the 91st, I want to thank all of you for your gallantry and sacrifice. In America today some still remember what what was given then so that we may enjoy what we have today.
My father was TSgt Ellsworth (Mike) Norwood. He flew as at top turret gunner/flight engineer in the 91st. during 1943 and 1944. He as passed on but I remember him speaking of some of this crew. The names I remember are Edward P. Kita, Cliff M Schultz, and Andrew E. Faccio. I know that a lot of time has passed but if anyone has any information regarding my dad or the other members of his crew, I would greatly appreciate you passing it on to me.

Sincerely.
G. Norwood


Edward B. Williams (edwbwill@aol.com)
Sunday, 2 April 2000 at 6:24pm

Sunday,02April00

At the time the 91st and its comrade groups were flying those terribly dangerous missions over Europe, 1942-1945, I was a ten year old boy in a small South Carolina town while my dad served with the SeaBees in the Pacific theater of ops. They were momentous times and certainly some of the most important in the history of this great country. They made a great impression upon me.
Right after the war, back in Texas once more, my parent's neighbors included a young couple, Ed and Tommy Garner. Ed (actually his first name is Harry, but I always knew him as Ed)had been a thirty-five mission pilot in the 91st. He always displayed an admirable modesty and never would talk about his
wartime experiences beyond praising the aerodynamics of the Boeing B-17.
Since military history is my thing, I read recently Gerald Astor's MIGHTY EIGHTH, and it brought back some memories. After being out of touch for many years and without much trouble, I was able to locate Ed and Tommy living what sounds like an idyllic life in a really beautiful part of East Texas. My timing was right; he had just finished writing up a brief account of his experiences in the ETO and he was kind enough to let me have a copy. After all these years, now I know the "rest of the story."
In a note to me, Ed said he thought his notes were bland and of little interest to anyone.Well, just let me say, they may
be bland to some who are not interested in such things, but to those of us who are interested and have, at least a small inkling of what you guys went through, they are facinating.
The point to be made here is that all of you should take the time to sit down and write an account of your experiences in the ETO. It doesn't make any difference how brief or how routine the experiences, they should be recorded. I've visited the "MIGHTY EIGHTH," website and they request such memoirs be submitted for addition to their archives. Don't leave it undone!
You guys are an important part of our military history and need to be remembered as an important part of our history.
Best regards,
Edw. B. Williams
P.S. My wife and I plan to visit the Mighty Eighth Museum near Savannah later this year and also the Imperial Air War Museum at Duxford in September/October. There's at least two, and I'm sure many more out there, that revere the memory of your contributions to bringing WWII to successful conclusion.


Roberto Valadares Caiafa (valadares@brfree.com.br)
Sunday, 2 April 2000 at 10:33am

Muito boa a page....Considero a coragem dos tripulantes da 8º no minimo igual a coragem dos alemães que decolaram para enfrentar estes montros de metal e suas escoltas.....Independente do que faça o governo americano, seus guerreiros são, acima de tudo, americanos mesmo, de linhagem.......Meus respeitos aos mortos em combate........Go to www.jambock.com


Joe Pletta (tpletta@clear.lakes.com)
Sunday, 2 April 2000 at 10:28am

My name is Joe Pletta 324th Sq out of Bassingbourn. Bombardier in the "Just Right" and "Mary Kay" mostly. I looking for information and to contact LT Lyle (Ray) Morgan from the 324th Sq he was the pilot of the "Just Right" when we went over from the States. Phone # 623-214-7806 or email my son Ted Pletta. Also looking for any pictures of these two mentioned planes. Thank You


Brandon (ronin_501@hotmail.com)
Saturday, 1 April 2000 at 11:01pm

Does any one have any pictures of the crew of the Winnie Frank Joe? If any one does can yu PLEASE E-mail me back


Charles E Walker
Wednesday, 29 March 2000 at 12:05pm

I flew most of my missions in Sherries Cherries anybody familiar with any of the other crew members? I was waist gunner 401st it was crewed by A Lt Ferris and his crew when it went down in Nov 44. Also flew with Hal DeBolt when we went down on Meresberg mission that same Nov the one they called Ghost Plane.when it landed on auto pilot after we had all bailed out. It landed near Cortonberg Belgium we were spread out over someplace south of Leige Bel Been trying to find out exactly where. I recall bunch of Greenhouses and a Castle near by.


Christopher S. Johnson (csjohnson@aol.com)
Tuesday, 28 March 2000 at 10:08am

This is a wonderful website, thank you so much for sharing with us and your service. I am currently looking for information on 42-31367, LG-R, "Chow Hound", lost S. of Caen 8/8/44. In studying the 91st, I have developed a keen interest in this ship. I have written to some of the members of the 91st, including Julian Murdock-367's crew chief, but most have not responded and information was limited. I have a copy of the MACR, and information from Rodger Bowman's book. I would be interested in a mission log (flew 76 missions), crew's (there were three assigned), maintenance history (50+ w/out abort), and any stories involving the aircraft & crews. This information is to satisfy my own curiosity, and I would appreciate any assistance. Thank you again! Chris


EUGENE H SELL (esell@ptd.net)
Monday, 27 March 2000 at 6:59am

HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR A GREAT SITE-

I AM LOOKING FOR A CREW PHOTO OF "REBELS REVENGE" ON WHICH MY UNCLE SSGT WAS A BT GUNNER TO COMPLETE MY RESEARCH-
AIRCRAFT # 4229750 OR L 323RD BOMB SQDN BASSINGBOURN
THE SHIP WENT DOWN ON 9/27/43 AFTER COMPLETING A MISSION TO EMDEN
THERE WERE 3 MISSIONS PRIOR TO 9/27/43- THEY WERE ON 9/15/43 TO ROMILLY-- 9/16/43 TO NANTES AND ONE MISSION ON AIRCRAFT 639
"CAREFUL VIRGIN" 9/26/43 TO MEULAN-

PILOT 2ND LT JOHN M PERRITT ARCADIA LA
COPILOT 2ND LT EUGENE V HILL WABAN MA
BOMBARDIER 2ND LT RIGHARD F HULL DENVER CO
ENGINEER SSGT WILLIAM J GOLDEN NEWARK NJ
ASST ENG TSGT HARRY L STOKES REW PA
RADIO OPER TSGT EDGAR G FETTY JR DIAMOND OH
ASST RO SSGT JAMES W SAMPLE LONGSTREET LA
NAVIGATOR 2ND LT FRANK O ROLFE HUNTSVILLE AL
GUNNER SSGT CHARLES H OLIVER SAVANNAH MO
BT GUNNER SSGT RAYMOND H SELL BETHLEHEM PA

APPRECIATE ANYONE WHO CAN PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WHO CAN HELP GETTING THIS PHOTO

THANK YOU
EUGENE H SELL
NEPHEW OF RAYMOND


Mark Vollmer (mvollmer@sendit.nodak.edu)
Friday, 24 March 2000 at 10:19am

My Uncle, Earl West, 37-285-179 was a waist gunner on the "Yankee Dandy", and was shot down over Kassel, Germany on July 30, 1943.

He was part of the 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Bomb Squadron. He was based out of Bassingborn, England, Station 121 - Part of Wray's Ragged Irregulars.

8 crew members survived and were captured: The are:

1/LT Robert M Miles - Pilot
2/LT Harold T. Holden - Co-Pilot
2/LT Robert L. Bru - Navigator
2/Lt Erwin Feld - Bombadier
T/Sgt. James H. Parris - Engineer
T/Sgt. Frank Phaneuf - radio operator
S/Sgt. Chester P. Lawless - turrett gun
S/Sgt. Sanley C. Chmielewski - Tail

My Uncle Earl West and Tail Gunner Frederick J. Maynard was shot and killed. Remaining Crew Members bailed out and were captured by the Germans.

Desperatly looking for survivors, or anyone who may have known Uncle Earl. This is very important for his family, and especially his oldest sister, who is now 91 years old.

thank you

Mark Vollmer