325th Fighter Group

"The Checkertail Clan"

Honor Roll 325th Fighter Group Mar 1943- Oct 1946

Revised 26 June 2010

Page compiled from:

Missing Air Crew Reports

USAF Serial Number Search

American Battle Monuments Commission

AAIR Database Search

325th FG Unit Inventory for the North American P-51 Mustang (With deep Thanks to  Dwayne M. Tabatt)

The World War II Diary of Dennis M. Parker

Final Destination Slovakia

Wartime Aerial Victory Credits

Special Thanks to Art Fiedler for all his patient help

 

MACR# Date   Serial# A/C Type  Pilot Service# Sqdn Group AF Status Details/Comments
. 8 Oct 41 41-13464 Curtiss P-40C Gingras, George D Jr, O-417610 33PS ICB . . Ground loops Reykjavik Field, ICE, later serves as CO, 318FS, 325FG. Plane later to reclamation at Robbins, GA Nov 28, 1944
. 20 Jun 42 40-437 Curtiss P-40E Hearn, Bunn Jr  O-659706 . . . . Incident at Rentschler Field, CT . USA. He later flew with HQ Squadron 325FG. Plane later to reclamation at Kirtland Jun 16, 1945 (Hearn, Bunn Jr, b. 04/16/1916, d. 11/29/1984, LTC USAF, Plot: 6 1255, bur. 11/30/1984, Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico)
. 26 Aug 42 41-36511 Curtiss P-40E-1 Matuch, George Jr. O-433563 . 325FG ? . . Incident Bedford, MA, USA. Plane later wrecked in takeoff accident at Gila Bend AAF, AZ Dec 7, 1943 while being flown by pilot from Chinese AF
. 1 Sept 42 41-13713 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Matuch, George Jr. O-433563 . . . . Incident Bedford, MA, USA. Plane later wrecked at Grenier Field, New Hampshire when overshot landing Dec 10, 1942
. 11 Sept 42 41-14194 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Hearn, Bunn Jr  O-659706 . . . . Incident at Waterbury, CT, while stationed at Bolling Field, DC , he later flew with HQ Squadron 325FG. Plane later surveyed at Eagle Pass AAF, TX Jul 26, 1943.
. 29 Sept 42 41-14186 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Marsh, Robert A . 317FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Naragansett Bay, RI  Plane wrecked at Hillsgrove, RI Sep 29, 1942
. 3 Oct 42 41-14189 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Goulait, Bert J O-349111 319FS 325FG BDW . (BDW, Boston Defense Wing) Based out of Rentschler Field, CT . Incident at Rentschler Field, CT  Plane was surveyed at Moore AAF, TX Oct 6, 1944
. 6 Oct 42 41-13426 Curtiss P-40C Gingras, George D Jr, O-417610 33PS ICB . . Incident at Reykjavik Field, ICE, later serves as CO, 318FS, 325FG. Plane surveyed in USA Jul 4, 1944
. 12 Oct 42 42-4339 Bell P-39K-1-BE Airacobra Green, Herschel H O-659656 . . . . Incident Patterson Field, OH . USA
Difference in dates are due to when the report was written ? 12 Oct 42 41-14099 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Mayo, Watkins (SSgt) 18036438 317FS 325FG . DNB Hometown: Briscoe County, TX. Cat 5 damage based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at Norwood, MA Plane condemned at Hillsgrove AAF, RI Oct 11, 1942
. 17 Oct 42 41-14196 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Bryant, W A  . 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later to RFC at Ponca City, OK May 5, 1945
. 22 Oct 42 41-14193 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Moon Albert J T-186062 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident at Hillsgrove AAF, RI  Plane was surveyed at Moore AAF, TX Oct 3, 1943
. 25 Oct 42 41-14196 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Hesler, Paul M Jr T-186055 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later to RFC at Ponca City, OK May 5, 1945
. 29 Oct 42 41-13997 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Horvath, Edward  O-411045 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove, RI . Plane later to RFC at Ontario, CA Apr 18, 1945
. 29 Oct 42 41-14188 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Rauth, John F . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident at Hillsgrove AAF, RI  Plane was surveyed at Spence AAF, TX Jun 1,1944
. 2 Nov 42 41-14183 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Smallsreed, John W.   T-186048 319FS 325FG . . Incident Hillsgrove, RI, USA. Plane later surveyed at Moore AAF Aug 20, 1943
. 7 Nov 42 41-14062 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Lott, William M O-665035 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later to CL-26 at Moore AAF, TX Mar 17, 1943
. 10 Nov 42 41-24794 Curtiss P-40E-1 Donovan, Alzie D T-186043 317FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was (ET118, c/n 18813) remained in USA and converted to Class 26 after crash landing Nov 10, 1942 at Hillgrove Field, RI.
. 11 Nov 42 41-14181 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Grove, James R . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident at Bridgeport, CT  Plane was to RFC at TP-49F at Ontario, CA Feb 9, 1945
. 13 Nov 42 41-14077 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Rich, Irving W . 318FS 325FG . W/o ? Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane wrecked at Hillsgrove AF, RI Nov 14, 1942
. 14 Nov 42 41-13853 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Williamson, Letcher S  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident at New Bedford, MA   Plane was to DPC at Bush Field, GA as P-40R Mar 20, 1945
Difference in dates are due to when the report was written ? 19 Nov 42 41-13817 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Cooley, Harry T . 319FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident at Portsmouth, RI   Plane was to CL-26 at Windsor Locks Nov 18,1942
. 20 Nov 42 41-14177 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Smallsreed, John W.   T-186048 319FS 325FG . . Incident Hillsgrove, RI, USA. Plane later to RFC at Ponca City, OK Apr 20, 1945
. 28 Nov 42 41-14187 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Johnson, Thomas B . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was to RFC at Ponca City, OK Apr 10, 1945
. 28 Nov 42 41-24962 Curtiss P-40E-1 Eyerley, Harry E O-665770 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was (ET286) retained in USA. Crashed on landing at Hillgrove, RI Dec 1, 1942. Repaired, off Jul 30, 1944
. 28 Nov 42 41-13718 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Johnson, John C A  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at Martha's Vineyard, MA Plane later to RFC at Ponca City, OK as TP-40F Apr 9, 1945
. 29 Nov 42 40-395 Curtiss P-40E Parent, Edmund A  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was to reclamation Oct 2, 1945.
. 30 Nov 42 41-36510 Curtiss P-40E-1 Crawford, Hugh D  . 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was condemned at Westover Field Jan 11, 1943
. 30 Nov 42 41-13997 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Gonda, John E T-186054 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later to RFC at Ontario, CA Apr 18, 1945
. 1 Dec 42 41-13699 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Hesler, Paul M Jr T-186055 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later wrecked 35 mi WNW of Luke Field, AZ in midair Apr 19, 1943
. 3 Dec 42 40-432 Curtiss P-40E Walker, Walter B Jr  O-791792 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was surveyed Nov 7, 1943
. 3 Dec 42 41-36500 Curtiss P-40E-1 Reed, William R O-430942 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI .. Plane was (EV246) retained in USA. Salvaged at Yuma, AZ Nov 10, 1943
. 3 Dec 42 41-14194 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Rauth, John F  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at   Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Plane later surveyed at Eagle Pass AAF, TX Jul 26, 1943
. 4 Dec 42 41-13704 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Gonda, John E T-186054 318FS 325FG . . Incident at Grenier Field, NH Plane later surveyed at Foster Field Apr 25, 1944
. 6 Dec 42 41-14095 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Cook, Howard T T-186039 318FS 325FG . W/o Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Grafton Arpt, MA . Plane to CL-26 at Manchester, NH Dec 11, 1942
. 6 Dec 42 41-24976 Curtiss P-40E-1 . . 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (ET300) retained in USA. Involved in accidental gun blast while firing guns Dec 6, 1942 at Hillgrove AAB, RI.
. 7 Dec 42 41-25020 Curtiss P-40E-1 Momberger, William H . 317FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (ET344) retained in USA. Crashed Westover, MA Dec 7, 1942
. 7 Dec 42 41-14521 Curtiss P-40F-10-CU Warhawk Murray, Arthur  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at   Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Plane later crashed and burned SW of Luke AAF, AZ Aug 26, 1943
. 10 Dec 42 41-13713 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Heyboer, William W . 318FS 325FG . W/o Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Grafton Arpt, MA . Plane wrecked at Grenier Field, New Hampshire when overshot landing Dec 10, 1942
. 10 Dec 42 41-13761 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Watkins, John C A  O-418408 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred Hillsgrove AAF, RI Plane later to reclamation/scrap at Ypsilanti, MI Jun 29, 1945
. 12 Dec 42 41-25039 Curtiss P-40E-1 Jones, Edwin P

T-186057

then O-2056050

 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (ET363) retained in USA. Crash-landed on strip Dec 12, 1942 at Hillgrove AAB, RI. Later crashed 40 mi NE of Luke AAB Sep 16, 1943. Pilot killed.
. 14 Dec 42 41-24976 Curtiss P-40E-1 Eyerley, Harry E O-665770 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (ET300) retained in USA. Involved in accidental gun blast while firing guns Dec 6, 1942 at Hillgrove AAB, RI.
. 14 Dec 42 41-24783 Curtiss P-40E-1 Gingras, George D Jr  O-417610 318FS 325FG . . Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Portsmouth, RI  . Plane was (ET107, c/n 18802) remained in USA and salvaged Apr 5, 1942.
. 15 Dec 42 41-13781 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Walton, Edward B A . 318FS 325FG . . Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Grenier Field, NH . Plane later to reclamation/scrap at Tyndall Field Jul 14, 1945
. 15 Dec 42 41-24791 Curtiss P-40E-1 Rauth, John F . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at   Hillsgrove AAF, RI . Plane was (ET115, c/n 18810) remained in USA and salvaged May 14, 1942.
. 19 Dec 42 41-14100 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Bryant, Keith L O-659656 318FS 325FG . . Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Grenier Field, NH . Plane later surveyed at Luke AAF Sep 17 1943
. 19 Dec 42 41-19779 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk Beck, James E  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at   Martha's Vineyard, MA  . No further details on the plane
. 19 Dec 42 40-406 Curtiss P-40E Andridge, Herbert W Jr  O-664492 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI  Plane later to RFC at McKellar Field, Tn Feb 21, 1945.
. 19 Dec 42 40-435 Curtiss P-40E Poole, James I  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI  Plane later surveyed at Luke Field Mar 21, 1944
. 22 Dec 42 41-36510 Curtiss P-40E-1 Judge, Gart J Jr  . 317FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was condemned at Westover Field Jan 11, 1943
. 24 Dec 42 40-406 Curtiss P-40E Murray, Arthur  . 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred at Hillsgrove AAF, RI  Plane later to RFC at McKellar Field, Tn Feb 21, 1945.
. 27 Dec 42 41-36504 Curtiss P-40E-1 Radovich, Walter V . 317FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (EV250) retained in USA. Collided with another aircraft on takeoff at Hillgrove AAB, RI Dec 27, 1942.
. 27 Dec 42 41-38801 Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder Reed, William R  O-430942 317FS 325FG . W/o Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI .  Plane was (c/n 245) to RAF as Argus I EV737 (HM201 subsequently allocated but NTU). Not delivered to RAF
. 27 Dec 42 41-14143 Curtiss P-40F Warhawk Mc Keithen, Archie J  T-186060 318FS 325FG . . Based at Grenier Field, NH Incident at Grenier Field, NH . Plane later surveyed at Foster Field, TX Sep 23, 1944
. 27 Dec 42 41-5547 Curtiss P-40E Watkins, John C A  O-418408 319FS 325FG . . Based out of Hillsgrove AAF, RI  incident occurred Hillsgrove AAF, RI Plane later to CL-26 Oct 16, 1942

1943

MACR# Date Serial# A/C Type  Pilot Service# Sqdn Group AF Status Comments
. 7 Jan 43 . . . . . . . . On January 7, 1943 seventy two new P-40Fs were taxied through town down main street to Norfolk, VA Naval Air Station and hoisted, with the pilot still in the cockpit,  aboard the aircraft carrier  USS Ranger
. 19 Jan 43 41-19952 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Austin, Gordon H O-020161 319FS 325FG . Com manding Officer leads 72, P-40 off the USS Ranger After eleven days on the cold Atlantic, they were within range of the final destination, Cazes Aerodrome near Casablanca. The planes took off from the carrier USS Ranger (CV-4), 19 Jan 43.  squadron by squadron with the 319th last.
. 19 Jan 43 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG . . CO of the Group leads the 325FG off the USS Ranger they all take off ok landing at Casablanca
. 23 Jan 43 . . North African Training Command . . 325FG . . When the pilots landed at Cazes they stayed there until January 23rd and then were sent to Mediouna. The next day they flew protective cover for President Roosevelt's party and the following day flew to Tafaraoui to join the others who had arrived a few days earlier.
  31 Jan 43 42-10368 Curtiss P-40K-15-CU Warhawk Blifford, Francis S. J. O-667775 306FS 338FG . . Incident Alligator Point Gun Rng, FL, USA. He is later KIA 24 Jun 43 with 318FS, 325FG. Plane later wrecked Mar 29, 1943 Bendhaven, FL and w/o.
. 11 Feb 43 . . Gingras, George D Jr, CO 318FS O-417610 318FS 325FG 12AF DNB Hometown: (Bakersfield,) Kern, CA Mid air collision
. 24 Feb 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . Transfers to Oran
. 3 Mar 43 41-14425 Curtiss P-40F-10-CU Warhawk Crawford, Hugh D . 317FS 325FG 12AF . Ground looped, Orleansville, Algeria, condemned inventory Jul 8, 1944
. 6 Mar 43 41-19737 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk McKeithen, Archie J T-186060 318FS 325FG 12AF . Forced landing due to engine failure, Fleurue , Algeria, 
. 10 Mar 43 41-19876 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk Muller, Joseph T O-665851 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Hometown: Philadelphia County, PA Mid air collision, hit ground during gunnery practice Saurce Blanche, Algeria
. 11 Mar 43 41-14326 Curtiss P-40F-5-CU Warhawk Engle, Charles R T-186053 318FS 325FG 12AF . Mid air collision with a bird, Tafaraoui, Algeria, plane was condemned salvage Jun 6, 1943
. 15 Mar 43 41-14313 Curtiss P-40F-5-CU Warhawk Housel, Charles D Jr O-665796 319FS 325FG 12AF . Take off accident, Tafaraoui, Algeria, plane to excess inventory list Jul 22, 1944
. . 41-19841 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk Information only . 317FS 325FG 12AF . White 34 used in Tunisia spring 1943
. 15 Mar 43 41-19935 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Grove, James R . 319FS 325FG 12AF . Take off accident, Tafaraoui, Algeria
See 20 Jul 43, MACR 450 20 Mar 43 41-19973 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Gibson, Robert W . 317FS 325FG 12AF . Badly damaged in a forced landing due to engine fire, Tafaraoui, Algeria Original member of 316FS, 324FG
. 21 Mar 43 41-20040 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Horvath, Edward O-411045 317FS 325FG 12AF DNB Pilot killed in crash, plane destroyed, Messerghin, Algeria
. 23 Mar 43 41-19933 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Parent, Edmund A . 319FS 325FG 12AF . Plane badly damaged in take off accident, Tafaraoui AB, Algeria
. 7 Apr 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . Transfers to Montesque, Algeria
. 7 Apr 43 . Montesquieu Air Base, Algeria . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . By 15 April 1943, the 325th Fighter Group (two squadrons) and the 320th Bomb Group were installed on the field situated on the outskirts of an Arab village, and consisting of East – West and North-South runways hemmed in by hills at an elevation of 3800 feet.
. 7 Apr 43 . . Matuch, George Jr. O-433563 . 325FG 12AF POW North African Theatre: Tunisia, Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11) The 318th Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group with P-40F's transfers from Tafaraoui, Algeria to Montesquieu, Algeria. Prior service with 60FS, 33FG
. 17 Apr 43 . Montesquieu Air Base, Algeria . . 319FS 325FG 12AF . 319th flew on its first combat mission, against the Mateur Airfield.
. 17 Apr 43 . . Cook, Howard T T-186039 318FS 325FG 12AF S/d, B/o Claims 1 victory One plane was lost due to enemy fighters, but Flight Officer Howard Cook bailed out successfully after receiving an eye wound and after destroying one (1) Me-109, - the first victory for the 325th Fighter Group. He was shot down by Me-109
. 17 Apr 43 . . Lipsey, William C., Corporal 34279738 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Mississippi, Buried at: Plot F Row 8 Grave 1, North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia
. 6 May 43 . . Burns, Harmon E O-659657 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory. Ju 52/3m
. 6 May 43 . . Collins, Frank J "Spot" O-664528 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, Bf-109 landing
. 19 May 43 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory Bf-109 escorting B-26 on a bombing mission over Dacimomanna Airdrome
. 19 May 43 42-10436 (Not confirmed) Plane was scrapped after returning to base Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory Bf-109 escorting B-26 on a bombing mission over Dacimomanna Airdrome Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 19 May 43 . . Bloomer, Joseph A Jr O-789294 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 May 43 42-10476 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk (White 89 "Belva") Smallsreed, John W T-186048 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, his plane condemned crashed May 28, 1943
. 19 May 43 . . Smith, Ebert W T-186049 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 May 43 42-10436 (Not confirmed) Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk.  Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 12AF . Flew his first combat mission on May 19, 1943, off the Italian coast, and shot down a BF-109. He was flying P-40 number 13, which was badly damaged, and the plane was later hauled away. He was assigned to P-40 number 11, a number he kept and transferred to his P-47 and P-51. A few days after his first combat mission on May 19, he was promoted to Captain. While flying the P-40, he shot down a total of three enemy aircraft. It  looks like Taylor's and Green's were the same plane, a P-40L . Carl Molesworth's book on P-40 MTO aces says Taylor took it over after it was shot-up when flown by Green (serial given as 42-10436, ); in May it wouldn't have had the tail checks (added July) but had serial in yellow on the tail. Standard dark earth-middle stone-azure blue finish probably with red spinner , white "13". Early bar-less insignia and radio mast ( it was a long-fuselage "L" ). No known nose-art  but Taylor named it "Duchess of Durham IV ".. Later in 1943, 210436 flew with the 324FG as " 11 " and checks painted out. Still with the name but several "touch-ups" .
. 19 May 43 . . Brown, Charles R.  O-664511 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Nebraska, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
. 19 May 43 . . Housel, Charles D., Jr. O-665796 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
Plane not confirmed as the one he was flying that day 20 May 43 42-10664 Curtiss P-40L-5-CU Warhawk (White 44, named "Lighthouse Louie" Austin, Gordon H O-020161 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, Mission #28, Me-323 Pilot later went on to Command a B-26 unit. His plane went to excess inventory list Aug 26, 1944
. 20 May 43 . . Burns, Harmon E O-659657 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . Campbell, David D T-186035 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . Crossley, Harold H O-789304 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . Lott, William M O-665835 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . McDaniel, Arthur T O-665842 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . McKeithen, Archie J T-186060 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 . . Tuchsen, John E O-793561 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 May 43 42-10476 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk (White 89 "Belva") Smallsreed, John W T-186048 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, his plane condemned crashed May 28, 1943
. 21 May 43 . . Hamilton, Frank W O-659702 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 21 May 43 . . Palmer, John P T-186064 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 21 May 43 . . Reed, William R O-430942 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 May 43 . . . . 317FS 325FG 12AF KIA On 26 May the squadron suffered its first loss in combat. While the planes were returning from a mission, one of our pilots was forced to make a landing in the sea. Within a few minutes he was seen in a life raft which had been dropped to him by another P-40. Later reports revealed that Air Sea Rescue had been reached, and that the pilot had been spotted and licked up by a seaplane, but that it had crashed attempting to take off after the rescue had been completed and all personnel aboard were lost.
. 27 May 43 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 May 43 . . Catlin, Richard L T-186037 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 May 43 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
First loss in combat 317FS 27 May 43 . . Hemphill, William R.  O-792117 317FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Tennessee, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. After escorting bombers to Decimomannu,  Flight Officer Dick Catlin circled him and dropped a life raft, while reporting his position to Air Sea Rescue. Hemphill managed to board the raft and an RAF Walrus landed to pick him up. The Walrus however crashed on take-off, sinking almost immediately with the loss of all onboard.
. 27 May 43 . . Howe, Everett B O-397399 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 May 43 . . Boone, Mark P T-186031 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 May 43 42-10476 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk (White 89 "Belva") Smallsreed, John W T-186048 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, his plane condemned crashed May 28, 1943
. 28 May 43 . . Cunningham Bruce T-186041 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 May 43 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 28 May 43 . . Lancaster, Rayburn D O-664200 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 May 43 42-10476 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk (White 89 "Belva") Smallsreed, John W.   T-186048 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 1 Jun 43 . . Johnson, Victor L. O-728673 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, California, Buried at: Plot F Row 4 Grave 18, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 2 Jun 43 . Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . On 2 June 1943, the 318th Fighter Squadron moved from Montesquieu to Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia. This was a temporary field to be occupied for only two (2) weeks.
. 6 Jun 43 . Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia . . 319FS 325FG 12AF .  Montesquieu to Souk-el-Khemis, Tunisia. 
. 6 Jun 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . Approximate time frame that Capt John C A Watkins, O-418408,  asked Gen Spaaz for the use of the Checkertail
. 6 Jun 43 . . Bloomer, Joseph A Jr O-789294 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, mission #50
. 6 Jun 43 . . Brown, Lewis E T-186033 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 43 . . Campbell, David D T-186035 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 43 . . Engle, Charles R T-186053 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 43 . . Prevatt, Otis E Jr T-186068 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 6 Jun 43 . Mission # 50, bombing Pantelleria Island, 41 victories, 11 losses to date . . . 325FS 12AF . 318FS account for 5 ME-109, 319FS claims 1 ME-109 South West of Pantelleria Island. They may have been up against 25 ME-109 from II/JG27. Tactical missions against Pantelleria continued and after the 60th mission the big scoreboard read 41 victories, 11 losses, 1342 sorties
. 10 Jun 43 41-19893 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk (White 40 "Trixie") Bloomer, Joseph A Jr O-789294 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory over Pantelleria
. 10 Jun 43 . . Taylor, Ralph Gordon Jr "Zack" O-668629 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories, he also had service with 57FG
. 10 Jun 43 41-14512 Curtiss P-40F-10-CU Warhawk Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 12AF . Plane usually assigned to this pilot is condemned on this date Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 15 Jun 43 . . Burns, Harmon E O-659657 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Jun 43 . . Penny, Warren F O-668629 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Jun 43 . . Rodgers, Robert H O-793674 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Jun 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . Bizerte, Tunisa, 80 missions,59 Victories, 20 losses
. 19 Jun 43 . Mateur . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . On 19 June 1943, when news was received that the unit was to move northeast to Mateur, no man was sorry. The new base at Mateur was situated just Southwest of Lake Achkel, separated from the lake by hill "508", which, though actually several miles distant, appeared to rise abruptly from the edge of the field.
. 19 Jun 43 . Mateur Airfield #2 . . 319FS 325FG 12AF .  The new base at Mateur was situated just Southwest of Lake Achkel, separated from the lake by hill "508", which, though actually several miles distant, appeared to rise abruptly from the edge of the field.
. 24 Jun 43 . . Boone, Mark P T-186031 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
454 he is mentioned in MACR 440 24 Jun 43 42-10479 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Blifford, Francis S. J. O-667775 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, New Jersey, Buried at: Plot D Row 13 Grave 30, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
. 24 Jun 43 . . Hearn, Bunn Jr O-659706 HQ 325FG 12AF MIA, Rtn Named as witness in MACR 2571 30 Jan 1944, page 6
. 24 Jun 43 . . Hogg, Roy B O-794232 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Jun 43 . . Lancaster, Rayburn D O-664200 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Jun 43 . . Slatterly, Bill H

T-186089 later 

O-2056053

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
447 24 Jun 43 41-19347, Douglas A-20C Havoc, is listed on MACR think it should be 41-19947 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Rappman, Rufus C.   O-794498 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, Approximately 60-Miles South Of Cape Spartivento, Sardenia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Entered the Service from, New York, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
453 he is mentioned in MACR 440 24 Jun 43 41-19916 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk Bollich, Andrew L O-792841 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Hometown: St. Landry Parish, LA. Killed over Island of Sardinia
. 28 Jun 43 . . Austin, Gordon H O-020161 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 43 41-14512 Curtiss P-40F-10-CU Warhawk Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
449 28 Jun 43 42-11102 Curtiss P-40L-20-CU Warhawk Mierzejewski, Roman   O-668610 317FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, Iglesias, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Entered the Service from, Massachusetts, Buried at: Plot D Row 9 Grave 30, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Purple Heart
. 28 Jun 43 . . McKeithen, Archie J T-186060 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 43 . . Sangermano, Philip

T-061586 later

O-1691694

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. ?? Jul 43 . . Thompson, Thomas B O-664612 319FS 325FG 12AF POW/Rtn North African Theatre: Tunisia, Camp CC 21 Chieti Italy 42-14. Lt. Thomas B. Johnson and F/O James E. Beck, both listed as missing in action, later escaped from a German prison camp in Italy with confirmation of Major Howe’s safety.
432 3 Jul 43 42-10434 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Bryant, Keith L O-659656 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, 3-Miles South Pula, Sardinia, Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Hometown: Harrison County, MO
. 7 Jul 43 . . Brundydge Henry H O-427343 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Jul 43 . . Cunningham Bruce T-186041 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Jul 43 . . Huntington, Clifford T-186085 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Jul 43 . . Penny, Warren F O-668629 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Jul 43 . . Walker, Walter Bertram Jr O-791172 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
451 7 Jul 43 42-11046 Curtiss P-40L-20-CU Warhawk Casselberry, Donald E T-186036 . 325FG 12AF POW Location, North Of Milo Trafany Airport Sicily. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. North African Theatre: Sicily. Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. . 42-10463 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Taylor, Ralph G. "Zack" Jr O-659772 317FS 325FG 12AF   Flown by Cpt. Ralph G. "Zack" Taylor, white 12, flown by him in Aug 43, condemned inventory Jul 8, 1944 (may be 'Duchess of Durham '. Ralph 'Zack' Taylor Jr. of the 317th FS, 325th FG named all of his aircraft 'Duchess of Durham'. He transferred into the 325th from the 57th FG  Plane later served with 314FS, 324FG as personal mount of Capt Bruce E Hunt as White 11
. 10 Jul 43 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Jul 43 . . Walker, Walter Bertram Jr O-791172 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Jul 43 . . Taylor, Ralph Gordon Jr O-668629 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 57FG
448 10 Jul 43 41-19984 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk . . . 325FG 12AF MIA Sicily
. 10 Jul 43 . . Reed . 317FS 325FG 12AF S/d Rtn Shot down over the Mediterranean, Capt. Reed, the Squadron Commander, failed to return from a mission. 16 days later, Capt. Reed was on his way back, safe and uninjured.
. 13 Jul 43 . . Dove, Donald G O-790468 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jul 43 . . Hesler, Paul M Jr T-186055 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
Mentioned in 440, page 6 20 Jul 43 MACR refers to 41-35145 MACR refers to Martin B-26C-20-MO Marauder Dickas, George H. FOD date 21 Jul 44 T-186056 317FS 325FG 12AF . Location, Villa Literno, Italy. Point Of Departure, El Bathan
. 20 Jul 43 . . Brundydge Henry H O-427343 317FS 325FG 12AF   Claims 1 victory
. 20 Jul 43 . . Jones, Edwin P

T-186057 later 

O- 2056050

 317FS 325FG 12AF   Claims 1 victory
. 20 Jul 43 42-10436 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk (White 13 "Duchess of Durham IV/My Gal Sal") Taylor, Ralph Gordon Jr "Zack" O-668629 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 3 victories, he also had service with 57FG, this plane condemned crash Jul 15, 1944
. 20 Jul 43 . . Warden, Donald E  O-659778 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
450 20 Jul 43 41-19973 Curtiss P-40F-20-CU Warhawk Dickas, George H. FOD date 21 Jul 44 T-186056 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Auglaize County, OH. Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart. Location, Northeast Of Decimomannu, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia
Mentioned in 450, pages 5 & 6 20 Jul 43 . . Donovan, Alzie D T-186043 317FS 325FG 12AF MIA .
. 22 Jul 43 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
452 22 Jul 43 42-10887 Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk Boone, Mark P T-186031 318FS 325FG 12AF MIA/FOD date 23 Jul 44 Location, Over Airdrome East Of Oristano, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia
. 22 Jul 43 . . Copsey, Richard V O-736124 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, near Cagliari, Sardinia
. 22 Jul 43 . . Gerken, Gilbert W O-668567 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories, near Cagliari, Sardinia
. 22 Jul 43 . . Gonda, John E T-186054 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, near Cagliari, Sardinia
. 22 Jul 43 . . Howe, Everett B O-397399 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories, near Cagliari, Sardinia
. 22 Jul 43 . . McKeithen, Archie J T-186060 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories, near Cagliari, Sardinia
446 22 Jul 43 42-10475 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Miller, Hubert M. O-794343 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, Over Aridrome East Of Oristano, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Entered the Service from, Wisconsin, Buried at: Plot E Row 9 Grave 51, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
. 22 Jul 43 . . Moon, Albert J T-186062 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 22 Jul 43 . . Prevatt, Otis E Jr T-186068 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Jul 43 . . Slatterly, Bill H

T-186089 later 

O-2056053

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Jul 43 , , Rauth, John F . 319FS 325FG 12AF S/d Shot down on 33rd mission, 23 July, ‘43 off coast of Sicily, picked up and taken prisoner by Italians, who later surrendered to F.0. Rauth. (35, in fact, Made all papers as Sgt. York of Air Corps). Returned to finish 46 missions in P-40. Drew Commission out of Hat in Oct., assembled Jug's at Casablanca, checked out and flew them to Tunisia, where we trained until we moved to Foggia, Italy in December.
. 25 Jul 43 . . Sangermano, Philip

O-1691694

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 26 Jul 43 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 43 . . Brown, Lewis E T-186033 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 43 . . Maret, Paul L Jr T-186059 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 43 42-10866 Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk (White 59, "Big Helen III") Watkins, John C A O-418408 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, his  Crew Chief was  Sgt Misenheimer
. 26 Jul 43 . . Whiteside, Philip C O-736438 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jul 43 . . Crossley, Harold H O-789304 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jul 43 . . Smith, Ebert W T-186049 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 28 Jul 43 . . Hogg, Roy B O-794232 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jul 43 . . Pomerantz, William

O-807602

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jul 43 . . Slatterly, Bill H

O-2056053

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
525  28 Jul 43 42-10558, Curtiss P-40L-5-CU Warhawk.  JB has plane , to RAF as Kittyhawk II FS411. Transferred to French AF Mar 31, 1945, (325th FG) also listed as lost Jul 28, 1943. MACR 525 MACR 525 gives serial as 42-10958, Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk Howe, Everett B. O-397399 319FS 325FG 12AF POW Location, Southwest Of Cagliari, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. North African Theatre: Sardinia, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, On the 101st mission flown by the 325th Group the 319th lost is Commanding Officer, Major Howe. His plane was hit by flak and he was forced to bail out eight miles west of Capoterra. Circling planes saw him land safely and wave to them. 319FS 101 mission
. 30 Jul 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . Units first DUC, In the book P-51 Mustang by Gardner Hatch and Frank Winter there is mention of a big aerial battle between 36, P-40 and some 50 Me-109 with 24 enemy aircraft claimed for one loss. (Mentioned below are 3, P-40, shot down and one pilot returned)
. 30 Jul 43 . . Carroll, Neil C O-661281 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Dean, Cecil Oree T-106044 later O-1703099 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Donovan, Alzie D T-186043 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 30 Jul 43 . . Everley, Harry E O-665770 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jul 43 . . Hamilton, Georgie C O-672609 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Huntington, Clifford T-186085 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jul 43 . . Jones, Edwin P

O- 2056050

 317FS 325FG 12AF   Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Mock, Richard H O-668612 317FS 325FG 12AF   Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Reed, William R O-430942 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
431 30 Jul 43 42-10898 Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk Sederberg, Robert S O-664668 317FS 325FG 12AF POW Claims 1 victory, Bf-109. Lt. Sederberg was last seen engaged in combat with 5 Me-109s. Many months later he was reported a prisoner of war in Germany.. Location, Over Center Of Bay Of Oristano, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. North African Theatre: Sardinia. Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated.
. 30 Jul 43 . . Staley, George C Jr O-377424 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 . . Tudor, William T T-186031 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 43 41-19896 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk (White 25) Walker, Walter Bertram Jr "Bud" O-791172 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 3 victories
. 30 Jul 43 . . Warden, Donald E  O-659778 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jul 43 . . Hearn, Bunn Jr O-659706 HQ 325FG 12AF MIA, Rtn Named as witness in MACR 2571 30 Jan 1944, page 6
. 30 Jul 43 . . Eyerley, Harry E see below O-665770 317FS 325FG 12AF KIA

Was born in Haughton, Louisiana in 1917. He was a railway mail clerk before entering military service in 1942. On January 6, 1943, he departed for North Africa, where he was assigned to the 325th Fighter Group. He was killed in action on July 30, 1943. Other sources have date of death as Thursday, August 26, 1943, Awards Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 31 Jul 43 . . Pomerantz, William

O-807602

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 31 Jul 43 . . Sangermano, Philip

O-1691694

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 3 victories
507 2 Aug 43  41-19908 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk McKeithen, Archie J.   T-186060 318FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, 20-Miles South Of Cagliari, Sardinia. Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Entered the Service from, Louisiana, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 5 Aug 43 . . . . 319FS 325FG 12AF . 3 pilots sink a sub with 50 calibre fire (Only one I have found to date is U-34. Commander Aust. Collision with Ger. sub-tender Lech (refloated Aug. 1943) Off Memel)
. 7 Aug 43 . . Bloomer, Joseph A Jr O-789294 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 43 . . Maret, Paul L Jr T-186059 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug 43 . . Copsey, Richard V.  Jr. O-736124 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Nebraska, Buried at: Plot G Row 7 Grave 3, North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 23 Aug 43 . . Pomerantz, William

O-807602

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
.

23 Aug

43

 . . Sangermano, Philip

O-1691694

 318FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
526 25 Aug 43 MACR lists 41-18597,Douglas C-47-DL, I think it should be  41-19897 or 42-10898 Curtiss P-40F-15-CU Warhawk Eyerley, Harry E.  O-665770 317FS 325FG 12AF KIA Location, 3/4 Mile Southwest Lunce Sardinia Point Of Departure, Mateur, Tunisia. Entered the Service from, Pennsylvania, Buried at: Plot F Row 12 Grave 54, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 28 Aug 43 . . Brundydge Henry H O-427343 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Aug 43 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory. On 28 August, Lt. Collins shot down his fifth Me-109 to become the first Ace in the squadron.
. 28 Aug 43 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 28 Aug  43 . . Palmer, John P T-186064 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Aug  43 . . Owen, Daniel H O-796187 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Aug  43 42-10866 Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk (White 59, "Big Helen III") Watkins, John C A O-418408 HQ 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory, 1 German 1 Italian. Crew Chief Sgt Misenheimer
470 31 Aug 43 42-29636 Boeing B-17F-65-BO Fortress Olson, Vernon E., Sgt ( I do not know if he has a connection to 325FG) 19016153 . . . POW Location, Turned South At 50°07' N 02°02' E. Point Of Departure, Molesworth. European Theatre: France, Stalag 17B Braunau Gneikendorf Near Krems Austria 48-15
Not confirmed 325FG 18 Sep 43 42-10448 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk . . . . . . Plane condemned crashed Sep 18, 1943
. 22 Sep 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . It was around this time frame when P-38s of the 14FG mistakenly attacked P-40s of the 325FG, Maj Robert Lee Baseler, CO, 325FG, jumped into the 325FG captured Bf-109 flew to what he thought was the 14FG base and scattered the troops there. Later that night he was awoken by Col Garmin of the 1FG and chewed out because it was the 1FG base that had be buzzed
. 22 Sep 43 42-10435 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Daggett, Glen H . 319FS 325FG 12AF . Plane badly damaged in landing accident, Le Kroub AAB, Tunisia, he was an original member of 316FS, 324FG
. 22 Sep 43 . Transition from P-40 to P-47 . . 317FS 325FG 12AF . 22 September 1943 when it flew its last mission with P-40s. Shortly afterward the squadron was assigned P-47s and men were dispatched to Casablanca, Algiers, and Bizerte to assemble the new aircraft. Soon after receiving the P-47s the rainy season began, causing the squadron to cease operational training at Mateur.. On clear days training missions were greatly intensified to regain the lost time. Our stay in Mateur was on the whole rather dull and uneventful, Mateur offering little in the way of fun and entertainment for the men.
. Oct 43 . Transition from P-40 to P-47 . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . No lengthy description of this undertaking is deemed necessary, but a few highlights should be recorded. Most of the work, accomplished in a combat zone, was carried out by personnel of the squadron. Assembling, familiarization and maintenance were tasks accomplished by men of the unit with little outside help. Pilots, many of whom were new, began training flights from Mateur and continued until fall rains made the dirt runways unserviceable.
. 11 Oct 43 . Transition from P-40 to P-47 Baseler, Robert L . 319FS 325FG 12AF . Training operations were begun with the new P-47 type aircraft in October, the first P-47 having been flown to the Mateur field by Colonel Baseler on 11 October. Because of intermittent and heavy rains continually interrupting the training schedule with possibilities of planes being bogged down for an indefinite period, the squadron began its move to the Soliman A/D, the last permanent base and in many ways the most agreeable base in Africa. The move was begun on 4 November and by 7 November training operations had been resumed.
. 6 Oct 43 . . Andridge, Herbert W O-664492 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Oct 43 . . Ritter, Lawrence J O-791146 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Oct 43 . . Rusher, Kenneth R O-664665 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 17 Oct 43 . . Bradshaw, Lawrence T.  O-802982 319FS 325FG 12AF KIA Entered the Service from, Illinois, Buried at: Plot D Row 19 Grave 2, North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia
. 24 Oct 43 . . . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . Sunday October 24, 1943 - Mateur, The field here is pretty good and is near hill "509" which is pretty high.  We are attached to the 325th fighter group, 318th squadron. Up until a couple of weeks ago this group flew P-40's but now they are switching over to P-47's. Most of the pilots that were here when we arrived are just checking out in the P-47's. The 325th has the best record in this theater of war so I'm in a good outfit. The C.O. of the 318th is Captain Garret. The whole area around here is littered with scrapped German planes, guns, etc ...
. 31 Oct 43 . . Kearns . 319FS 325FG 12AF MIA Lt. Kearns who is now with the 319th got lost today and hadn't shown up even after the movie.
. 4 Nov 43 . Soliman, Tunisia . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . On 4 November 1943, the 318th began moving from Mateur to Soliman, Tunisia. This field, with a hard surface runway, was situated approximately eighteen (18) miles Northeast of Tunis. By 7 November, the move was complete.
. 4 Nov 43 . Soliman, Tunisia . . 319FS 325FG 12AF . Soliman A/D, the last permanent base and in many ways the most agreeable base in Africa. The move was begun on 4 November and by 7 November training operations had been resumed.
. 4 Nov 43 . . Beck, James E T-186030 319FS 325FG 12AF POW/Rtn North African Theatre: Italy, Camp CC 21 Chieti Italy 42-14. Lt. Thomas B. Johnson and F/O James E. Beck, both listed as missing in action, later escaped from a German prison camp in Italy with confirmation of Major Howe’s safety.
. 5 Nov 43 . Rain had turned Mateur into mud. . . . 325FG 12AF . Friday November 5, 1943 - Soliman, The ride from Mateur to Tunis was interesting as the road was very crowded all the way. Tunis is a big place and a lot like Casablanca. We arrived at our new base at 13:00 and immediately put up our tent. The new field has concrete runways so we should be able to get flying again.
. 5 Nov 43 . . . . 317FS 325FG 12AF . On 5 November the squadron moved to a landing field on Cape Bon, about 16 miles from Tunis. Here with improved weather, the squadron continued its training in P-47s
. 7 Nov 43 . . Quinn  . . 325FG 12AF . Lt. Quinn found an unexploded 20mm shell. He stuck it in a sand bank and fired at it with a rifle. He hit it and a piece of shrapnel flew back and hit him in the eye. There's a good possibility that he's lost his eyesight. It's a wonder no one has been killed around here.
. 15 Nov 43 . . Walker, Frank E ? O-668671 317FS 325FG 12AF . Lt. Walker cracked up a plane today on his first flight. He missed the runway in landing and flipped the plane over in the mud. He was unhurt although he did look like hell as he got a mud bath. This business of dragging in from three miles off on the approach is no good.
. 21 Nov 43 . .. . . 317FS 325FG 12AF . Eight ships from the 317th belly-landed near Oran. According to the rumors now going around the mission that our pilots went on was an escort job for a couple of DC-3's. Evidently the DC's had some VIP's aboard or else - they wouldn't have the escort especially here in Africa. Some believe that Roosevelt and Churchill are meeting with Stalin in or about Turkey.
. 23 Nov 43 44-15476 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Reid, Robert F O-710759 317FS 325FG 12AF   Landing accident, Lesina AF, Italy. Lesina, Italy, was the site of a 325th Fighter Group Base during WWII. Lesina is just west of the "Spur" of the country's boot-shaped shore (on the east/Adriatic side of Italy). The town is on the shore of a fairly large and shallow body of water called Lake Lesina, which is only separated from the Adriatic Sea by a very narrow strip of land. Latitude: 41°51'24.05"N
Longitude: 15°18'11.47"E
. 26 Nov 43   . Quinn      325FG 12AF   Lt. Quinn came back from the hospital today. He's going to try to get a job in the group as they want to send him back to the states.  While Lt. Bryant (Possibly W. A. Bryant) was out on the escort mission he had a seizure of some sort one night. That will finish his army flying career too.  Suehle and I were informed today that we are to leave tomorrow for Casablanca. We're going to pick up a couple new P-47's and fly them back to Tunis
. 30 Nov 43 . . . . . 325FG 12AF . We have ten P-47's here in all but only eight of them are ready to go today. We intended to leave Casablanca at 11:30 but the weather reports weren't so hot so we didn't take off until 13:30. We have belly tanks on the planes so we had a good three and one-half hours of gas. After we left Casablanca we climbed to 10,000 ft to clear the mountains. The valleys were all filled with fog. After we cleared the mountains the ground was still covered with an overcast at 2000 ft so we couldn't see any of the ground. We didn't dare to let down through the stuff for fear of hitting a mountain. Finally we contacted the Oran homing station and they gave us a vector to Oran. So we landed in Oran and spent the night. Oran is a fixed base and it is set up very well. I really enjoyed sleeping on a mattress again.
. 2 Dec 43 . Foggia Main the squadron moved to another Foggia base, just ten miles north of the city after only a few days . . 317FS 325FG 12AF . On 2 December the ground echelon proceeded to Bizerte where they were to await transportation to Italy by boat. A week later the air echelon left Solimon for Foggia Main, an airdrome just outside Foggia, arriving there late the same day. After several days at Foggia Main the squadron moved to another Foggia base, just ten miles north of the city.
. 9 Dec 43 . Foggia Main. . . 319FS 325FG 12AF . The long awaited move to Italy was begun on 30 November when an advanced echelon left Soliman to prepare a bivouac area at Bizerte where the ground echelon was to await transportation. An air echelon, transported in C-47s, arrived at the Foggia Main Airdrome on 9 December. Meanwhile, the ground echelon personnel had been separated into two groups, one to leave Bizerte on 12 December and land at Taranto, Italy on the 17th while the remaining group was to leave Bizerte on 24 December and dock at Naples on the 27th. From their respective debarkation points these two groups completed the move to Foggia Main by train and truck.
. 14 Dec 43 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . Foggia, Italy, Our group went on it's first combat mission since our arrival in Italy. None of us "new sports" got in on it as they are trying to get the "old sports" finished so that they can go back to the states. Capt. Lott now has 49 missions and so he needs just one more. The mission was a short one and so no belly tanks were used. They flew to Greece and escorted the B-17's back.
. 15 Dec 43 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . The 325th flew it's second combat mission since switching to P-47's today. Again the show was for the "old" pilots as none of us new guys went along with the exception of Strain. The mission was an escort job to Venice. It was a long trip and belly tanks were used . There were no attacks by German fighters although a few ME-109's were sighted.
. 23 Dec 43 . . Seneften . 317FS 325FG 15AF B/o

Foggia, Italy

Lt's Seneften and Sayer of the 317th had a mid-air collision today. Sayer was killed when his parachute failed to open. Seneften bailed out okay but he's now very nervous

. 23 Dec 43 . Not confirmed Sayer, John W O-433408 317FS 325FG 15AF DNB Lt Sayer, 317FS, 325FG, Foggia, Italy Hometown: Queens County, NY
  24 Dec 43 . P-47 ? Queen, William Lloyd O-667844 317FS 325FG 15AF DNB Lt. Queen, KIFA, 317FS, 325FG, Foggia, Italy, Lt. Queen of the 317th, got into an overcast and got mixed up. He went into the ground at a 30 degree angle upside down! Hometown Palacios, TX, Honored by Edna Hamlin, Sister, 2ND LIEUTENANT. A P-40 WARHAWK PILOT AND PARTICIPATED IN THE TUNISIAN, SICILIAN, SARDINIAN AND PANTELLERIAN CAMPAIGNS. HE LATER WAS A PILOT OF A P-47 THUNDERBOLT FIGHTER PLANE AND WAS KILLED DECEMBER 24, 1943 DURING THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN AFTER PARTICIPATING IN MORE THAN 30 MISSIONS AND WITH 195 HOURS OF PURSUIT FLYING TO HIS CREDIT. RECEIVED THE PURPLE HEART AND THE AIR MEDAL.
. 25 Dec 43 . The group had a long mission to Balzano Italy today. I flew on Vaught's wing. Balzano is in the foothills of the Italian Alps so it was a long haul for the bombers. The B-17's hit the marshalling yards and we gave then withdrawal escort.  We didn't run into any German fighters but we sure did have a lot of flak thrown up at us. Those black puffs seem so harmless when in reality they are loaded with shrapnel. The weather was getting rough on the return trip and the group was pretty well split up.  Joey Muller, Slattery and Watkins all failed to return. They were all in the same flight. It is now 22:00 and still no word has been heard from them. I sure hope they didn't go down in the Adriatic.  Slattery, Bill H.  O2056053 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA

Entered the Service from, New York, Buried at: Plot H Row 5 Grave 6, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 11 Gold Stars, Purple Heart

28 Dec 43 Word came in today that both Slattery and Watkins planes were found in the mountains north of here. Both planes burned after they hit and so there wasn't much left of the bodies. Watkins plane was about four miles from Slattery's. Evidently they let down through the overcast thinking that they were over the Adriatic. Still no word on Joey Muller.

. 25 Dec 43 . . Muller, Joseph T O-665851 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Philadelphia County, PA
. 28 Dec 43   Foggia Main . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . On 29 November 1943, the entire squadron was called together at Soliman and informed that orders had been received to move the unit to a staging area at Bizerte, efficiently completed by 3 December. The only members of the squadron to remain at Soliman were those who had been selected to fly to Italy.On 12 December, half of the ground echelon boarded LST #315 and sailed on 14 December, proceeding to Foggia by truck, jeep and train. The last of the squadron left Bizerte on 24 December, landing at Naples on 26 December. The entire unit was complete at Foggia Main by the 28th.
. 29 Dec 43 .   . . . 325FG 15AF . Today the 325th flew escort for the bombers as they hit the airfield at Reggio Rimilia in northern Italy. Vaught was the only one from our tent to go. No German fighters were seen.   Doc Reynolds got into a crack-up today and washed out the P-47. All he got out of it was a scratch on the nose.  He collided with an Italian tri-motored plane on the approach leg. All the guys in the tri-motor got out okay but  the plane burned up after they got out. Our group is really goofing up. We've had seven accidents in just a short period. Five pilots have been killed and not a shot has been fired during this time. 
. 30 Dec 43 . Foggia #1 Airdrome, Italy . . 318FS 325FG 12AF . On 30 December 1943, the 318th completed another move, this time settling at Foggia #1 Airdrome, Italy.
. 30 Dec 43 . . Catlin, Richard L T-186037 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories Me-109, near Pescara
. 30 Dec 43 . . Greene, Clarence R O-673361 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory Me-109, near Pescara
. 30 Dec 43 . Celone #1 . . 319FS 325FG 12AF . From the main Foggia field to Celone #1, and airfield approximately 7 miles NW of the city of Foggia
.. 30 Dec 43 . .   . . 325FG 15AF . Our whole group moved from "Foggia main" to Foggia # 1. We are now located about seven miles north of Foggia. The field here is much better than the one we left as it has a better runway and the ground is good and solid. Joey Muller's plane was found today cracked up on a hillside. By the looks of the plane he must have gone straight in.

1944

MACR# Date Serial# A/C Type  Pilot Service# Sqdn Group AF Status Comments
. 9 Jan  44 . . Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 9 Jan  44 . . Schmerbeck, David J O-815773 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
2061 possible connection in 2058 10 Jan 44 42-75006 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt Miller, Beverly E. O-666416 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Today's target for the bombers was Sofia Bulgaria. Bev. Miller of the 319th went into the Adriatic just off the coast of Yugoslavia, (Crashed just off the Dalmatian coast) after his motor quit. None of his flight saw him go in and so they spent a lot of time looking for him without success. All he had to keep him afloat was his "Mae West." , Miller called his flight just before he hit the water and told them that he was "kind of nervous" because it was a long swim to the coast. Entered the Service from, Texas, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
. 13 Jan  44 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jan  44 . . Forrest, John M O-672590 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jan  44 . . Toner, James V Jr O-393161 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Jan 44 . . Chick, Lewis William Jr O-022403 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service in 4FG and 355FG
. 19 Jan 44 . . Paulk, Edsel T-60178 later O-1703100 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 21 Jan 44 . . Carroll, Harry S O-1703101 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 21 Jan 44 . . Elliott, William R Jr O-668557 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 21 Jan 44 . . Hartley, Raymond E Jr O-666935 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 21 Jan 44 . . Smith, Fielder B Jr O-797735 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
2037 21 Jan 44 42-75011 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt Hussey, Robert P. FOD date 22 Jan 45 O-680029 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, Lage Paola Vicinity. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. The 325th flew two missions today. One was a short range (belly tank) fighter sweep to the Rome area.  The other was a long range (wing tanks) to Florence. I went on the long job. There were a few F-W-190's over the area but the 318th didn't get a crack at them as we were at 25,000 feet. The 319th ran smack into three F.W.'s and shot them down. I logged 3:35 for the mission. The sweep to Rome was uneventful as there were no enemy fighters in the air. Lt. Hussey of the 318th had engine trouble over enemy territory and said that he was going to bail out but no one saw him do it. Plane numbered 52, plane was assigned to Chester A Sluder.
. 22 Jan 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Jan 44 . . Chick, Lewis William Jr O-022403 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service in 4FG and 355FG
. 22 Jan  44 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 22 Jan 44 . . Elliott, William R Jr O-668557 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Jan 44 42-10850 Curtiss P-40L-15-CU Warhawk Coward, William A . 319FS 325FG 15AF   Plane destroyed, Pilot killed in forced landing due to engine failure, Capodicino/ 2 1/2 mi N., Italy
. ?? 42-75001 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 55
. ?? 42-75007 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 30 , named *Topper* assigned to Penny, Warren F
. ?? 42-75008 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt . . HQ 325FG 15AF . Plane named *Big Stud* assigned to Baseler, Robert L
1989 22 Jan 44 42-75017 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt Legg, Wallace L O-797852 319FS 325FG  15AF . Location, Guidona Airdrome Near Rome, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy
. ?? 42-75018 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt  Possible ground accident . 318FS 325FG 15AF W/o Numbered 62, details and date as yet unknown to me appears to be a ground taxing accident plane had name "Spirit of ?? County" over painted by the number 2 in plane id number 62
. ?? 42-75020 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt . . 317FS 325FG 15AF Transferred out To 86FS, 79FG, plane destroyed landing, Sutton, Ramon A, Serragia AF , Corsica
. ?? 42-75023 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt . . 319FS 325FG 15AF Transferred out Plane number 95 while with 325FG. To 347FS, 350FG, 6 Mar 1945, Cat 3 damage taxing, Young, James H, Pisa, Italy
. 22 Jan 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
2095 22 Jan 44 42-75757 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt,  Brumfield, Jack L O-673313 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, Guidona Airdrome Near Rome, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. The Americans started their invasion of the Rome area. They landed on the coast near Anzio south of Rome. We didn't get a mission until the afternoon. As usual the 318th was flying top-cover at 15,000 ft and so they didn't see much. Lt's Legg, Deanne and Brumfield all from the 319th failed to return. Entered the Service from, Arkansas, Buried at: Plot H Row 4 Grave 25, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 23 Jan 44 . . Rodgers, Steacy D O-672676 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jan 44 . . Hamilton, Georgie C O-672609 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jan 44 . . Mentioned by Parker, Dennis M   O-796018 318FS 325FG 15AF . Ferried one of our older P-47's over to the 57th group today but it wasn't in very good shape when I left it. My engine quit at 1700 ft near the 2nd bomb groups field. At first I thought that I could make a 180 degree turn and land on the runway. But once that prop stopped turning the plane dropped like a rock. So I headed for a ploughed field at the end of the runway. I had to stretch my glide over a ditch and I stalled in from about twenty feet.
. 30 Jan 44 . . Baseler, Robert Lee O-023371 HQ 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Brower, John L O-665168 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Carroll, Neil C O-661281 317FS 325FG 12AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jan 44 . . Chick, Lewis William Jr O-022403 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 2 victories, he also had service in 4FG and 355FG
. 30 Jan  44 . . Collins, Frank Junior O-664528 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Dahl, Walter L O-1703098 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Dean, Cecil Oree T-106044 later O-1703099 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories
. 30 Jan 44 . . Dorety, James C O-797801 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Edwards, Gerald B  O-675683 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jan 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 6 victories, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 30 Jan 44 . . Jones, James H O-666946 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jan 44 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 30 Jan 44 . . Paulk, Edsel T-60178 later O-1703100 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories
. 30 Jan  44 . . Hogg, Roy B O-794232 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 30 Jan 44 . . Kitchen, Noel O O-672629 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
2393 30 Jan 44 42-75967 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Lowry, Morgan H O-668601 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, 10 Miles N W Villaorba A/D, Point Of Departure, Foggia #1, Italy. (FOD 18 Sep 1945)
. 30 Jan  44 . . Suehle, Ferdinand E O-796221 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jan 44 . . Whiteside, Philip C O-736438 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
2571 30 Jan 44 42-75982 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Fallon, Jack Stanley, Mentioned by Parker, Dennis M 20 Apr 44 column O-799152 . 325FG 15AF POW Location, 10 Miles N W Villaorba A/D, Point Of Departure, Foggia #1, Italy. European Theatre: Germany. Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. We pulled the sneak attack on Udine. We flew on the deck all the way up the Adriatic. About 50 miles off the coast we broke the radio silence and started climbing. There was a low thin overcast over the water and it was quite a sight seeing all the planes appearing out of the haze. I stayed with Col. Sluder as we were flying top-cover. We didn't get into the action as it was all going on down low. The group got 36 planes in all. Whiteside, Hogg and Kitchen each got two planes apiece. Capt. Green of the 319th got five. General Twining was on hand when we returned and presented Col. Basseler the Silver Star on the spot. Lowry and Jack Fallon both failed to return.
. 31 Jan 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 31 Jan 44 . . Hoffman, Cullen Jenkins O-792834 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 31 Jan 44 . . Rynne, William Aloysius O-660293 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
3165 8 Feb 44 42-75968 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Whiteside, Philip C. Jr O-736438 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, Approx, 20 Miles Off Coast N E Ancona. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. Hometown: Frankling County, IL. Had an escort mission to Verona Italy today, Whiteside was leading the 318th. On the way up the Adriatic we climbed through a couple of layers of overcast and the squadron got broken up a little.  We were at about 20,000 ft and still with Whitesides flight. Suddenly someone hollered "bogey at one o'clock." Whiteside started to turn and went into a spin. He spun from 20,000 ft down through the overcast and that was the last we saw of him. It was an awful sight. Hank Southern, Whitesides wingman also spun but he pulled out of it!
. 11 Feb 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
Mentioned in MACR 2530 13 Feb 44 42-40005 Lockheed/Vega B-17G-10-VE Fortress. Mentioned by Parker, Dennis M 20 Apr 44 column Kenny, Paul E O-676227 .   . POW Listed asBombardment, Heavy 384 Group, European Theatre: Germany, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11 (384th BG, 546th BS, *Salvage Queen*) MIA Feb 11, 1944 on mission to Frankfurt. MACR 2530
. 13 Feb 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . The 318th got three new pilots today - MacDonald, Donald J, Emmet, Benjamin H., O- 666903 and Crookem.
. 14 Feb 44 . . Chick, Lewis William Jr O-022403 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service in 4FG and 355FG
. 14 Feb 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 14 Feb 44 . . Mock, Richard H O-668612 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 14 Feb 44 . . Rynne, William Aloysius O-660293 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Feb  44 . . Malloy, Richard K O-673405 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
2485 14 Feb 44 42-75793 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Greene, Clarence Raymond O-673361 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 45° 30' N 11° E, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12. The group went out in full Strength on an escort mission to Verona (home of Romeo and Juliet). I flew in Vaught's flight as element leader. We were supposed to arrive at the target five minutes before the bombers but we were a little late. We arrived with the B-17's. We were at 25,000 feet providing top cover for the bombers when a whole load of ME-109's came in above us dragging con-trails. It was a beautiful sight! The 109's started down through the bomber formation. Vaught and I latched on to one of them but we couldn't catch him as he headed for the deck.  One ME-109 ran smack into a B-17 and they both went down in a cloud of smoke. Six ME-109's were shot down and four guys from the 319th are missing. Clinch from the 317th came back with his plane full of holes.
. 14 Feb 44 . . Crawford, Wallace D O-736130 . 325FG 15AF  POW North African Theatre, Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12, 319FS, 325FG
2486 mentioned in 2479 Page 2 14 Feb 44 42-75976 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt . . . 325FG 15AF . .
2569 22 Feb 44 42-75799 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt. Soper, William E. T-060170 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA/Rtn

Location, Pola, Italy, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. Regensburg, Austria

Today we had the first combined attack by both the 15th Air Force. in Italy and the 8th Air Force in England. The target was aircraft factories at Regensburg, Austria. Our group escorted the bombers as far as the Brenner Pass in the Alps. Other B-I7's from the 15th A.F. attacked targets in northern Yugoslavia and so drew a lot of enemy fighters away from the main target - Regensburg, Lt. Soper of the 319th was lost on today's mission.
. 24 Feb 44 . . Forrest, John M O-672590 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 3 Mar 44 42-75958, plane later MACR 7061, 26 June 1944 332FG Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt, numbered 50, , badly shot up in combat, 318FS, 325FG, Rome, Italy Parker, Dennis M O-796018 318FS 325FG 15AF . Over Rome, Italy. We escorted B-24's to the Viterbo airdrome north of Rome.We got into a big dog-fight and we had only 14 ships from the 318th. About a dozen ME-109's came down from above us and headed for the bombers. Gus Kitchen and I latched onto a couple of the M.E.'s. Gus took the one on our left and I took off after the other. I followed him all the way down to 5000' - firing at him all the time. I know that I hit him and at 5000 ft he did a "split s" and headed for the deck. I wasn't about to follow him as I was going to fast. I climbed up to 20000 ft again. There were a couple of fighters in the distance which I couldn't identify so I headed toward them. I broke one of a fighter pilots cardinal rules by flying straight and level and not checking behind me. An F.W. 190 flew up behind me and blasted me with everything he had. Tracer bullets were going by me so fast that at first I thought my own guns were firing. In about one second I realized what was happening and I broke to the right and watched him as he headed for the deck. I really sweated out the ride home as my plane was shaking like a leaf and I had been hit in the right leg. I called in and asked for an emergency landing as my hydraulic system was about gone. All of the fields emergency equipment was ready when I came in. I blew a tire on landing and ran off the runway. Luckily I stopped just short of a Limy tent. The doc gave me a shot of whiskey and stitched up my leg. Been, Ridgeway and Walker all got shot down so I guess that I was lucky. Deakins got two ME's, Brown and Vaught each got one.
. 3 Mar 44 . . Chick, Lewis William Jr O-022403 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, he also had service in 4FG and 355FG
. 3 Mar 44 . . Brown, Sam E O-465332 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Mar 44 . . Deakins, Richard S O-669875 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Mar 44 . . Storts, Gerald E O-1703097 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Mar 44 . . Vaught, Winston W O-793565 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
2810 3 Mar 44 42-75760 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Been, Raymond V . . 325FG 15AF . Location, Viterbo Area, Point Of Departure, Foggia #1, Italy
2811 3 Mar 44 42-75961 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Walker, Joseph M O-801351 . 325FG 15AF POW Location, Viterbo Area, Point Of Departure, Foggia #1, Italy. North African Theatre: Italy, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
2809 3 Mar 44 42-75962 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Ridgway, William M O-665230 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Dallas County, TX. Location, Viterbo Area, Point Of Departure, Foggia #1, Italy
3215 3 Mar 44 42-76007 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Eastman, John T O-803359 . 325FG 15AF POW Transferred in from 1FG, went down on his first P-47 flight with 325FG, Location, Approx 30 Miles N W Rome. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. North African Theatre: Italy. Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11). Returned to Military Control, Liberated or Repatriated
, Mar 44 , Republic P-47D Davis, Barrie S O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF . For about three months prior to my joining the fighter group, I was attached to the Mediterranean Air Transport Service ferrying planes from Casablanca to the Suez Canal. It was a fun assignment with an outfit that had no TO&E. When I joined the 317th Fighter Squadron, it was experiencing a great loss of pilots — either because they had completed their tours or from combat losses. By the time I had completed 10 missions, I had my own plane — Mayfair 24 — a razor-back P-47 Thunderbolt. In late May, 1944, we exchanged the P-47s for P-51s. This change that did not thrill everyone, because the P-47 was a rugged, reliable airplane, and many feared the liquid cooled Merlin engine of the Mustang would be disabled easily with a bullet through the plumbing or radiator.
. 11 Mar 44 . Information Only . . . . . .

The Italian unit involved was 1° Gruppo Caccia ANR and what follows is the original mission report: REPORT ON WAR ACTION MARCH 11, 1944
Over the River Po Delta, Verona, Treviso, Padua, Venice
Action type: scramble
Take off: 11.03
Aircraft type and number: 36 Mc 205
Commanding Officer: Capitano Adriano Visconti (Tenente Amedeo Guidi, Ten. Mario Ligugnana)
Report: Take off at 11.03, course to Gorizia at max altitude, with a radio call the formation reaches the River Po Delta, where intercepts with altitude advantage the enemy bombers headed NW.
Our right section (CO Ten. Amedeo Guidi) attacks the bombers, the Gruppo CO (Cap. Visconti) attacks the fighters in direct escort; our left section, sighted many Lighting fighters above, in indirect escort, manoeuvres to prevent them from attacking our formation. The fight against Fortresses type Boeing and Thunderbolts lasts from 11.40 to 12.??
Achievements: 8 Thunderbolts positively shot down, 1 probable, 4 damaged; 3 Boeing Fortresses positively shot down, 1 probable, 12 damaged.
Aircraft lost: Mc 205 MM 92896 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani, fallen in the sea at Venice, Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscetti e Mc 205 MM 923?1 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortorani, MIA, and Mc 205 MM 92264 flown by S.Ten. Andrea Stella ditched in Adria surroundings (pilot unhurt).
Aircraft damaged in flight: none.
This Command has already informed the family of S.Ten Castellani, KIA. The funeral is to take place in Udine, Monday at 16.30.  The only true and verifiable data are the four Macchi C.205s lost (three shot down and one crash-landed) and the three pilots KIA. (To correct some of the above  data:
Aircraft lost: Mc 205 MM 92896 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani, fallen in the sea at Venice, Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscetti e Mc 205 MM 923?1 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortorani, MIA, and Mc 205 MM 92264 flown by S.Ten. Andrea Stella ditched in Adria sorroundings (pilot unhurt).
Mc 205 MM 92296 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani;
Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscutti;
Mc 205 MM 92321 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortolani.
. 11 Mar 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Butler, Frank J  O-793728 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Chesney, Robert  O-736110 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Clark, Robert D O-736114 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. . 42-103324 North American P-51C-1-NT Mustang Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Assigned plane was numbered 11, plane was condemned crash Jun 25, 1945
. 11 Mar 44 . . Jones, James H O-666946 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Kern, Lynn B O-672627 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 . . Rynne, William Aloysius O-660293 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 11 Mar 44 . . Decker, Earl A O-736148 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Mar 44 N/A N/A McCabe, Daniel J. , Private First Class 31161264 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Massachusetts, Buried at: Plot D Row 8 Grave 20, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
3202 11 Mar 44 42-75703 MARC gives 42-75702 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Jones, James H O-666946 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 45°20' N 12°50' E. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. We had an escort mission to Padua, Italy today. Lt. Hogg lead the 318th and I was his wing-man. The enemy fighter strength in the Venice area is getting stronger all the time. There were a lot of ME-109's and FW 190's making their one pass down through the bomber formations. No enemy fighters came near our flight though. I saw two B-17's go down in a stream of smoke. No 318th pilots were lost although Williamson got his ass shot at. I think that he was sorry that he didn't get hit himself as he wants a Purple Heart in the worst way. The 319th C.O. Colonel Chick was shot down. Also Lt. Jones got shot down by one of his own pilots - Lt. Hudson. It was Hudson's first mission and he got nervous and confused in all the action. My job was to stay with Hogg and that's what I did. ITALIAN REPORT ON WAR ACTION MARCH 11, 1944. Over the River Po Delta, Verona, Treviso, Padua, Venice, Action type: scramble, Take off: 11.03, Aircraft type and number: 36 Mc 205
Commanding Officer: Capitano Adriano Visconti (Tenente Amedeo Guidi, Ten. Mario Ligugnana)
Report: Take off at 11.03, course to Gorizia at max altitude, with a radio call the formation reaches the River Po Delta, where intercepts with altitude advantage the enemy bombers headed NW.
Our right section (CO Ten. Amedeo Guidi) attacks the bombers, the Gruppo CO (Cap. Visconti) attacks the fighters in direct escort; our left section, sighted many Lighting fighters above, in indirect escort, manoeuvres to prevent them from attacking our formation. The fight against Fortresses type Boeing and Thunderbolts lasts from 11.40 to 12.??, Achievements: 8 Thunderbolts positively shot down, 1 probable, 4 damaged; 3 Boeing Fortresses positively shot down, 1 probable, 12 damaged.
Aircraft lost: Mc 205 MM 922896 flown by S.Ten. Bruno Castellani, fallen in the sea at Venice, Mc 205 MM 92279 flown by Ten. Giobatta Boscetti e Mc 205 MM 92321 flown by Ten. Guerrino Bortorani, MIA, and Mc 205 MM 92264 flown by S.Ten. Andrea Stella ditched in Adria sorroundings (pilot unhurt).
Aircraft damaged in flight: none., This Command has already informed the family of S.Ten Castellani, KIA. The funeral is to take place in Udine, Monday at 16.30. USAAF unit involved was apparently 325th FG whose documented losses are just two P-47s (despite the fact that Luftwaffe and ANR fighters claimed more than ten). The "Checkertail Clan" pilots claimed 11-3-1 Axis fighters, in most cases Bf 109s. I do not know the losses of I./JG 77 or ANR, but another Luftwaffe unit that took part in this combat was I./JG 53 that lost 3 pilots MIA and two more WIA in combat with Thunderbolts and B-17s in Padua - Venice area. The Italian unit involved was 1° Gruppo Caccia ANR, verifiable data are the four Macchi C.205s lost (three shot down and one crash-landed) and the three pilots KIA.
3158 11 Mar 44 42-75773 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Tirk, Anthony, Jr. FOD date 20 Jul 1945 O-421143 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Bastrop County, TX. Entered the Service from, Texas, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Silver Star, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. Location, Over Venice, Italy. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. Lt. Col. Tirk, 319th Commanding Officer, was listed as missing in action after an aerial encounter with approximately 50 enemy fighters on 11 March. He was succeeded by Major Collins, the leading Ace of the squadron, with 9 victories and 2 probables. Major Collins completed his tour of duty and left for home on 20 March and Captain Willian A. Rynne, an Ace flying with the 317th Squadron, transferred to the 319th and assumed command.
. 18 Mar 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Chesney, Robert  O-736110 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Clinge, Harold C O-796091 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 18 Mar 44 . . House, Charles D O-673378 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Kern, Lynn B O-672627 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Kitchen, Noel O O-672629 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Mar 44 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 18 Mar 44 . . Walker, Frank E  O-668671 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
3468 18 Mar 44 42-75736 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Mallett, Walter J O-799205 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Warren County, MS. Location, Mrzla Vodisa Vicinity, Yugoslavia, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy. For two months my friend had found two big fuel tanks and some parts of plane in woods near Tribalj, Croatia. Last weekend we were on the crash place and we found on many pieces  stamps and  factory numbers (93P68173, 89P11235,89P63175, 93P63166....) by which we concluded it`s P-47. We discovered that on the 18.3.1944 two P-47 were destroyed in Croatia( 42-75736 and 42-75742). Fw. Ohlez from 1/JG.53 shot down one P-47 in area north of Tribalj. Can anyone help me in identification which of this two P-47
. 18 Mar 44 . . Davis, Daniel O-800485 . 325FG 15AF POW European Theatre: Germany, Obermassfeld Hospital #1249 (Serves Stalag 9-C) Obermassfeld Thuringia, Germany 50-10, 317FS, 325FG
3510 18 Mar 44 42-75742 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt . . . 325FG 15AF . Today's target for the bombers were the enemy airfields in the Udine area. We flew across the Adriatic on the deck and climbed up over the coast of Yugoslavia below Fiume. I flew on Lt. Ring's wing in Kitchens flight. Just as we met the bombers a flight of about 30 ME-109's came in high above us dragging con-trails. We kept the ME's away from the bombers and had a real scrap doing it. I stuck close to Lt. Ring as he couldn't get rid of his fight wing tank. My carburetor / air temperature gauge went out and I was sweating out icing. I watched four ME-109's go down and saw only one parachute. The 317th lost Davis and Malloy (Mallett) in the flight. The group got eight ME-109's
. 19 Mar 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . Today's target for the bombers was a ball-bearing factory at Styer, Austria. We picked the bombers up over Yugoslavia and flew escort almost to the target. No enemy planes were met. I flew in Vaught's flight as element leader. Logged 4:00 hrs. I found out today that Gerry Lombard was lost on yesterdays raid on Udine. His plane got hit by some bombers that unloaded above him. Gerry may have got down okay as they say that he still had some control of his plane. (Lombard Gerald P, O-799415, POW,99BG, 437BS , MACR 3355, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. 26 Mar 44 . Lesina Airdrome . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Between the 26th and 30th of March 1944, the 318th moved from Foggia #1 to Lesina Airdrome, approximately thirty-five (35) north of Foggia. The 318th remained at Lesina longer than at any other base.
. 28 Mar 44 . . Booth, John D O-662865 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 4 victories, Me-109 shot down 2 collided with one losing 5 feet of wing it then collided with another
. 28 Mar 44 . . Folkes, Joseph T O-1703097 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
3513 28 Mar 44 42-75634 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Jones, Alexander O Jr O-431294 319FS 325FG 15AF S/d Rtn? see 2 Sep 45 Claims 1 victory. On 28 March, the last mission to take off and land at the Celone A/F, the squadron suffered heavy casualties. Lieutenants A.O. Jones and Hudson and the 319th C.O., Captain Rynne, were lost to enemy action. Captain Raymond E. Hartley assumed command of the squadron.
. 28 Mar 44 . . Sluder, Chester L O-022419 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
3877 28 Mar 44 42-75748 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Hudson, Jesse D O-796697   325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Allegheny County, PA. Location, Approx. 25 Miles N Of Rimini, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
3512 28 Mar 44 42-75829 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt, numbered 29, named *Ginger* Rynne, William Aloysius CO 319FS O-660293 319FS 325FG 15AF POW European Theatre: Germany, Stalag 9C Bad Sulza Saxe-Weimar 51-11, 319FS, 325FG, We had another super mission today. The target was Verona and we escorted the B-17's all the way. Colonel Sluder led the group and I flew as his element leader. There were a load of ME-109's in the area. A flight of ME's headed for the bombers and our flight went after them. I latched on to one of the 109's and fired a couple of real long bursts at him. I know that he got hit before he rolled over and headed for the deck. It was a good scrap and I enjoyed it. Emmet my wing man stayed with me but we became separated from Sluder. We later met four more ME-I09's. Both Emmet and I got shots off at them but there were no signs of damage. Capt. Rynne, the C.O. of the 319th, was lost as were Lt's Jones and Hudson. Hudson was the pilot who shot down Lt. Jim Jones on March 11th. I liked both Jones and Hudson so I hope that they will make it okay. Colonel Sluder got a victory for the ME that he went after. Tomorrow we are moving to Lesina, Italy
. 29 Mar 44 . Lesina Airdrome . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . A move to the Lesina A/D began on 25 March when an advanced echelon left Celone airfield to prepare a bivouac area at the new field. The movement was completed on 29 March when the planes landed at Lesina on their return from an escort mission over Turin, Italy.
. 29 Mar 44 . . Butler, Frank J  O-793728 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 29 Mar 44 . . Forrest, John M O-672590 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 29 Mar 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 29 Mar 44 . . Komunicki  . 318FS 325FG 15AF . At 08: 00 we were briefed for an escort mission to Tourin Italy where both the B-17's and B-24's levelled the marshalling yards. A few enemy fighters showed up but none of them was in our area. The 319th ran into some FW 190's and Henry Green and Lt. Forrest both got victories. After we left Tourin we flew to Corsica and landed. Lt. Komunicki of the 318th cracked up his plane in landing. We gassed up at Corsica and flew back. We landed at our new field at Lesina.
. 29 Mar 44 . Lesina airfield. . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Another move was experienced on 29 March to Lesina airfield. With the understanding that the new field would be a relatively permanent one, work was begun to make the new camp as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Men were permitted to build individual houses and shacks that would quarter as many as 2 to 8 men. Nissen huts were obtained and used to good advantage for a comfortable and cheerful enlisted men’s club. Rest camps to Rome and Naples were arranged, and three and five day passes initiated for the first time
. 30 Mar 44 . . Hamilton, Georgie C O-672609 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 2 Apr 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 2 Apr 44 . . Hoffman, Cullen Jenkins O-792834 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 2 Apr 44 . . Mock, Richard H O-668612 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 5 April 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . The group had another long escort job over the Balkans again today. The target was the marshalling yards at Polesti, Romania. Polesti is only 150 miles from the Russian front,  Col Sluder led the group and I lead his element with Emmet on my wing. It was a dull mission as we didn't see any enemy action.
. 6 Apr 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Dorety, James C O-797801 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Hamilton, Georgie C O-672609 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Hoffman, Cullen Jenkins O-792834 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Mock, Richard H O-668612 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 6 Apr 44 . . Penny, Warren F O-668629 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Storts, Gerald E O-1703097 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Apr 44 . . Smith, Fielder B Jr O-797735 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 6 Apr 44 . . Oxner, Jim R O-797887 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 7 Apr  44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 8 Apr 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . Three new pilots came in tonight
. 10 Apr 44 . Five new Pilots by 6 June 44 all but one are listed with incidents . . . 325FG 15AF . Five new pilots came in last night. Mumford, John D., O-811955O, Fitch, Arthur J., .Harper, Joseph W.,  O-811902, Johnson, Robert C and Lauren.
. 11 Apr 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred O-801747 318FS 325FG 15AF S/d friendly fire ( 11 April 1944, USAAF P-47 (325th Fighter Group) was shot down by a USAAF P-38 over Italy. Captain Harry A. Parker bailed out safely. McDowell, p.55. )
. 12 Apr 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 12 Apr 44 . . Gerken, Gilbert W O-668567 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 12 Apr 44 . . Hartley, Raymond E Jr O-666935 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 12 Apr 44 . . Paulk, Edsel  O-1703100 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 12 Apr  44 . . Malloy, Richard K O-673405 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 12 Apr  44 . . Strain, James R O-665460 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
4041 12 Apr 44 42-75959 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt, (not sure if this was his assigned plane numbered 41, or his borrowed plane numbered 57 Parker, Dennis M O-796018 318FS 325FG 15AF POW

Location, Wiener Neustadt, Austria, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Austria, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11, 318FS, 325FG, Grünbach am Schneeberg, Austria, the town in which Dennis landed when bailing out of his airplane.

On April 12th 1944 I was forced to "bail-out" of my P-47 Thunderbolt over the small town of Grunbach, Austria. It was an escort mission to Wiener Neustadt, Austria and I had trouble over the target as I couldn't release my right wing-tank. In an attempt to take evasive action from a couple of approaching ME-109's I flipped over into an inverted flat spin. I spun from 22,000 feet down to about 5000 feet before I was able to recover. As I pulled out of it my canopy - became covered with oil and my oil pressure gauge was at zero. I was traveling too fast to bail-out safely so I pulled up into a loop to slow down and at the top I opened the canopy, unbuckled my safety belt and dropped out of the airplane...And so I began my thirteen months as a prisoner of war in Germany. It wasn't long before I was reunited with some old friends including Phil McCullough, Jerry Lombard, Jack Fallon, Paul Kenny and Ken Douglas. I cannot find any POW record for Ken Douglas 
. 13 Apr 44 . . Aho, Arne E O-795874 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 13 Apr 44 . . Brower, John L O-665168 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 13 Apr 44 . . Deakins, Richard S O-669875 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 13 Apr 44 . . Garcia, Robert M O-737059 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 13 Apr 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
4040 13 Apr 44 42-75651 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Malloy, Richard K. O-673405 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Entered the Service from, Texas, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. Location, Budapest, Hungary, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
4075 13 Apr 44 42-76543 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Mock, Richard H. O-668612 317FS 325FG 15AF POW European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Location, Approx 10 Miles S Budapest. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
4231 16 Apr 44 42-22869 Republic P-47D-11-RA Thunderbolt Barrett, John W O-777987 317FS 325FG 15AF S/d Location, Approx, 52 Miles E-Of Belgrade, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Shot down during escort, target Brasov, bailed out and rescued by chetniks, Yugoslavia
4020 16 Apr 44 42-75709 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Booth, John R.  O-662865 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Silver Star, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. Location, Three (3) Miles Off Viesta, Italy, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
. 17 Apr 44 . . Edwards, Gerald B  O-675683 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 17 Apr 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 17 Apr 44 . . Kastner, Paul J O-1683530 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Apr 44 . . Brown, Sam E O-465332 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 18 Apr 44 . . Dowd, Paul B O-737027 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
4229 18 Apr 44 42-75851 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Gonda, John E O-1703102 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. 18 Apr 44 . . Rodgers, Steacy D O-672676 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 25 Apr  44 . . Emmert,  Benjamin H Jr O-666903 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
4724 5 or 6 May 44 42-75735 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt, numbered 45 Fitch, Arthur J. O-811877 318FS 325FG 15AF . Location, 7 Miles N Of Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Escort to Turnu Severin, plane damaged, bailed out NE of the town, Dubrovnik, (Croatia), Yugoslavia,  safely returned
. 5 May 44 . . Clark, Robert D O-736114 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 May 44 . . Penny, Warren F O-668629 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 May  44 . . Wolfe, Harold C O-816193 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 May 44 . . Suehle, Ferdinand E O-796221 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 May 44 42-76013 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Truscott, Raymond  . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane badly damaged in landing accident 319FS, 325FG
. 5 May 44 42-74993 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt Johnson, Robert C . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed in take off accident, Lesina AF, Italy. Pilot escapes unhurt
. 8 May 44 . . Walton, Edward B. A., Jr. O-791173 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Pennsylvania, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
4764 12 May 44 42-75642 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Forrest, John M FOD date 7 Nov 1945 O-672590 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Genesee County, MI. Location, Overwater Between Ancona & Pola, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy  (FOD 7 Nov 1945)
4763 12 May 44 42-75645 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Nuneviller, Edward V.  FOD date 7 Nov 1945 O-814741 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Philadelphia County, PA. Location, Imola, Italy, Point Of Departure, Foggia # 3, Italy (FOD 7 Nov 1945)
4760 12 May 44 42-75717 MACR gives 42-75756 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Folkes, Joseph T FOD date 7 Nov 1945 O-796117 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD

Hometown: Henrico County, VA. Location, Overwater Between Ancona & Pola. Point Of Departure: Lesina, Italy
4762 12 May 44 42-75750 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Bower, John L FOD date 7 Nov 1945 O-665168 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, Overwater Between Ancona & Pola, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy  (FOD 7 Nov 1945)
4887 12 May 44 42-75838 Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt Scott, Richard C. FOD date 7 Nov 1945 O-816164 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, Overwater Between Ancona & Pola, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy  (FOD 7 Nov 1945)
. 13 May 44 . . Butler, Frank J  O-793728 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. . 42-76996 Cancelled contract . . 317FS 325FG 15AF   Carried a Shooting Star under the cockpit and a name on the cowling
. 15 May 44 42-22835 Republic P-47D-4-RA Thunderbolt Smith, Fiedler B Jr O-797735 HQ 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed in a take off accident caused by an engine failure, Bari Apt, Italy
. May 44 . Transition in aircraft occurred in May, this time to P-51s. . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Another transition in aircraft occurred in May, this time to P-51s. With no interruptions in combat missions possible during the summer months, the work became almost ceaseless.
. May 44 . Transition in aircraft occurred in May, this time to P-51s. . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Another transition in aircraft occurred in May, this time to P-51s. This task was accomplished smoothly and was noteworthy, inasmuch as no interim was necessary between combat operations with Thunderbolts and Mustangs.
. 15 May 44 . Transition in aircraft occurred 15th May, this time to P-51s. . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . The squadron received the new P-51 Mustangs on 15 May and began an intensive transition program while continuing to operate with P-47s. On 27 May the squadron participated in its first mission with the new type aircraft, a heavy bomber escort attacking marshalling yards in southern France.
. 23  May 44 . . Bass, Robert S O-810294 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 23 May 44 . . Dean, Cecil Oree  O-1703099 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 May 44 . . Hoffman, Cullen Jenkins O-792834 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 24 May 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 May 44 . . Mohawk, Hiawatha O-800022 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 May 44 . . Rausch, Robert A O-542309 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 May 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . Last P-47 mission. Gen Twinning decorated the Group, 97 missions, 153 Victories, 38 Losses (From the book P-51 Mustang)
. 25 May 44 42-106977 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Kerns, Don P O-668249 319FS 325FG 15AF   Numbered 88, Plane damaged in landing accident,  Lesina, Italy, plane later Excess Inventory List/11-30-45
. 25 May 44 43-24770 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF   Plane badly damaged in crashed belly landing, Lesina, Italy
. 27 May 44 . North American P-51 . . . 325FG 15AF . Start of the P-51 missions
6310 see also MACR 1163 1 Jun 44 42-30319 Boeing B-17F-95-BO Fortress Cronin, Austin J, S Sgt 31089525 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Operation Frantic Joe, AC belonged to 414th BS, 97th BG, 11 men on board, Cronin was a member of the 319th FS. he replaced the  right waist gunner to be transported as 325FG support crew. Middle East Theatre, Rumania, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. 2 Jun 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . 64, P-51 land at Piryatin, Russia (Frantic Joe)
. 3 Jun 44 . . Bass, Robert S O-810294 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 44 . . Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 44 . . Hoffman, Cullen Jenkins O-792834 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 44 . . Sluder, Chester L O-022419 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jun 44 . . . . . 325FG 15AF . Return to Italy bomber carrying film of the event is shot down in transit
. . 42-103867 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Sluder, Chester L O-022419 318FS 325FG 15AF . Assigned plane was named "Shimmy III" coded number 52, JB website has  to RAF Jun 1944 as Mustang III HB898. SOC Oct 21, 1946
5854 6 Jun 44 42-103369 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Mumford, John D.  O-811955 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Plane numbered 61, while assigned to Jim Mumford, Entered the Service from, Florida, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Lost on Operation Frantic The mission of 6 June had as its target Galati Airdrome, Roumania. Location, 50 Miles N E Galati, Rumania., Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy (think the actual departure may have been at Piryatin, Russia) . Lt. Hoffman became the first USAAF pilot to destroy an enemy aircraft while operating from Russian bases. Captain Hogg destroyed two FW-190s, bringing his total to six. Lts. Barkey and Hoffman each got their fifth. Lt. Barrie Davis was wounded and thus became the first man to earn a Purple Heart while operating from Russian bases
. 6 Jun 44 . P-51 Davis, Barrie S O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF .

Soon after getting my Mustang, numbered 24,  I gave it my mother’s nickname — Bee. After scoring my first victory over Ploesti, I added “Honey” to the name, because it proved it had a sting. With my crew chief’s help and over his objections, I painted garish red stripes from nose to tail down the side of the Mustang. They did not remain long. The next day, ordered came to remove all added decorations except names so that our P-51s looked the same. With the help again of my crew chief and to his great satisfaction, we used paint remover to take off the red stripes. The following day we took part in the first shuttle mission from Italy to the Soviet Union. This aircraft was his original P-51 left behind in Russia due to severe battle damage. The squadron callsign was Mayfair and Barries aircraft number was 24. The replacement (42-103519)  looked exactly the same but with the addition of Honey to the nose and less checkerboard pattern paint due to a shortage of yellow paint at the time. The original P-51  was hit only once—during the June 6, 1944, mission flown from the Ukraine. Flying P-51s, we escorted B-17s attacking Galatz, Rumania. The fourth member of our flight, which was led by Wayne Lowry, returned early. Bob Bass was third member. We met 16 enemy fighters, and a fine battle ensued. I outmanoeuvred a Bf 109 and had him in my sights ready to achieve my first victory when he suddenly dropped wheels and flaps. He seemed to stop. I overshot and found myself in front of the Bf 109 desperately trying to escape. The hunter had become the hunted.
As suddenly as it began, the fight was over. I searched the sky for other planes, finally finding my flight leader. I joined him, and we flew line abreast, with me on the right, toward our Russian base. By flying side by side, we could cover each other. Wayne saw a third plane approaching from our right rear. He believed it was Bob Bass rejoining us, until it began firing.
Barrie: The first round evidently hit my canopy, because I remember nothing from the explosion until I found myself flying alone at 23,000 feet. I was very, very cold. My shoes, wet with dew from walking through high grass to the plane in early morning, were frozen. My right wing tip was shredded. After landing, we found the tail was nearly shot off, all four propeller blades had been hit, and an unexploded cannon round was found in the fuel tank that sat behind the seat. The flight surgeon spent nearly an hour picking shell fragments from my head, shoulders, and thighs. Wayne shot down the Bf 109 that had clobbered me, and I received a Purple Heart.
6763 6 Jun 44 42-103432 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang MacDonald, Donald J O-667086 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 50 Miles N E Galati, Rumania, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy (think the actual departure may have been at Piryatin, Russia). Plane numbered 42, assigned to Donald J. MacDonald, Middle East Theatre: Rumania, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Lost on Operation Frantic The mission of 6 June had as its target Galati Airdrome, Roumania. . Lt. Hoffman became the first USAAF pilot to destroy an enemy aircraft while operating from Russian bases. Captain Hogg destroyed two FW-190s, bringing his total to six. Lts. Barkey and Hoffman each got their fifth. Lt. Barrie Davis was wounded and thus became the first man to earn a Purple Heart while operating from Russian bases
. 11 Jun 44 . . Deakins, Richard S O-669875 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Jun 44 . . Suehle, Ferdinand E O-796221 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Jun 44 . . Emmert,  Benjamin H Jr O-666903 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 11 Jun 44 42-106800 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Dunlap, James C. Jr. T-186046 319FS   15AF KIA Crashed, Entered the Service from, Georgia, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 12 Jun 44 43-24886 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 36, based out of Lesina, Italy,  while assigned to Lawrence Dubois, 317FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 86, crashed
. 13 Jun 44 . . Emmons, Eugene Hughes O-675684 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jun 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 13 Jun 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jun 44 . . Tatman, Paul P O-816178 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 13 Jun 44 42-106976 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Dowd, Paul B O-737027 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed in take off crash, Lesina, Italy
. 13 Jun 44 43-24831 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Schreck, James R . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 45 while assigned to Robert Garcia, 318FS, Plane destroyed in take off accident
. 13 Jun 44 42-103517 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Kidder, Phillip D O-702810 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA

Plane numbered 21, named * Graceful Gracie * assigned to James O. Glanville,  O-730454, 317FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 96, assigned to Carl W. Holistein,  Pilot killed in mid air collision. HONORED BY
Mr. David R. Kidder, Brother, SERVED IN EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER, AS 2ND LIEUTENANT, P-51 PILOT. KILLED IN ACTION IN ITALY ON JUNE 13, 1944
. 13 Jun 44 42-106891 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Simmons, John M O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 27, named * Lady Janie VII * while assigned to John Simmons, 317FS, Plane damaged in mid air collision
. 15 Jun 44 . . Mohawk, Hiawatha O-800022 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
5775 15 Jun 44 42-103423 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Rausch, Robert A. O-542309 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at Rhone American Cemetery, Draguignan, France, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. Location, 42°55' N 50°25' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
6129 15 Jun 44 43-24883 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Ring, Charles Bruce. Jr O-737250 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 43°34' N 4°28' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Middle East Theatre: Rumania, Tsumori POW Camp, Osaka Honshu 34-135; Or Unstated camp, Roumania 45-21, Plane, numbered 64 while assigned to  Robert C. Johnson, 318FS
6131 15 Jun 44 42-103445 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Rosar, Joseph R O-701843 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 5 Miles E Of Target., Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Plane, numbered 77,  while assigned to John Kormanicki, 319FS
6130 15 Jun 44 42-103446 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Reed, Herbert M . 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA HONORED BY
Ms. Phyllis W. Reed, Wife, 1944, FLEW OUT OF BARI, ITALY. SHOT DOWN OVER SOUTHERN FRANCE. MISSING IN ACTION. ESCAPED TO SPAIN THROUGH EFFORT OF THE FRENCH MARQUIS. RETURNED TO THE U.S. AND WAS A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR UNTIL END OF WAR., Plane, numbered 82. Location, Over Town Of Roquemaure. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
6022 15 Jun 44 42-103483 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Stark, Wilbur W O-743120 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, Over St. Gilles A/D France, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: France, Plane numbered 72, while assigned to Wilbur Stark, 319FS
5766 15 Jun 44 42-103485 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Lott, Doyle W O-744723 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 43°20' N 6°54' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: France, Plane, numbered 97,  while assigned to James R. Oxner, 319FS
6309 15 Jun 44 42-103489 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Woods, Clinton W O-396504 HQ 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 42°35'N 5°45'E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Plane numbered 94, while assigned to Clinton Woods
. 16 Jun 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, escort to Ploestri
. 16 Jun 44 . . Deakins, Richard S O-669875 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Jun 44 . . Paulk, Jensen O-665202 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Jun 44 . . Reynolds, John W O-1703103 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Jun 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG On this day, Major Herschel Green, the leading U.S. ace in the Mediterranean theater, scored his 15th kill as he shot down a Bf 109, possibly Feldwebel Heinz Sieg of 1./JG 53.
. 23 Jun 44 . . Kastner, Paul J O-1683530 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
6733 23 Jun 44 42-103554 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Osterhus, Peter C O-814745 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 44° 12' N 26° 09' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. North African Theatre. Plane numbered 41, named "Eileen"  while assigned to Peter Osterhaus, 318FS
. 23 Jun 44 42-103456 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Hanson David G (Not confirmed) O-811898 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Middle East Theatre: Rumania. Plane numbered 48 named "Hell's Belle's" while assigned to David Hanson, 318FS
. 23 Jun 44 . . Mueller, Edward L O-814732 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Middle East Theatre: Rumania, 
. 23 Jun 44 43-24836 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF  MIA Numbered 65,  missing on Ops
. 24 Jun 44 . . Dean, Cecil Oree  O-1703099 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Jun 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Jun 44 . . Wolfe, Harold C O-816193 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
6178 24 Jun 44 42-103552 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Welch, Howard F. O-688883 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Massachusetts, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Plane numbered 75,  while assigned to Doyle Lott, 319FS. Location, 43° 55' N 12° 55' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Lieutenant Mork and crew on a search mission North of Ancona and within uncomfortable distance of Northeastern occupied Italy, and one of their ten P-51 escorts shot down by “ack-ack” fire.  The unlikely Fighter Pilot Howard Welch was from the 325th Fighter Group, 319th in Springfield, Mass.  After five hours of searching only a now empty row boat, probably a booby trap was seen.
6077 24 Jun 44 42-103599 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Harper, Joseph W O-811902 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 40° 50' N 26° 00' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Middle East Theatre: Rumania, Tsumori POW Camp, Osaka Honshu 34-135; Or Unstated camp, Roumania 45-21, Plane , numbered 42
. 28 Jun 44 . . Davis, Barrie Spilman O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 28 Jun 44 . . Greve, Henry C O-810357 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Kastner, Paul J O-1683530 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Murphy, William A Jr O-807590 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Stacy, Leland J Jr O-816171 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 28 Jun 44 . . Brown, Robert Harold

T-61885 later 

O-1691696

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories
. 28 Jun 44 . . Paulk, Jensen O-665202 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jun 44 . . Sweeney, George L O-797740 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 29 Jun 44 42-103513 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Ruranski, Thadues H . 319FS 325FG 15AF DNB Midair collision with 43-24866.  Both pilots killed.
. 29 Jun 44 43-24866 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Van Alst, Rex W O-766792 319FS 325FG 15AF DNB Plane numbered 70, while assigned to William B. Lynch, 319FS, midair collision with 43-103513.  Both pilots killed.
. 2 Jul  44 . . Davis, Barrie Spilman O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
6336 2 Jul 44 44-13418 North American P-51D-5-NAMustang Dean, Cecil O. O1703099 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 15 Mi. N E Of Budapest, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Germany. Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane numbered 17, named *Theda*, while assigned to Cecil O. Dean, 317thFS, 325thFG
6337 2 Jul 44 44-13463 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Murphy, William A. O-807590 317FS 325FG 15AF  POW Location, 15 Mi. N E Of Budapest, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. 3 Jul 44 . . Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Giurgiu, Rumania
. 3 Jul 44 . . Houghton, Jack O-542201 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Giurgiu, Rumania
. 3 Jul 44 . . Myers, Stewart E O-816145 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Giurgiu, Rumania
. 3 Jul 44 . . Stacy, Leland J Jr O-816171 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
6818 2 or 7 ?

Jul 44

 43-24895 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Soltesz, Frank C. O-697232 318FS 325FG 15AF POW

Location, 49° 12' N 18° 25' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. MIA, 318FS, 325FG

Hi, I want to correct something.43-24895, numbered 63,  lost Jul, 1944. I do not know about serial number, but on the day when lost, July , 1944 piloted by Frank Soltesz it was battle number 50! I have it on crash photos. http://www.airwarsk.sk/soltesz.html
It crashed in Slovakia. Regards Peter Kassak Plane, numbered 63, while assigned to Richard Deakins, 318FS, European Theatre: Germany, Bratislava POW Camp Bratislava Czechoslovakia 48-17
. 6 Jul 44 . . Houghton, Jack O-542201 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 6 Jul 44 43-7015 North American P-51B-5 Mustang Noe, Roy F O-701143 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 45, crashed
6513 6 Jul 44 44-13482 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Ostrom, Kenneth K. T-123198 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 12 Mi. S E Verona, Italy, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. North African Theatre: Italy, Stalag 7A Moosburg Bavaria 48-12 (Work Camps 3324-46 Krumbachstrasse 48011, Work Camp 3368 Munich 48-11), Plane numbered 32
. 7 Jul 44 . . Bond, Jack H O-668395 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Jul 44 . . Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
Conflict 7 Jul 44 43-24849

North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang

 . . 318FS 325FG 15AF .

Plane numbered 59,  wrecked, as Mike Mucha points out (43-24849 was lost by the 332nd FG on July 6, 1944 according to:
AAIR Database Search) extra info 43-24894 was lost by the 332nd FG on October 13, 1944 (MACR 9085)It might have been repaired and transferred to the 332nd ? Or my source was in error.
Conflict 7 Jul 44 44-13425 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Casselberry, Donald E. T-186036   325FG 15AF  POW North African Theatre: Sicily, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11Conflict , MIA, must have returned see 6 Aug 1944, Harry Long
. 8 Jul 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 8 Jul 44 42-10463 Curtiss P-40L-1-CU Warhawk Taylor, Ralph G. "Zack"  O-659772 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 13, usually flown by Capt. Ralph G. "Zack" Taylor, condemned inventory Jul 8, 1944 (may be 'Duchess of Durham '. Ralph 'Zack' Taylor Jr. of the 317th FS, 325th FG named all of his aircraft 'Duchess of Durham'. He transferred into the 325th from the 57th
. 8 Jul 44 42-103932 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Johnson, Robert C . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later condemned MIA Aug 13, 1944 , Lenard H. Leppard
Mentioned in 2809 8 Jul 44 42-75962 (As per MACR 2809) Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt (As per MACR 2809) Ridgway, William M. FOD date 9 Jul 1945 O-665230 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Dallas County, TX. Entered the Service from, Texas, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
. 9 Jul 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 9 Jul 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 10 Jul 44 44-13376 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Pomerantz, William O-807602 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 63 while assigned to Richard Deacons, 318FS,  Plane damaged in landing accident
. 13 Jul 44 44-13484 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Ames, Victor H . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Pilot bailed out, Foggia/ 10mi S, Italy
. 14 Jul 44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
. 16 Jul 44 . . Black, Raymond M M O-885272 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Jul 44 . . Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Jul 44 . . Williams, Edwin R O-820623 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 17 Jul 44 42-103498 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Maher, Joseph F . 319FS 325FG 15AF DNB Plane numbered 57, Pilot killed in crash, 319FS, 325FG, Cutella Gunnery Range, plane was condemned crash landing on Jul 18, 1944
. 19 Jul 44 . . Myers, Stewart E O-816145 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Jul 44 . . Oxner, Jim R O-797887 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 19 Jul  44 . . Schmerbeck, David J O-815773 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 Jul 44 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 21 Jul 44 43-24776 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Black, Robert M M O-885272 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane badly damaged in a crashed belly landing, Lesina, Italy
. 22 Jul 44 42-103501 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 13, named *My Gal Sal* assigned to Wayne L..Lowry, Salvaged, 7-22-44
Mentioned in MACR 440, page 6 23 Jul 44 . This is FOD date see 22 Jul 43 MACR 452 Boone, Mark P. T-186031 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Indiana, Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.
. 23 Jul 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
7039 23 Jul 44 42-103447 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Watkins, Austin F., Jr O-820375 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Warwick County, VA. Location, Approx, 1 Mile S Of Andrijevica, Yugo, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy.  Plane, numbered 31,  (325th FG, 317th FS) MIA Jul 23, 1944. MACR 7039 I also have this as MIA, 7 June 1944,  Austin F. Watkins so I cannot confirm the information at this time 
. 24 Jul 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 25 Jul 44 42-106850 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane was assigned to Harold Wolfe, Harold also had a P-51D ? serial unknown, numbered 15, named * The Lone Wolf*, numbered 15,  while assigned to Harold Wolfe, 317FS, crashed (317FS), (325FG) details unknown at this time
. 25 Jul 44 . . Greve, Henry C O-810357 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 25 Jul 44 . . Wolfe, Harold C O-816193 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 25 Jul 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 26 Jul 44 . . Bond, Jack H O-668395 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Austria
. 26 Jul 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories, he also had service with 338FG
. 26 Jul 44 . . Farnham, Sheldon W O-429384 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 26 Jul 44 . . Hinton, Walter R O-660265 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. . 44-13440 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Hinton, Walter R O-660265 317FS 325FG 15AF . Assigned plane named "Bailzout II" coded number 30
. 26 Jul 44 . . Kinney, John F O-705072 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Austria
. 26 Jul 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 44 . . Peery, John E Jr O-399550 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Austria
. 26 Jul 44 . . Strauss, Edward T O-816174 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Austria
. 26 Jul 44 . . Tatman, Paul P O-816178 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Jul 44 . . Woodman, Verner A Jr O-820662 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
7120 26 Jul 44 43-24893 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Self, Horace H. Jr. O--820333 . 325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Davidson County, TN. Location, Over Guszwerk, Austria, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy.  Plane numbered 99, while assigned to Raymond E. Hartley, 325th FG, 319th FS
7119 26 Jul 44 44-13271 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Greve, Henry C. O-810357 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 16 Mi. S W Szombathely, Hungary, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy,  numbered 20, assigned to Henry Greve, 319FS,  (325th FG, 317th FS) lost Jul 26. European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11.
. 27 Jul 44 . . Conant, John P  O-818342 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jul 44 . . Brown, Robert Harold

O-1691696

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jul 44 . . Houghton, Jack O-542201 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Jul 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
7108 27 Jul 44 42-103499 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Thompson, John R . 318FS 325FG 15AF  MIA .
. 28 Jul 44 . . Edwards, Gerald B  O-675683 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jul 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jul 44 . . Emmert,  Benjamin H Jr O-666903 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 28 Jul 44 . . Paulk, Jensen O-665202 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
7112 28 Jul 44 44-13508 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Roper, John O-821782 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 75 Mi. N Ploesti, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Middle East Theatre: Rumania. Tsumori POW Camp, Osaka Honshu 34-135; Or Unstated camp, Roumania 45-21, Plane numbered 26, named *Terrible Terry VI*, 317thFS, 325thFG
. 30 Jul 44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 30 Jul 44 . . Novotny, George Peter O-796185 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also served in 54FG
. 30 Jul 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
Conflict 30 Jul 44 42-106666 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang Cheney, William B . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane badly damaged in take off accident, Lesina, Italy (see 31 Aug 44)
. 31 Jul 44 . . Emmert,  Benjamin H Jr O-666903 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 31 Jul 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 4 victories
. 31 Jul 44 . . Reynolds, John W O-1703103 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 31 Jul 44 . . Terry, Wesley B

T-002638 later

O-1692759

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 31 Jul 44 . . Woodman, Verner A Jr O-820662 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
7155 31 Jul 44 44-13364 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Winn, Bobbie . 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA Location, 43°56' N 25°64° E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Plane numbered 59, named *Stormy Gail*, while assigned to William H. Walker, (325th FG, 318th FS)
3468 1 Aug 44 42-75736 (As per MACR 3468) Republic P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt (As per MACR 3468) Mallett, Walter J. FOD date 2 Aug 1945 O-799205 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Warren County, MS. Entered the Service from, Mississippi, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. Location, Mrzla Vodisa Vicinity, Yugoslavia. Point Of Departure, Foggia # 1, Italy
. 3 Aug 44 . . Bond, Jack H O-668395 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Manzell Aircraft Factory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Brown, Robert Harold

O-1691696

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Fitch, Arthur J

O-811877

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 3 Aug 44 . . Loftus, Harold R

O-815728

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Reynolds, John W O-1703103 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 3 Aug 44 . . Strauss, Edward T O-816174 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, over Manzell Aircraft Factory
. 3 Aug  44 . . Toner, James V Jr O-393161 HQ 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 5 Aug 44 42-103410 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Schachner, Lawrence I O-710769 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 80 while assigned to Bruce Cobb, 319FS, plane transferred renumbered 40, while assigned to James V. Toner, Jr., 318FS, plane then renumbered 45, Plane damaged in crash landing, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later (325th FG, 318th FS) missing Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10588, Philip Sangermano
. 6 Aug 44 44-13425 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Long, Henry L O-817054 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed,  ground looped, Lesina, Italy
. Aug 44 . To Tarquinia Airfield back to Lesina . . 319FS 325FG 15AF .

For several days missions were flown against heavy gun positions defending the French coast. Just prior to the actual invasion planes of the 319th were transferred to the Tarquinia Airfield in order to provide better coverage for troop carrying C-47s which we were to escort.

Our missions were carried out successfully with no losses of either planes or personnel and the squadron moved back to Lesina to continue attacks on the enemy’s war industries and lines of communication
. 7 Aug 44 . . Davis, Barrie Spilman O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 7 Aug  44 . . Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 44 . . Tatman, Paul P O-816178 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 44 . . Wolfe, Harold C O-816193 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 7 Aug 44 44-13275 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Downer, John D . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed in crash landing, Lesina, Italy
. 10 Aug 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 10 Aug 44 42-103580 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Woodson, Samuel T . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later condemned for salvage Nov 18, 1944
7201 10 Aug 44 44-13436 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang  Isackson
 Edward J		 O-702805 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Clearwater County, MN. Location, 25 Mi. N Of Skoplje, Yugoslavia, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
. 15 Aug 44 . . Hamilton, Frank W.  O-659702 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Ohio, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 15 Aug 44 43-24822 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Wipperfurth, Paul M O-706091 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 63, while assigned to Richard Deacons, 318FS,  Plane damaged in ground loop
. 15 Aug 44 43-24890 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Smith, Joe H Jr . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 17, named *Dottie * while assigned to Ernest Pleasant, 317FS, transferred to 319FS no details, plane damaged in taxiing accident
. 15 Aug 44 44-13423 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Bass, Robert S O-810294 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane destroyed in taxiing accident, Tarquinia, Italy
. 17 Aug 44 44-13280 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Dowiatt, Richard D O-702775 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 29, while assigned to John Downer, 317FS, plane damaged in take off accident
. 17 Aug 44 42-103519 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 24, while assigned to Barry S Davis, 317FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 80 while assigned to Bruce Cobb, 319FS, plane damaged in a landing accident
. 18 Aug 44 42-103932 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Leppard, Lloyd H.  O-817052 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Pennsylvania, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. , Plane condemned MIA Aug 13, 1944
. 19 Aug 44 42-103455 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Weers, Norval W . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 49, named *Tennessee's Partner*,  while assigned to John Gaston, 318FS, plane damaged in landing accident, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later MIA/12-9-44/George F. Campbell, 325th FG, 318th FS,  captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10729.
. 19 Aug 44 44-13291 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Haertel, Dale C . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 65, named * Maryanne Boots * , while assigned to Robert Garcia, 318FS, involved in a weather related accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later crashed, 11-24-44, Richard Deacons
. 21 Aug 44 42-103431 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Cobb, Bruce C O-797790 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Plane numbered 80, named "Little Joe Too", while assigned pilot Bruce Cobb, 319FS condemned MIA Aug 21, 1944
. 21 Aug 44 . . Brown, Robert Harold

O-1691696

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Aug 44 . . Davis, Barrie Spilman O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 2 victories
. 22 Aug 44 . . Hinton, Walter R O-660265 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Aug 44 . . Ritter, Elvador E O-710762 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Aug 44 . . Troutt, Richard A T-125030 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
Conflict 22 Aug 44 44-13269 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Lintz, James P O-701775 317FS 325FG 15AF  POW

European Theatre, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11

date: 22-August-44
target: Odertal (now: Zdzieszowice in Poland)
pilot: Lt. James P. Lintz 317th FS/325th FG
a/c: P-51D #44-13269
last seen or crashed: 1718N 4726E, 11:45
pilot status: bailed out, landed OK, POW/ yes Sagan, stalag Luft 3. Plane listed , missing in action, 317thFS, 325thFG (as Mike Mucha points out, 44-13269 was lost by the 31st FG on August 22, 1944 according to: AAIR Database Search
. 22 Aug 44 44-13376 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Deacons, Richard . 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA/Rtn Numbered 63, while assigned to Richard Deacons, 318FS, 325FG, missing on Ops., 318th FS, 325thFG,Plane assigned to Richard Deacons, do not know if he was flying it this day, plane was Salvaged/Repaired, 1 May 47
. 22 Aug 44 42-103556 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Noe, Roy F O-701143 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 24, named *Honey Bee* while assigned to Barrie S. Davis, 317FS, transferred to 318FS, renumbered 55,  severely damaged in a ground loop
. 23 Aug 44 . . Bass, Robert S O-810294 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug 44 . . Bond, Jack H O-668395 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Farnham, Sheldon W O-429384 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Green, Herschel Harper O-659656 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot also serves in 57FG and 79FG
7960 23 Aug 44 43-24865 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hawkins, Donald D. O-766520 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 35 Mi. S W Vienna, Austria, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, , originally numbered 39, named *Tarheel II*, assigned to Cullen J. Hoffman, 317FS, it was transferred to 319FS,  renumbered 94, renamed *Missouri Mule* assigned pilot was Donald D. Hawkins, (325th FG, 319th FS) lost over Austria Aug 23, 1944. MACR 7960 On 23 Aug 44 around 470 B-17s and B-24s bombed industrial areas S of Wien, an aircraft engine factory at Wiener Neudorf, the Vosendorf oil refinery and an airfield near Markensdorf.
. 23 Aug  44 . . Johnson, Fred G

T-124893

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Peery, John E Jr O-399550 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Schachner, Lawrence I

O-710769

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 2 victories
. 23 Aug  44 . . Terry, Wesley B

O-1692759

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Aug  44 . . Woodman, Verner A Jr O-820662 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Aug 44 . . Dunkin, Richard William O-672583 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory, he also had service with 338FG
. 24 Aug 44 44-13449 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Hinton, Walter R O-660265 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 24 Aug 44 . . Brown, Robert Harold

O-1691696

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Aug 44 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 24 Aug 44 . . Wipperfurth, Paul M

O-706091

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 27 Aug 44 42-103410 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Noe, Roy F O-701143 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 80, while assigned to Bruce Cobbs, 319FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 40, while assigned to James V. Toner, Jr., renumbered again to 45, damaged in ground loop, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later (325th FG, 318th FS) missing Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10588, MIA, 12-9-44, Philip Sangermano
. 31 Aug 44 43-24822 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane was assigned to Richard Deacons, numbered 63, condemned to salvage
. 31 Aug 44 42-106666 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang Strait, Gerald H . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane damaged in crash belly landing, Lesina, Italy see (30 Jul 44)
. 1 Sep 44 44-13288 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Emmert, Benjamin H O- 666903 318FS 325FG 15AF POW European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane, numbered 47,  while assigned to Benjamin Emmert
. 1 Sep 44, see 22 Aug 45 44-13270 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Granville, James O,  O-730454 317FS 325FG 15AF . I think this might be the 2nd #21 the first being a P-51B, serial unknown to me,  numbered 21, named *Strolling Jim *, led an attack on a Hungarian Airfield destroying 38 planes on the ground (He also flew P-47D named *Dirt Dishing Daisey* which was also numbered 21  This Mustang was Destroyed./6-13-44. He received the DFC for this mission
8330 1 Sep 44 44-13501 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Steere, Lowell B . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Location, 10 Mi. S Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Strafing railroad at Debrecen, on second pass hit by small arms fire, lost oxygen system, plane was losing altitude on return, bailed out, taken by civilians to partisan's HQ, Yugoslavia. Plane, numbered 22
. 1 Sep 44 43-24905 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Bass, Robert S O-810294 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 18 named *Volunteer II*  while assigned to Robert Bass, 317FS, 325FG as this plane was transferred out to the 332nd FG, and lost Oct 13, 1944. MACR 9087
. 1 Sep 44 43-25136 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Pleasant, Earnest R . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 2 Sep 44 43-24855 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane usually assigned to Sam E. Brown, numbered 66 named *Rowdy II*, condemned to salvage, 2 Sep 44
. 3 Sep 44 . . Terry, Don B O-712057 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
. 4 Sep 44 44-13280 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Taylor, John M . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 29, while assigned to Jim Downer, plane badly damaged when it was ground looped during take off, Lesina, Italy, plane had been repaired by 13 Sep 44
. 7 Sep 44 43-25152 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Rebb, Arthur K O-822264 318FS 325FG 15AF . Named * Grace* while assigned to 318FS, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
8757 8 Sep 44 42-103507 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Rogers, Thomas H . 319FS 325FG 15AF  MIA Location, 1/2 Mi. N W, Of Ecka A/D, Yugoslavia, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Plane numbered 76, while assigned to David J. Schmerbeck, Hit by AAA while strafing the Ecka airport, Ecka, Yugoslavia
  9 Sep 44 42-103436 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 68, assigned to Charles Williamson, Salvaged, 9-9-44
. 14 Sep 44 44-13262 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Terry, Don B O-712057 317FS 325FG 15AF DNB Hometown: Fisher County, TX, Killed due to strutal damage, Lesina Italy
. 15 Sep 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 15 Sep 44 . . Simons, John Mack O-816167 317FS 325FG 15AF   Claims 1 victory
8761 15 Sep 44 43-24889 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Lynch, John F.  O-821515 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Connecticut, Buried at: Plot D Row 4 Grave 34, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Purple Heart. Plane, numbered 32. Location, 38°4' North 23°33' East, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
. 17 Sep 44 . . Noeth, Arthur F., Technical Sergeant 32299135 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, New York, Buried at: Plot E Row 15 Grave 21, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy., Awards: Bronze Star
. 17 Sep 44 . .   Lowry, Morgan H, FOD date 18 Sep 45 O-668601 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Mississippi, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
8750 21 Sep 44 44-13272 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Strait, Gerald W . . 325FG 15AF . Location, 15 Mi, S W, Zagreb, Yuge., Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
8751 21 Sep 44 44-13416 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Troutt, Richard A, FOD date 22 Sep 45 O1692832 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Texas, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart. Plane numbered 16, named *Dottie*, while assigned to John Senefton. Location, 20 Mi, N W Dubrovnik, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy
. 24 Sep 44 44-13292 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Shoemaker, Felice . 317FS 325FG 15AF MIA Numbered 34, named *Eileen Honey*, while assigned to Victor Ames, crashed
. 30 Sep 44 42-106881 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 38,while assigned to Gerald Edwards,  crashed /repaired, (317), (325FG),  Collision/23 Jun 45 
8978 4 Oct 44 44-13456 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Lowry, Wayne Leon O-665211 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 25 Mi. E Of Treviso, Italy, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. North African Theatre: Italy, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, 317FS, 325FG
. 6 Oct 44 43-7022 North American P-51B-5 Mustang Bolen, John J . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane transferred  to 352nd FG, 
. 7 Oct 44 44-13299 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Crosby, Ben T Jr   317FS 
325FG
 15AF . Numbered 7, named * THISISIT*, while assigned to Richard Dunkin, 317FS,  reassigned to Robert Greiner, 317FS still numbered 7, renamed * Donna Rae *, damaged in landing accident, 317FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane salvaged/9-7-45
. 7 Oct 44 . . Soper, William E, FOD date 8 Oct 45 T-060170 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Tennessee, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.
. 8 Oct 44 42-28215 Republic P-47D-26-RA Thunderbolt Mooney, Francis T . 315FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in take off accident, 315FS,
. 12 Oct 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 12 Oct 44 . . Heimbeck, Jervis V O-702798 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 12 Oct  44 . . Long, Henry L Jr O-817054 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 12 Oct 44 . . Whitmire, Clyde C O-694105 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
9082 12 Oct 44 43-24852 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Videto, Richard H. O-820367 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD

Location, 35 Miles West Of Budapest. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Hometown, Hudson,Middlesex County, MA, HONORED BY, Mrs. Phyllis Walsh, Sister, FIGHTER PILOT STATIONED IN ITALY, DIED. KILLED IN STAFFING MISSION OVER HUNGARY. 37 MISSIONS. Plane numbered 87, named *Gravel Gertie/Delightful Dee* while assigned to Jack H. Bond
. 12 Oct 44 43-24876 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang McDaniel, Gordon H O-807583 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 83, named * Margaret V. *, while assigned to Edward Strauss, 319FS, plane transferred   318FS, renumbered 54, renamed * Madeline *, while assigned to Paul M. Wipperfurth, damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later (325th FG, 318th FS) lost Apr 8, 1945. MACR 13976 
. 12 Oct 44 43-25142 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Johnson, Fred G T-124895 later O-1540382 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 47 assigned to Hibbard Forsyth damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane Salvaged/9-2-45
. 12 Oct 44 42-103377 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 12, assigned to Leland Stacey Salvaged/10-12-44 Plane condemned salvage Aug 11, 1945
9087 13 Oct 44 43-24905 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Westmoreland, William G (Not confirmed) . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Location, 47° 13' N 17° 27' E. Hungary, Point Of Departure, Ramitelli Air Base, Italy. Numbered 18, named *Volunteer II*, assigned to Robert Bass, 317FS, 325FG, transferred to (332nd FG) lost Oct 13, 1944. MACR 9087
. 13 Oct 44 44-13312 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Day, William K . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 13 Oct 44 42-103410 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Levedahl, William J, . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 80, while assigned to Bruce Cobb, 319, transferred to 318, renumbered 40, assigned to James V. Toner, Jr, renumbered 45, damaged in taxiing accident
. 13 Oct 44 42-103911 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Bevan, Thomas M O-715446 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 51, named Marjie II, while assigned to Robert Brownell, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10728 see (18 Nov 44), MIA/1-29-44/Robert Brownell
9193 14 Oct 44 43-24900 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Houghton, Jack FOD date 14 Oct 45 O-542201 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 15 Miles S W Of Budapest, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, New York, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. Plane numbered 74, named *Hope IV* while assigned to Jack Houghton
. 14 Oct 44 42-103580 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Raymond, LeRoy R . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane was condemned to salvage Nov 18, 1944
. 16 Oct 44 . . Anderson, Sheldon K O-702741 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories, During an escort mission against the Brux O/R in Czechoslovakia
. 16 Oct 44 . . Kahl, Vernon B O-716164 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories, During an escort mission against the Brux O/R in Czechoslovakia
. 16 Oct 44 . . Voss, Leonard D O-665649 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories, During an escort mission against the Brux O/R in Czechoslovakia
. 21 Oct 44 . . Gaia, John F Jr O-705575 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
9331 21 Oct 44 44-13477 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Johnson, Fred G. O-1540382 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 47°16' N 16°40' E. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane, numbered 53, named *Mary Ann*, while assigned to Sheldon K. Farnham, 318FS,
. 22 Oct 44 44-13506 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Pleasant, Earnest R . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
9450 23 Oct 44 44-13296 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Woodson, Sam . 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA Location, 50 To 75 Miles N W Of Undine, Italy, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Mission to strafe Plzen area, mechanical failure on engine over Alps, crash landed in midst of firefight between partisans and Germans, his plane destroyed by gun fire numbered 58, named *Ann V*, while assigned to Henry Southern, missing from Ops, Devrske, Yugoslavia
. 29 Oct 44 44-13469 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Terry, Don B O-712057 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 31, named *Bad Penney IV*, while assigned to Don Terry,  crashed
. 2 Nov 44 44-13451 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Davis, Barrie S O-811865 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 24, named * Bee *, assigned to Barrie S. Davis, later reassigned, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 3 Nov 44 . . Carswell, William K O-736104 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 Nov 44 . . McDonald, Norman Leroy O-430835 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Pilot had prior service with 2PS, 52PG and 20PG
. 5 Nov 44 . . Newell, Robert O O-410944 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 5 Nov 44 . . Rau, Oscar Jr O-710831 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 4 victories
9693 6 Nov 44 42-106500 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang (Do not think this is the correct plane) Rebb, Arthur K. O-822264 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 43°10' N, 16°13' E, Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, Michigan, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart. Plane numbered 41,  named *Muriel*
. 7 Nov 44 42-103560 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Bradley, Jack R Jr . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 78, named "Soko", while assigned to Stewart E. Myers,  take off accident destroyed by fire, Lesina, Italy, plane was condemned salvage Nov 7, 1944
. 9 Nov 44 42-103580 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Loftus, Harold R O-815728 318FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in mid air collision, Lesina, Italy, plane was condemned for salvage Nov 18, 1944
. 9 Nov 44 42-103581 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Sangermano, Phillip 01691694 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 61, named * Marry Norris *, while assigned to Philip Sangermano, damaged in mid air collision, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane survived, later  captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944
. 9 Nov 44 43-25096 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Hicks, William M . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 31, taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later (325th FG, 317th FS) lost over Austria Feb 22 1945. MACR 12465., MIA/2-22-45/Maurice J. Wasser
. 11 Nov 44 43-6861 North American P-51B-5 Mustang Todd, Thomas H . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 63, named * Funny Face* assigned to Oscar R. Rau, 318FS, plane reassigned retaining number and name to Jerry Hewall, 318FS, taxiing accident, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later Salvaged/9-7-45
. 11 Nov 44 44-13506 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fitzgerald, Robert R . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
9697 12 Nov 44 43-24872 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang House, Charles D.  O-673378 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA  (332nd FG) lost Nov 11, 1944. MACR 9697

confusion here, numbered 98, assigned to Charles D. House, 319FS, (332nd FG) lost Nov 11, 1944. MACR 9697
. 14 Nov 44 43-6861 North American P-51B-5 Mustang Barnett, Gerard T . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 63, named * Funny Face* assigned to Oscar R. Rau, 318FS, plane reassigned retaining number and name to Jerry Hewall, 318FS, taxiing accident, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later Salvaged/9-7-45
. 14 Nov 44 42-103617 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang McBride, Charles P . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 75, named * Linda Joyce * assigned to Jim Perry, 319FS, damaged in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 14 Nov 44 44-13286 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Parked aircraft . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Slight damage in taxiing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 16 Nov 44 44-13451 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Ritter, Elvadore E O-710762 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 24, named *Bee* assigned pilot Barrie S. Davis, 317FS,  reassigned, numbered 24, named * Vicious Virgin * assigned pilot Mike Bolen, 317FS, damaged in landing accident, 317FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane was Salvaged/9-7-45
. 17 Nov 44 44-14453 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Fischer, Robert A O-699011 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Milwaukee County, WI, Plane numbered 23,  Pilot killed bailing out, mid air collision,, 317FS, 325FGLesina, 5mi SE, Italy, collided with 44-13419 (see below)
. 17 Nov 44 44-13419 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Dowiatt, Richard D O-702775 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Hometown: Vermilion County, IL, Plane numbered 12 named, "Watch Ore' the Rhine" while assigned 317FS pilot, LeLand Stacy, still number 12 it was renamed "three bee's" while with 317 pilot John Burman, at the time of the collision it had been renumbered 29, no name is given for it at this time, Pilot killed, mid air collision, 317FS, 325FGLesina, 5mi SE, Italy, collided with 44-14453 ( see above)
. 17 Nov 44 44-13483 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Fitzgerald, Robert R . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 1, named Little Stud while assigned CO Robert Baseler, reassigned, renumbered 26, named * Terrible Terry VII *, assigned to Arne Arneson,   damaged taxiing, 317FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later MIA/1-19-45/George D. Aikens
. 18 Nov 44 42-103911 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Mason, Joe E O-1306614 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 52, named * Marjie II *, assigned to Robert Brownell, 318FS,  damaged in mid air collision, Oct 44), MIA/12-9-44/Robert Brownell
  18 Nov 44 42-103580 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Salvaged, 11-18-44
. 18 Nov 44 42-103580 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Kick, Harold P . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Badly damaged in take off accident, Lesina, Italy, plane was condemned salvage Nov 18, 1944
. 20 Nov 44 44-14440 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Hernly, James M . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 22, named *Speedy* assigned to Harold M. Wilson, reassigned numbered 22, renamed * Mary Nell *, assigned to William H. Taylor,  damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later MIA/2-22-45/William H. Taylor
9952 21 Nov 44 43-24856 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Block, Maurice Jr O-716042 319FS 325FG 15AF DOW Middle East Theatre: Yugoslavia, Died as Prisoner of War, Dressing Station Unstated, Plane numbered 81, named *The Third Dallas Blonde*,  assigned to Donald P. Kerns, 319FS, (325th FG, 319th FS) lost Nov 21, 1944. MACR 9952, MIA/11-21-44/Maurice Block Jr.
2 pilots for the same plane which one is correct? 21 Nov 44 43-24856 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Whitmire, Clyde C O-694105 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Strafing mission of M/T S of Niksic, hit by MG, pulling out hit the land with its tail, pulled up to 14 000f where engine ceased, bailed out on the second attempt, rescued by partisans, Cerovo,Yugoslavia, Plane, numbered 81, named *The Third Dallas Blonde*,  assigned to Donald P. Kerns, 319FS, (325th FG, 319th FS) lost Nov 21, 1944. MACR 9952. shot down while strafing an enemy column in Yugoslavia on 21 November, but returned safely to Italy after a series of adventures with Yugoslavian partisans.
9958 21 Nov 44 44-15062 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Haertel, Dale C. . 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA Strafing mission S of Sarajevo in heavy clouds, hit by flak trying to recover formation and injured. bailed out after 3-4 minutes, plane crashed and destroyed by fire, Kosjeric, Yugoslavia. Plane, numbered 58, crashed and destroyed by fire, Kosjeric, Yugoslavia
. 22 Nov 44 42-103617 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Perry, John E Jr . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 75, named *Linda Joyce*, assigned to John Perry, 319FS damaged in mid air collision, 319FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later Crashed/6-1-45
. 22 Nov 44 42-103919 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Batey, Thomas O . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 77, named * Belligerent Betts * while assigned to Ernest Beverly, 319FS,  damaged in taxiing accident, 319FS, 325FG
Conflict 22 Nov 44 42-106500 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang Schachner, Lawrence I O-710769 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane, numbered 41, named * Muriel * while assigned to unknown, 319FS,  damaged in mid air collision, 319FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane already listed as MIA/11-6-44/A.K. Rebb
. 23 Nov 44 42-103458 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Margetts, William G O-721577 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered A54, named My Lady Margaret / Miss Marilyn, while assigned to Henry L. Long, Jr., 318FS,  damaged in landing accident, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane later MIA/12-9-44/Thomas H. Todd,  captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10784
. 24 Nov 44 44-13292 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Shoemaker, Felice E . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 34, named * Eileen Honey*, while assigned to Victor Ames, 317FS,  destroyed in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 24 Nov 44 44-13291 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Deakins, Richard S O-669875 318FS 325FG 15AF DNB

Hometown: Jonesborough, Washington County, TN, HONORED BY, Mr. John B. Deakins, Brother. Plane numbered 65 named *Maryanne Boots*, while assigned to Robert Garcia, 317FS, Pilot killed in crash
. 26 Nov 44 44-14477 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Williams, Edwin R O-820623 319FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged taxiing, Lesina, Italy
. 26 Nov 44 43-25132 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Agee, Oscar L . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged taxiing, Lesina, Italy
(While in 332FG service) 2 Dec 44 42-106891 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 27, named *Lady Janie VII* while assigned to John Simmons ace 7 victories, Simmons was KIFA on Jan 18, 1961, at Eglin AFB, Florida., 317FS, 325FG it was transferred to 332FG, date unknown to me, (332nd FG, 301st FS) crashed 5 mi S of Dojc, Slovakia Dec 2, 1944 due to engine trouble
. 2 Dec 44 . . Sangermano, Philip 01691694 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD .
. 7 Dec 44 42-103617 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Albin, Theodore G . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 75, named * Linda Joyce *, while assigned to John Perry, 319FS, no further details after transfer to 317FS, damaged taxiing
. 7 Dec 44 44-13493 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Taylor, John M . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged taxiing, Lesina, Italy Possibly numbered 19, named *Ginny’s* 
. 7 Dec 44 42-103617 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Albin, Theodore G, . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 75, named * Linda Joyce *, while assigned to John Perry, 319FS, no further details after transfer to 317FS, damaged taxiing
. 8 Dec 44 44-14506 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Williams, Edwin R O-820623 319FS 325FG 15AF . Badly damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 9 Dec 44 42-103555 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 30, named *Fall’s Out* assigned to Bruce Hinton, Salvaged, 12-9-44
10728 9 Dec 44 42-103911 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Brownell, Donald L O-766413 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Germany, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12. Plane, numbered 51, *Marije II*) captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944 The P51's were escort to a single P38 recognisance a/c serial number 44-24710 of the 5th FRG, 32nd FRS, piloted by Lt. Don E. Walters
10588 9 Dec 44 42-103410 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Sangermano, Philip 01691694 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, Unknown. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Hometown: Hillsborough County, NH, Plane numbered 80 while assigned to Bruce Cobb, 319FG, then 40 assigned to James V. Toner, Jr., 318FS and renumbered to 45,   (325th FG, 318th FS) missing Dec 9, 1944
10784 9 Dec 44 42-103458 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Todd, Thomas Hearell O-664086 318FS 325FG 15AF  POW Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Czechoslovakia, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Plane numbered A54,  (325th FG, 318th FS, *My Lady/Miss Marilyn*) captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944. MACR 10784 The P51's were escort to a single P38 recognisance a/c serial number 44-24710 of the 5th FRG, 32nd FRS, piloted by Lt. Don E. Walters
. 9 Dec 44 42-103555 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 30, named "Falls Out" while assigned to Bruce Hinton,condemned salvage 9 Dec 44
. 9 Dec 44 44-11234 North American P-51D-5-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA/Rtn Numbered 40 then 52, named *Shimmy IV* while assigned to Chester Sluder, reassigned to Norval Weers, retaining number and name, , MIA this date, 318thFS, 325thFG, it returned to service, renamed * Rugged Devil/Buckeye Belle * number remained 52, assigned to Richard D. Christman, 318thFS. finally Salvaged 7 Sep 45, 
10727 9 Dec 44 44-15174 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Weers, Norval W. O-708775 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy.European Theatre: Czechoslovakia, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Plane numbered 40 while assigned to Jimmy Toner, 318FS, 325Fg
10364 9 Dec 44 44-13470 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Mochak, Ralph J.  O-722137 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 40 Miles S E Of Salzburg, Austria. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, Connecticut, Buried at: Plot K Row 26 Grave 19, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, Awards: Purple Heart. Plane numbered 28, named *Wampy Special/Mugs*, while assigned to John P. Conant
10729 9 Dec 44 42-103455 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Campbell, George F. O-715470 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, New York, Buried at: Plot D Row 10 Grave 27, Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium, Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Plane numbered 49, *Tennessee's Partner*) captured by Luftwaffe Dec 9, 1944.
. 15 Dec 44 42-103581 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 50,  badly damaged in landing accident, The plane was renumbered 61 named *Marry Norris* while assigned to 318FS pilot Philip Sangermano it was subsequently re-assigned before it's 15 Dec 44 accident)
. 15 Dec 44 44-13435 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Dobretzberger, Erwin . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 37, named * Sissy Squirt *, assigned to Hanson, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later Salvaged/9-7-45
10674 17 Dec 44 42-103562 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Schachner, Lawrence I. O-710769 318FS 325FG 15AF  POW Location, 46°53°N 17°26°E. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Hungary, Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12, Plane, numbered 48, named "Little Bastard", while assigned to Verner A. Woodman, Jr.
. 17 Dec 44 42-103596 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang Christman, Richard D O-721345 318FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 44, named *Flossie/Spirit of Milwaukee County*, while assigned to Paul B. Dowd, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy. This plane was later named *Terry Toons* retaining the number 44.plane later condemned salvage Sep 2, 1945 
. 18 Dec 44 43-24827 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Alexander, John D Jr O-721301 318FS 325FG 15AF . Alexander was the pilot on this mishap. Plane had been assigned to William Pomerantz, 318FS, numbered 56, named *Kid Sime/Sexy Lil*,  badly damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 20 Dec 44 44-13266 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Hitchings, Robert  . 318FS 325FG 15AF .

Plane numbered 66 named *Rowdy III*,  while assigned to Sam E. Brown, badly damaged in belly landing,

. 25 Dec 44 42-103514 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Numbered 89, named * Blazin Harry *  while assigned to Augustine Einwechter, 319FS, 325FG, condemned MIA Dec 25, 1944
. 26 Dec  44 . . Ambrose, David E  O-810788 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 26 Dec  44 . . Wulf, Fred J

O-813279

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
10928 28 Dec 44 44-15357 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Margetts, William G. O-721577 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 49°43° N 15°17° E. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Bratislava POW Camp Bratislava Czechoslovakia 48-17, 318FS, 325FG more information 2/Lt Margetts injured when belly-landed near Pelhrimov He had an engine failure and finally decided to bail out at 8000 feet; however, he could not get his canopy to release. Finally he had to push up with his body and the canopy released but struck Bill in the head and knocked him out. His wingman followed him down and reported he had been in a rather steep dive, hit the top of a hill and rolled over landing in the valley. He was very impressed with the Czech doctors who tended to him but had few medical supplies to work with. He of course was a POW until the end of the war when he returned to the States, was released from the Air Force, and went to work for a civilian company. He passed on in 2004 Plane numbered 43, named *Stonewall II*, while assigned to Leroy Raymond
. 28 Dec 44 43-24858 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hewell, Jerry G O-719331 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 62, named * Elgerie*, while assigned to John W. Reynolds, 318FS, reassigned and renamed * Ginning Jenny/Lucille *, while assigned to Jessie C. Wilkins, damaged in ground loop, Lesina, Italy, plane Salvaged/9-2-45

1945

MACR# Date Serial# A/C Type  Pilot Service# Sqdn Group AF Status Comments
. 1 Jan 45 . . Newell, Robert O O-410944 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims1 victory
. 3 Jan 45 . . Barnes, Bland M Jr O-2039374 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
10900 MACR # given as 11090 5 Jan 45 43-24878 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Longo, Joseph A. O-442527 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA

Location, Inland Approx. 25 Mi. From Soon To Cross Pescara. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, Ohio, Buried at: Plot J Row 13 Grave 48, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Air Medal. Plane numbered 67, named *Mary Dee*, usually assigned to Arthur Fitch, 318FS, Pilot killed plane very badly damaged, Colledoro, Italy
. 7 Jan 45 43-25120 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Agee, Oscar L Jr . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 94, named *Ski Snoot*, while assigned to James R. White, damaged in mid air collision, Italy, plane later, lost over Austria Mar 18, 1945. MACR 13123.plane MIA/3-26-45/James R. White
. 7 Jan 45 43-24809 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Woodstock, Raymond E . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 82, named *Little Bitch *, while assigned to Jervis V. Heimbach, damaged in crash landing, Lesina/ 1/2mi NW, Italy, plane later MIA/3-26-45/Jack Wilhite Plane had also carried the nam *Vera* at one time
. 12 Jan 45 44-13452 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Conway, James T . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 42, named * Betty Lee *, while assigned to Harold Loftus, reassigned to George Barnett, retained number 42 named *Patient Virgin *, damaged belly landing, Lesina, Italy, plane Salvaged/9-7-45
. 16 Jan 45 44-15436 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Bradley, William J.  O-778009 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA

Entered the Service from, Minnesota, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, ItalyAwards: Air Medal.Pilot killed in mid air collision over Adriatic Sea
. 19 Jan 45 . North American P-51D, named "Miss Cathie" coded number 39 Ambrose, David E  O-810788 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Jan 45 . . Bean, Robert W  O-719252 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Jan 45 . . Reid, Robert F  O-710759 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 19 Jan  45 . . McDaniel, Gordon Howard O-807583 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
11275 19 Jan 45 44-13483 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Aiken, George D.  . 317FS 325FG 15AF MIA Location, 12 Mi, N Imotski, Yugo. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Plane numbered 1, named *Lil Stud* assigned to Robert Baseler, CO, 325FG, transferred to 317FS, assigned to Arne Arneson, renumbered 26, renamed *Terrible Terry VII*
. 20 Jan 44 . . Fiedler, Arthur Charles Jr O-808668 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 Jan 45 . . Miller, Edward L  O-695333 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories
11390 20 Jan 45 44-14488 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Bartlett, Horace E. O-719250 . 325FG 15AF POW Location, 34 Mi. S W Regensburg. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Germany, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11
. 20 Jan 45 43-24855 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hopper, Donald  . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 66 named * Rowdy II * while assigned to Sam E. Brown, damaged in landing accident
. 25 Jan 45 43-24897 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Lyon, Harold M . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 29, while with 317FS, Transferred to 319FS renumbered 96,  damaged in crash landing, Lesina, Italy, plane later Crashed,7-20-45, Robert Kelly
. 1 Feb 45 44-14452 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Woodring, Dugan V . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 32, named, * Marlice Jo* while assigned to Max McNeal, damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later MIA/4-5-45/Max McNeal
. 3 Feb 45 44-15147 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Buchanan, Billy H . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina AF, Italy
. 5 Feb 45 44-13458 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF MIA Plane numbered 25, named *Mom's Boy* assigned to John Gaia, 317FS, reassigned to Kenneth Day, retaining number renamed *Day In Day Out*, MIA, 317FS, 325FG, 5 Feb 45
. 6 Feb 45 44-15634 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Mason, Joe E O-1306614 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 63, named * Jan’s Little Joe , while assigned to Joe Mason,  damaged in landing accident, Lesina AF, Italy, plane Salvaged/9-7-45
. 7 Feb 45 44-15117 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Burns, Beverly O . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 73, named * Margarette *, while assigned to Rudy Williams, slight damage in landing accident, 319FS, 325FG, Lesina AF , Italy, plane Salvaged/9-30-45
. 7 Feb 45 43-24867 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 52, named *Shimmy II*, assigned pilot Chet Sluder, 318FS, 325FG, condemned salvage 7 Feb 45
. 8 Feb 45 42-106881 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Buchanan, Billy H . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 38, while assigned to Gerald Edwards, damaged in landing accident
. 9 Feb 45 43-24857 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Cook, Conrad J . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 90, named *Dorothy II*, while assigned to Robert M. Barkey, 319FS, plane was reassigned to Russell Elliot, retaining the number 90, renamed * Sweet Clara II *,  damaged in landing accident, 319FS, 325FG, Lesina, Italy, plane was (319th FS) scrapped in Italy at end of war., Salvaged/9-7-45
  9 Feb 45 43-25152 this accident report is in conflict with MACR 12518, 28 Feb 1945 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Kurtzman, Kenneth R . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Pilot bailed out mid air collision,  Lesina, Italy, (325th FG, 318th FS) condemned Feb 28, 1945. MACR 12518
  9 Feb 45 43-25136 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Graf, Merlen D 02059766 317FS 325FG 15AF DNB Hometown: Natrona County, WY, Pilot killed in crash, Chieuti/3mi E, Italy
. 10 Feb 45 44-15683 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Day, William E . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Colone (Foggia #1), Italy
12189 12 Feb 45 43-24861 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Apodaca, Paulino  O-766386 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, Unknown. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, California, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, ItalyAwards: Air Medal. Plane numbered 91, named *Honey Jo* assigned pilot, Sheldon K. Anderson, reassigned, retaining number and name to Antony Cvitanovich
. 12 Feb 45 44-63186 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Levendahl, William J . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 16 Feb 45 . . Selenger, Walter K O-724989 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
12149 16 Feb 45 44-13466 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Crosby, Ben Tillman, Jr O-697257 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, App. 35 Mi. S W Munich, Germany. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. Entered the Service from, Florida, Buried at: Plot E Row 8 Grave 11, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France, Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Plane numbered 18, named *StarDust *, while assigned to Ben T. Crosby, Jr.Hometown: Avon Park, Highlands County, FL, Honored by John F. Parker, Brother-in-law, PILOT, 15TH AIR FORCE. KILLED IN ACTION RETURNING FROM A MISSION,
12456 19 Feb 45 44-15714 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Fitzgerald, Robert R O-817005 317FS 325FG 15AF  POW Location, 5-10 Mi, S E Of Melk, Aus. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Austria, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane numbered 8, named *Behind the 8 Ball*, assigned pilot Robert Fitzgerald, lost over Austria Feb 19, 1945
12457 19 Feb 45 43-25055 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Warren, Richard L O2057705 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 47°24' N 15°0' E. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Austria, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane numbered 55
. . 43-25075 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 69, named *Chinese Laundry*, assigned to Lester L. Seevers, 318FS, reassigned to Harold P. Kick, 318FS, 325FG, retaining number and name
12464 22 Feb 45 44-14440 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Taylor, William H O-754230 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 25 Mi, S E Udine, Italy. Point Of Departure, Losina, Italy. North African Theatre: Italy, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane numbered 22, named *Speedy*, assigned to Harold M. Wilson, 317FS, reassigned to William H. Taylor, 317FS, retaining number 22, renamed *Mary Nell*
12465 22 Feb 45 43-25096 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Wasser, Maurice Joseph O-756758 317FS 325FG 15AF  POW Location, Approx, 10 Mi, W Salzburg. Point Of Departure, Lesina, Italy. European Theatre: Germany, Stalag Luft 3 Sagan-Silesia Bavaria (Moved to Nuremberg-Langwasser) 49-11. Plane numbered 31. Mr. Wasser was a fighter pilot based in Italy with the distinguished 325th Fighter Group.He was serving as a second lieutenant when his aircraft was shot down on his 13th mission over Germany
. 24 Feb 45 42-106666 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang Miller, Edward L O-695333 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 24 Feb 45 42-103324 North American P-51C-1-NT Mustang Hopper, Donald . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 11, while assigned to Herschel Green, 317FS, badly damaged in take off accident, Lesina, Italy, plane later condemned crash Jun 25, 1945
. 16 Feb 45 44-13466 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 16, named *Star Dust*, assigned to Ben  T. Crosby
. 26 Feb 45 44-15439 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Steele, William D Jr . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Lesina, Italy
. 27 Feb 45 44-15628 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Miller, Edward L O-695333 317FS 325FG 15AF . Slight damage in landing accident, plane Salvaged/9-7-45
12518 28 Feb 45 43-25152 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Alexander, John D. Jr. O-721301 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 46°13' N 13°27' E. Point Of Departure. Lusina, Italy. Entered the Service from, North Carolina, Buried at: Plot D Row 11 Grave 21, Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, FranceAwards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart. Plane named *Grace*
. 1 Mar 45 . Squadron was ordered to Miramare, a small resort town, just south of Rimini . .. 317FS 325FG 15AF . The move was begun on 1 March, with some of the men and equipment going by truck and others by C-47 transports. The new location proved agreeable to the men, with all of them being housed in unoccupied buildings.
. Mar 45   Rimini Airdrome . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Early in March 1945 the 318th moved again by air to Rimini Airdrome at Miramare, Italy. Operations from this field continued until 2 April when the squadron moved back to Mondolfo Airdrome, which was its last combat base in the MTO. This base, consisting of 2 parallel runways, was shared with the 31st Fighter Group.
. 1 Mar 45 . . Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 1 Mar 45 . . Morey, Carl W Jr O-721495 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
12517 1 Mar 45 44-15480, MACR gives serial 44-18480 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Wulf, Fred J. O-813279 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 47°N 17°55' . Point Of Departure, Lusina, Italy. European Theatre: Hungary, Plane numbered 59, named *ShuShu*, assigned to Norman McDonald
. 2 Mar 45 . Miramare . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . The squadron moved from the Lesina A/D on 2 March to Miramare, a small resort town four miles south of Rimini where the Squadron Headquarters and living area were to be located while operating from the Rimini A/D. Captain E. W. Buckland in the advanced echelon requisitioned a hotel and eleven buildings to be used as sleeping quarters by 319th personnel. It was just like moving from "rags to riches", because never before had our quarters been in a building of this type. After the five days of preparation, on 7 March, the last C-47 transport landed with personnel and equipment. Overnight the new area took on all appearances of a permanent base.
  6 Mar 45 42-75023 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt Young, James H O-2057075 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane  numbered 95, damaged taxiing, Pisa, Italy
. 7 Mar 45 44-63396 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang McBride, Charles P . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Rimini, Italy
. 7 Mar 45 44-15135 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Symasko, Anthony J . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Rimini, Italy
. 9 Mar 45 44-63484 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Brown, Robert H T-061885 later O-1691696 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 65,  damaged in taxiing accident, Rimini, Italy, plane later MIA/3-26-45/L.E. Inks
. 10 Mar 45 42-75996 Republic P-47D-16-RE Thunderbolt Edwards, Thomas M . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 31, crashed, engine failure, Pisa, Italy
. 12 Mar 45 43-24897 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Groff, Richard B . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 29 while assigned to 317FS, transferred to 319FS renumbered 96, damaged in landing accident, Rimini, Italy
13003 13 Mar 45 44-15378 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Anderson, Sheldon K O-702741 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 3 Mi. N E St. Joham, Austria. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Plane numbered 76, named *Honey Jo*, assigned to Sheldon K. Anderson, lost over Austria
. 13 Mar 45 44-13451 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Bolek, Frank M O-722214 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 24 named * Bee * while assigned to Barrie S. Davis, plane reassigned to Mike Bolen, 317FS, retaining number 24, renamed * Vicious Virgin *,  ground looped, Rimini, Italy, plane later Salvaged/9-7-45
. 14 Mar 45 44-13440 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Hinton, Walter Ray  O-660265 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 30, named *Ball’s Out II*, while assigned to Ray Hinton, Transferred in from 31st FG, to 317FS, 325FG, date, fate unknown to me (extra info provided by Mike Mucha, 44-13440 force landed in Soviet-held territory on March 14, 1945 (pilot: Lt. Walter Ray Hinton). Salvaged September 2, 1945)
12994 14 Mar 45 44-63360 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Adamson, Lloyd O-726543 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Hometown: Los Angeles, CA. Location, 47°35' N 18°20' E. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy, FOD date 15 Mar 46
. 14 Mar 45 . . Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 14 Mar 45 . . Bevan, Thomas M O-715446 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 3 victories
. 14 Mar 45 . . Burns, Robert C O-2056898 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Mar 45 . . Chamberlain, James S O-716060 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Me-109
. 14 Mar 45 . . Henry, John B O-763595 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Mar 45 . . Voss, Leonard D O-665649 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Me-109
. 14 Mar 45 44-14467 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang McDaniel, Gordon Howard O-807853 318FS 325FG 15AF . His usual assigned plane was numbered 40 named *Mary Mac*, (Not confirmed this is the plane he used this day) March 14, 1945,  The 318th P-51 pilots outnumbered better than two to one destroyed eighteen (18), probably destroyed one (1), and damaged two (2) FW-190s. First Lieutenant Gordon H. McDaniel destroyed five (5) during this encounter.  This was the day that Mac gained his status of "Ace in a Day". On this day, Mac shot down five German FW 190's in this single mission. He was one of the few American pilots to ever do this.
12993 14 Mar 45 44-13430 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Murphy, Paul J. O-745473 318FS 325FG 15AF MIA Claims 1 victory. Missing location, 20 Mi. West Of Budapest. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Plane numbered A47, named *Lady Jane/McGuire*, assigned to Fred Wulfe, 
. 14 Mar 45 . . Pace, Joseph G

O-559320

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Mar 45 . . Parker, Harry Alfred

O-801747

 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 14 Mar 45 . . Selenger, Walter K O-724989 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Mar 45 . . Dytrych,  Joseph R  O-767161 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Mar 45 . . Bevan, Thomas M O-715446 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 16 Mar 45 . . Smith, Grant R O-727567 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
13123 18 Mar 45 43-25120 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang White, James R O-710213 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, Approx, 5 Mi, S W Weiner Neustadt. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Plane numbered 94, named *Ski Shoot*, while assigned to James R. White, lost over Austria 
13124 18 Mar 45 44-15454 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Tyron, Stanley A O-701205 319FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, Approx, 100 Yds S E From Ratton. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. European Theatre: Austria, Plane numbered 78, named *Little Squirt*, assigned to Stanley Tyron
13125 18 Mar 45 44-63500, MACR gives serial 44-63600 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Whitten, John R. O-823189 318FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 30 Mi. N W Kapcsvar, Hungary. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. European Theatre: Hungary. Plane named *Motel Gremlin/Subtle Sunny*
. 20 Mar 45 44-14493 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Coates, Charles O Jr . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Take off accident due to mechanical failure Rimini, Italy, plane later Salvaged/8-23-45
. 20 Mar 45 . . Morey, Carl W Jr O-721495 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 20 Mar 45 . . Wilkens, Jesse C O-2057722 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 22 Mar 45 42-106881 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hopper, Donald . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane, numbered 38 , while assigned to Gerald Edwards, 317FS, no information on 319FS, service,  taxiing accident, Rimini, Italy
. 22 Mar 45 . . Noe, Roy F O-701143 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 23 Mar 45 43-25142 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Goodding, Alan C . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 47, while assigned to Hibbard Forsyth, 318FS, slight damaged in taxiing accident, Rimini AF, Italy
. 26 Mar 45 . . Barnes, Bland M Jr O-2039374 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories, FW-190s
13483 26 Mar 45 43-24809 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Wilhite, Jack W . 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Location, Czech. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Plane numbered 82, named *Little Bitch* usually assigned to Jervis V. Heimbach, lost over Austria
13214 26 Mar 45 44-15449 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Kahl, Vernon B. O-716164 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 18 Mi. N E Langenlois, Austria. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Entered the Service from, Ohio, Buried at: Plot A Row 44 Grave 47, Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre, Belgium, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Plane named *Baby Dahl*, lost over Austria 
13215 26 Mar 45 44-15679 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Caudill, Robert R. . 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Location, 10 Mi. N E Langenlois, Austria. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Plane numbered 75, assigned to Jervis V. Heinbach
. . 44-63495 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF   Plane numbered 22, named *Rosemary F* assigned to George Wymore
13213 26 Mar 45 44-63484, MACR has 44-83484 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Inks, Lyle E. O-722092 318FS 325FG 15AF FOD Location, 48° 36' N, 15° 38' E. Point Of Departure, Rimini, Italy. Hometown: Calhoun County, MI, Plane numbered 65
. 26 Mar 45 44-63396 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Symasko, Anthony J . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Damaged in landing accident, Rimini, Italy
13377 (332FG service) 1 Apr 45 42-106943 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 47, it was assigned to Ben Emmert, 318FS, 325FG it was transferred to 332FG date unknown to me, (332nd FG) lost over Austria Apr 1, 1945. MACR 13377 
. 1 Apr 45 44-13462 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Parker, Harry Alfred O-801747 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 54, named *Blue Angel*, assigned to Parker, Harry Alfred, 318FS, 325FG, Salvaged 22 Aug 45
. 2 Apr 45   Mondolfo Airdrome . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . 2 April when the squadron moved back to Mondolfo Airdrome, which was its last combat base in the MTO. This base, consisting of 2 parallel runways, was shared with the 31st Fighter Group.
.  Apr 45   Mondolfo Airdrome . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . April when the squadron moved back to Mondolfo Airdrome, which was its last combat base in the MTO. This base, consisting of 2 parallel runways, was shared with the 31st Fighter Group.
. 2 Apr 45 . . Amedro, George E O-777971 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 2 Apr 45 . . McDonald, Norman Leroy O-430835 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories, Pilot had prior service with 2PS, 52PG and 20PG
13642 2 Apr 45 43-24784 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang one source has Southern, Henry E., MACR has Davis, Norman W O-680957 (Southern) . 325FG 15AF MIA Location, 47° 18' N, 15°00' E. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy. Plane numbered A58, named *Charlotte*, lost over Austria Apr 2, 1945. MACR 13642 
13641 2 Apr 45 44-14462 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Parker, Harry Alfred O-801747 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA Location, 46° 45' N- 15° 40' E. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy.  Plane named *Alba Marie Pippen*, Plane numbered 57, lost over Austria. Parker's best friend was Grant Smith the 318th FS OPS officer.  Entered the Service from, New Hampshire, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster.
14148 2 Apr 45 44-14467 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Murphy, Paul J O-745473 317FS 325FG 15AF  MIA Location, 47°35'N - 17° 2' E. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy. Plane numbered 40, named *Mary Mac*, while assigned to Gordon H McDaniel
. 3 Apr 45 . Mondolfo . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . On 3 April the squadron moved again. This time to Mondolfo, a few miles south of Fano and about 30 miles south of Miramare.
. 3 Apr 45 43-24805 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Pannell, Rudolph D . 319FS 325FG 15AF   Damaged in landing accident, Mondolfo, Italy, salvaged 7 Aug 45
. 4 Apr 45 . . Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 4 Apr 45 . . Hewell, Jerry G O-719331 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 4 Apr 45 . . Seevers, Lester F O-2057032 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 4 Apr 45 . . Selenger, Walter K O-724989 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 2 victories
. 4 Apr 45 43-24885 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Kelly, Robert . 319FS 325FG 15AF MIA Plane originally numbered 18, while assigned to Robert Bass, 317FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 70
13644 5 Apr 45 44-14452 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang McNeil, Max Sqdn Commander O-397565 317FS 325FG 15AF POW Location, 12 Miles East Of Munich. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy. Plane numbered 32, named *Marlice Jo*, while assigned to Max McNeil
13645 5 Apr 45 44-13498 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Miller, Edwin L O-405340 317FS 325FG. 15AF KIA

Hometown: Phelps County, NE. Location, 4 Miles S E Lienz, Austria. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy. Plane numbered 11, named *Miss Ridge*, while assigned to Herschell Green, 317FS, reassigned to Ralph L. Fort, 317FS retaining number 11,  renamed *Hell's Angel*, 
. 6 Apr 45 44-63165 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang Smith, Grant R O-727567 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 00, named *Double Nuthin’ *, while assigned to Grant R. Smith,  damaged in taxiing accident, Lecce, Italy. During World War II in July 1942, he went to the Pacific area where he served with the 18th Fighter Group at Guadalcanal and completed a combat tour of duty in P-40 aircraft. In January 1944 he returned to the United States and in April 1944 went to the European Theater of Operations where he completed a combat tour of duty in P-51 aircraft with the 325th Fighter Group. He is credited with destroying two Japanese Zeros and one German ME-109 aircraft in aerial combat.
13976 8 Apr 45 43-24876 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hodges, Hubert E . 318FS 325FG, 15AF MIA Location, 45°20'N-14°20'E. Point Of Departure, Mondolfo, Italy. Escort to Brenner Pass, engine cut near Trieste, tried to return to Zadar but fire started, bailed out 30 km NE of city, RIjeka, Yugoslavia Plane numbered 82, named *Margaret V*, while assigned to Edward Strauss, 319 FS, transferred to pilot Paul M. Wipperfurth,318FS, renumbered 34, renamed *Madeline*
. . 43-24877 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Hogg, Roy B O-794232 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 69, named *Penrod* while assigned to Roy Hogg, 318FS, 325FG, transferred to 4th FG/336th FS/8th AF
. 10 Apr 45 . . Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Apr 45 . . Christman, Richard D O-721345 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Apr 45 . . Forsyth, Hibbard V O-722042 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Apr 45 . . Leonard, James A Jr O-2057647 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Apr 45 . . Mason, Joe E O-1306614 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 10 Apr 45 . . McDonald, Norman Leroy O-430835 318FS 325FG 15AF . Claims1 victory, Pilot had prior service with 2PS, 52PG and 20PG
. . 44-63512 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang McDonald, Norman Leroy O-430835 318FS 325FG 15AF . Assigned plane named "Shu Shu" coded number 66
. 12 Apr 45 44-14480 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang Mertely, Frank . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Badly damaged in landing accident, Mondolfo, Italy
. 19 Apr 45 . . Bagley, Wendell B O-777980 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Apr 45 . . Baldwin, Woodrow P O-665159 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Apr 45 . . Barrett, John O-777987 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Apr 45 . . Bolek, Frank M O-722214 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
. 19 Apr 45 . . Gertin . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Destroyed a FW-190 while slow-timing his airplane over the front lines in Italy
. 19 Apr 45 . . Johnson, Ralph F O-413598 319FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory, Me-262, the first victory over a jet aircraft within our Group, was credited to the 319th Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Major Johnson shot down 18th, claimed on 19th Apr
. 19 Apr 45 . . Schaefer, Frank W O-692202 317FS 325FG 15AF . Claims 1 victory
14031 22 Apr 45 44-15128 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Aron, William Emil O-721323 318FS 325FG 15AF KIA

Plane numbered 46, named *Texas Jessie/Big Mike*, while assigned to William H. Aron. Florence American Cemetery,  Via Cassia, Italy, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. First Lieutenant William Aron flew a total 43 missions, flying the North American P-51 Mustang fighter, and was credited with shooting down five Axis aircraft, qualifying him as an ace. On April 22, 1945 his plane, #44-15128, also known as Texas Jessie, was shot down over the Po River valley. First Lieutenant William E. Aron was reported to have been taken alive from his plane, and escorted away by unfriendly villagers. No further information was ever given to his family, and his body was never recovered. The Army declared him dead on April 23, 1946. 
.  1 May 45 . . Kelly, Emmett J. O2056978 317FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Nebraska, Tablets of the Missing at Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
. 6 May 45 44-15488 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Selenger, Walter K O-724989 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 61, named *Effie Mae/Annabel G.*, while assigned to Walter K. Selenger, crashed/ damaged in landing accident, Mondolfo, Italy
These 2 carried same number and name? see below 30 May 45 44-15093 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang Vidal, Felix L . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 77, named * Belligerent Betts * while assigned to, Felix Vidal,  damaged in landing accident, 319FS, 325FG, Triolo, Italy
These 2 carried same number and name? see above 31 May 45 42-103919 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Vidal, Felix L . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 77, named *Belligerent Betts*, while assigned to Ernest Beverly, 319FS, reassigned to Felix Vidal retaining number and name, crashed 31 May 45,  319FS, 325FG
. . 42-103927 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang . . 318 FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 56
. 1 Jun 45 42-103617 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang, . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 75, named *Linda Joyce*, crashed, assigned to John Perry, 319FS, but not known if he was the pilot that day
. 23 Jun 45 42-106881 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Gerould, Charles E. Jr. O-834997 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, New Hampshire, Buried at: Plot J Row 1 Grave 57, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy. Plane numbered 38, while assigned to Gerald Edwards, 317FS, no information on it's 318FS, number/name,  pilot killed mid air collision, 319FS, 325FG, Rimini/ 20mi S, Italy, Plane was usually assigned to Gerald Edwards when with 317FS.
. 25 Jun 45 42-103324 North American P-51C-1-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane assigned to Green, Herschel Harper, O-659656,  plane was numbered 11, plane was condemned crash Jun 25, 1945
. 28 Jun 45 43-24829 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 14, usually assigned to Paul Tatman, 317FS, 325FG, Salvaged/Damaged/Excess Inventory List, 28 Jun 45
. 8 Jul 45 42-103932 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang Johnson, Robert C   318FS 325FG 15AF   Damaged in landing accident, 318FS, 325FG, Lesina , Italy, plane later condemned MIA Aug 13, 1944, Lenard H. Leppard
. 20 Jul 45 43-24897 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Kelly, Patrick F T-127223 319FS 325FG 15AF DNB Hometown: Los Angeles, CA. Plane, originally numbered 29, 317FS, transferred to 319FS, renumbered 96, Pilot killed in crash, Foggia/ 3mi E, Italy
  11 Aug 45 42-103337 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Named *Helen*  numbered 37, assigned to Arthur Fiedler, Salvaged, 8-11-45
  22 Aug 45 44-13270 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang Taylor, James . 317FS 325FG 15AF MIA Plane numbered 21, named *Strolin Jim*, assigned to James Taylor, MIA,  317FS, 325FG
. 22 Aug 45 44-13462 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 54, named *Blue Angel*, while assigned to Harry A. Parker, 318FS, 325FG, condemned salvage 22 Aug 45
. 23 Aug 45 44-14493 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . salvage
  28 Aug 45 44-15156 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . salvage 
  30 Aug 45 42-103379 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Numbered 37, assigned to Paul J. Kastner, Salvaged, 8-30-45
. 31 Aug 45 43-24869 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 25, while assigned to Eugene Emmons, 317FS, reassigned to John Gaia, 317FS still numbered 25, named *Mom’s Boy*, 318FS, 325FG,  salvage 31 Aug 45
. 2 Sep 45 43-24855 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 66, named *Rowdy II*, usually assigned to Sam E. Brown, 318FS, 325FG,  salvage 2 Sep 45
. 2 Sep 45 43-24814 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang

Not confirmed as the right plane for this pilot

 Jones, Alexander O.Jr. O-431294 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, New York, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart. Plane numbered 79, named *The Blonde Squaw* usually assigned to "Hiawatha Mohawk", 319,FS, 325FG, condemned salvage 2 Sep 45 
. 2 Sep 45 43-24890 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF .  salvage 2 Sep 45
. 2 Sep 45 43-25142 North American P-51C-10-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 47, while assigned to Hibbard W. Forsyth, 318FS, 325 FG, salvage 2 Sep 45 
  2 Sep 45 42-103443 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 73, named *Margaret* assigned to Edwin L. Williams, Salvaged/9-2-45
  2 Sep 45 42-103450 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane number 71, named*Shirley Jean* assigned to Thomas O. Batey, Salvaged, 9-2-45
  2 Sep 45 42-103519 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 80, assigned to, Bruce Cobb, Salvaged, 9-2-45
  2 Sep 45 42-103596 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 44, named *Terry Toons*, assigned to Wesley B. Terry, Salvaged, 9-2-45
  2  Sep 45  43-24814 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang See above . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 79, named *The Blonde Squaw* assigned to Hiawatha Mohawk, Salvaged, 9-2-45
. . 43-24894 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane originally numbered 28, named *The Merry Bee*  while assigned to James C. Dorety, reassigned to John P. Conant, 317FS, 325FG, transferred to 332FG date unknown
  7 Sep 45  42-106489 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Salvaged, 9-7-45
  7 Sep 45  43-24805 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Salvaged, 9-7-45
. 7 Sep 45  42-106489 North American P-51B-10-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane, numbered 22,  to salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45  43-6861 North American P-51B-5 Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 68, named *Funnyface*, while assigned to Oscar R. Rau, 318FS, reassigned to Jerry Hewall, retaining number and name,  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 43-24805 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF .  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 43-24857 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang Barkey, Robert Merrill O-665160 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 90, named *Dorothy II* at this time assigned to Robert M. Barkey, 319FS, reassigned, renamed *Sweet Clara II*, assigned to, Russell Elliot, retaining number 90, salvage, 7 Sep 45
  7 Sep 45 43-24858 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 62, named *Elgerie*, while assigned to John W. Reynolds, 318FS, reassigned to Jessie C. Wilkins, retaining number 62, renamed *Ginning Jenny/Lucille*,  salvage 7 Sep 45
. . 43-7022 North American P-51B-5 Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Transferred to 352FG date and fate unknown to me
. 7 Sep 45 44-11234 North American P-51D-5-NT Mustang  . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane, originally numbered 40, named *Shimmy IV* while assigned to Chester Sluder, it is renumbered 52, it is then reassigned to Norval Weers, MIA/9 Dec 44, it must have returned as it is reassigned to Richard D. Christman retaining number 52, renamed *Rugged Devil/Buckeye Belle* salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-13299 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 7, named *THISISIT*, while assigned to Richard Dunkin, 317FS, reassigned to Robert Greiner, 317FS, retaining number, renamed *Donna Rae*,  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-13435 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 38, named *Sissy Squirt* while assigned to Hanson,salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-13451 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 24, named *Bee*, while assigned to Barrie S. Davis, 317FS, reassigned to Mike Bolen, retaining number renamed *Vicious Virgin*,  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-13452 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 42, named *Betty Lee* while assigned to Harold Loftus, 318FS, reassigned to George Barnett, retaining number renamed *Patient Virgin*, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-13461 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF .  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15131 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 10, named *Stinker Pat*, while assigned to Georgie Hamilton, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15200 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF .  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15284 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 100,named *Dusty Butt*, while assigned to Ralph A. Johnson, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15322 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 53, named *Lucky Bett*, while assigned to Robert O. Newall, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15396 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15474 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 49, named *Apache*,  while assigned to Carl W. Morey, Jr, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15540 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15628 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15631 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 50, named *My Peggy*,  while assigned to Thomas Beven, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15634 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 63, named *Jan’s Little Joe*,  while, assigned to Joe Mason,  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15640 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF .  salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15697 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 91, named *The Partisan*,  while assigned to Antony Cvitanovich, salvage 7 Sep 45
. 7 Sep 45 44-15706 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . .   325FG 15AF . salvage 7 Sep 45
. 30 Sep 45 43-24851 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . salvage 30 Sep 45
. 30 Sep 45 44-13322 North American P-51D-5-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 27, named *Devastating Dottie/Lady Janie VIII*,  while, assigned to John M. Simmons (was an ace with 7 victories, Simmons was KIFA on Jan 18, 1961, at Eglin AFB, Florida), 317FS, reassigned to Felice Shoemaker, 317FS retains number but not the name,  salvage 30 Sep 45
  30 Sep 45 42-103387 North American P-51C-5-NT Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 60, named *Butch II* assigned to Willie Adams Salvaged, 9-30-45
. 30 Sep 45 44-14400 North American P-51D-10-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 57,  while assigned to Harry A. Parker,  salvage 30 Sep 45
. 30 Sep 45 44-15117 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 73, named *Margarette*,  while assigned to Rudy William, salvage 30 Sep 45
. . 44-63682 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . .
. . 44-63889 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 60 while assigned to A.S. Hall, 318FS, 325 FG, Returned to U.S, (c/n 122-31615) to Canadian civil registry as C-FFUZ. Later N4034S
. . 44-64101 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustanga . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Transferred to (2nd SAAF Sqdn) shot down by AAA Sep 12, 1951, Kore
. 10 Oct 45 44-63650 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . . 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 1, named *Virginia Mae* , 325 FG, Returned to U.S./10 Oct 45
. 12 Oct 45 44-63609 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 41, named *The Flying Foxhole/ Argus*while  assigned to Ernest E. Bradley, Sent to Far East/10-12-45
. 4 Nov 45 44-15695 North American P-51D-15-NA Mustang . . 317FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 35, named *Helle’s Belle/Lady Betty*, while assigned to James Doegretzoerger, salvage 4 Nov 45
. 7 Nov 45 . See 12 May 1944 Brower, John L.  O-665168 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Entered the Service from, West Virginia, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 7 Nov 45 Possibly 42-75717, 12 May 1944 Suspect this is a Finding of Death (FOD) Folkes, Joseph T.  O-796117 319FS 325FG 15AF KIA Entered the Service from, Virginia, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 11 Gold Stars, Purple Heart
. 7 Nov 45 . See 12 May 1944 Forrest, John M.  O-672590 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD Entered the Service from, Michigan, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
. 7 Nov 45 . See 12 May 1944 Nuneviller, Edward V. O-814741 319FS 325FG 15AF FOD Entered the Service from, Pennsylvania, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
. 7 Nov 45 . See 12 May 1944 Scott, Richard C. O-816164 317FS 325FG 15AF FOD Entered the Service from, District of Columbia, Tablets of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy, Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
. 30 Nov 45 42-106977 North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang . . 319FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 88, excess inventory list this date
. 6 Oct 46 44-63512 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF .

Plane numbered 66, named *ShuShu/Chuck O*, while assigned to Norman McDonald, salvage 6 Oct 46

I believe #44-63512 might have been landed in Russian-occupied territory on April 2, 1945 and then returned to Italy.
Regards,
Mike Mucha, Poland

. ?/?/46 44-63165 North American P-51D-20-NA Mustang . . 318FS 325FG 15AF . Plane numbered 00, named *Double Nuthin’*, assigned pilot, Grant R. Smith, salvage ?/?/46
. . . . . . . 325FG 15AF .
P-51B/C Incomplete need serial #'s and details if any.
 
Found, 42-28215, listed as Republic P-47D-26-RA Thunderbolt, 325FG, 315FS, 8 Oct 44, Mooney, Francis T
Found, 43-24770 , North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang, 319FS, 325FG, Cobb, Bruce C, plane destroyed 25 May 44
Found, 43-24776, listed as North American P-51B-15-NA Mustang, 21 Jul 44, Black
Found, 43-24822, 15 Aug 44, Wipperfurth, Paul M
Found, 43-25136, 1 Sept 44, Pleasant, Earnest R also 9 Feb 45, Graf, Merlen D, DNB

82 Vera 319 Ray Woodstock, Found 43-24809, 7 Jan 45
83 Betty Lou 319 Fred Brown
84 Janet 319
84 Bill 319
8 Penelope 319
85 Hairless Joe 319 Joe H. Smith
86 Boss Baby 319
88 Sleepy Ann 319 Clint Lightfoot
92 Annie Way 319 Dick Beatty
95 Dottie 319 Robert O. Storey,  possibly 42-75023, 6 Mar 45
Wharf Rat/Galveston Texas 319 Bland M. Barnes Jr

P-51D-5-NA Incomplete
 
44-13???  8 My Darling 317 E.P. McBride
Found, 44-13262, 14 Sep 44, Terry, Don, DNB
44-13???  14 Lady Mary 317 Frank W. Schaefer
44-13269 , see 22 Aug 44
44-13???  15 The Lone Wolfe 317 Harold C. Wolfe
44-13272 , see 21 Sep 44
44-13???  16 Willis B 317  Frank Mertley
44-13275 , see 7 Aug 44, Downer, John 
44-13??? 17  Dottie  317  Ernest Pleasant
44-13286. see 14 Nov 44
44-13???  19  Ginny’s  317  James Taylor. possible 44-13493, see 7 Dec 44
44-13312, see 13 Oct 44
44-13???  35  Helen  317  Arthur C. Fiedler
44-13423, see 15 Aug 44
44-13???  36  Pam  317  Richard W. Dunkin
44-13425, see 6Aug 44
44-13???  37  317  Paul J. Kastner
44-13???  38  Helene and baby Too  317 Gerald B. Edwards
44-14477, see 26 Nov 44, Williams, Edwin R
44-13???  39  317  Cullen J. Hoffman
44-13484, see 13 Jul 44
44-13???  95  Dottie  319  Robert O. Storey, 
44-13493, see 7 Dec 44
44-13449, see 24 Aug 44
44-13???  97  Bucko  319 Robert Carbee
44-13506, see 11 Nov 44

P-51D-15-NA Incomplete

44-15???  9  Blue Eyes  317  Ernest Pleasant
44-15147, see 3 Feb 45
44-15??? 12  Three Bee’s 317 John Burman
44-15???  18  Stout Burr Bon  317  Clement Burr, also see 43-24885, 14 Apr 44
44-15???  20  317
44-15???  23  317  Shaw
44-15???  28  317  Ramirez
44-15???  29  317  John Downer
44-15???  31 Lady Lee  317  George Hund
44-15???  48  Grace/The Second Little Bastard  318  John B. Henry
44-15???  51  Bobbie  318
44-15???  56  318
44-15???  A57 318 Fred Wulfe
44-15???  58 Pug Nose/Tuffy 318 Lawrence Schachner
44-15??? 59  Stonewall III 318 Leroy Raymond
44-15??? 76 319 E.H. Buchanan
44-15??? 78 Hell’s Outcast 319 Paul C. Dickens
44-15??? 79 Squeezie 319  Stan deGeer
44-15???  81 Red  319 Lucien Phillips
44-15???  82  Monte Girl  319  E. Halvorson
44-15???  83  319  Fred Brown
44-15???  85  319 Ray Woodstock
44-15???  92  319 Herman Stearman
44-15???  94 Gloria/Ricky 319 Bob Merrifield
44-15???  98 Lady Jean II 319 Peter Philipy
44-15???  99 Molly 319  Darwin R. Addis
44-15???  101  HQ
 
Home] [Nominal Roll 1940-45] [March Of  The Gladiators] [Gladiators] [K Flight] [112 Sqdn Personnel]  [Claims] [Bases 1939-1946 ] [Bill Barwick] [Plane Losses 1940 -45] [Prisoner of War] [In Memory of]  [Operations Room Book] [ Log Book Extracts] [112 Plane Codes] [Memories] [Letters Home] [RAF Map Napoli 40/14] [[Allied Air Forces in MTO 1942/43]] [USAAF Honor Rolls 1942-1943 MTO] [US Dispatches] [Photos ]