Personnel

CREW



CAPT  CHARLES V. DICKMAN               P     CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN

LT  WILLIAM C."PETE"  PETERS         CP     CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN

LT  WILLIAM R. WALKER                  NAV   CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN

T/SGT JAMES M "PAPPY" RYKEN      TTE    CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN 

T/SGT GILBERT W. KLEIN                ROG   CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN

S/SGT BAXTER Z. WILSON               BTG   CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN

SGT FRED B. FISCHER                      WG    CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN (from crew of Lt Thompson) see crew below

S/SGT GALE E. POWELL                   TG    CPT    24 MAR 45  ZIEGENHAIN



349TH SQUADRON, DATE ASSIGNED: November 14, 1944  

The above list is not drawn from any loading list or offical paperwork. This was based on 100th BG personnel who completed on 24 March 45, were in the 349th BS and had no listed Crew.  This could have some errors so please help if you knoiw anything about this crew?….mpf 2010



Aug 27, 1944 to October 18, 1944 Dyersburg, Tenn. Combat Crew training



Crew flew on Goin My Way



THERE IS NO RECORD OF CAPT DICKMAN'S CREW THAT CAN BE LOCATED…jb & pw



Incomplete list of Mission by: Jack O'Leary

12 DEC       1944    DARMSTADT, MY

24 DEC       1944    BIBLIS

25 DEC       1944    KAISERLAUTERN, MY

3 FEB         1945    BERLIN                              C-SQDN      3338865  XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND 22

23 FEB       1945    TREUCHTLINGEN, RAIL JUNCTION

8 MARCH    1945    LANGENDREER, GIESSEN, MY (S.T.)    B-SQDN     298015   XR- N HUNDRED PROOF  HARDSTAND 23

12  MARCH 1945    SWINEMUNDE, DOCKS   B'SQDN     3338865   XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND  21

14 MARCH  1945    HANOVER, SEELZE         A-SQDN     3338865   XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND  21

15 MARCH  1945    ORANIENBURG, MY        C-SQDN     3338865   XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND  21

21 MARCH  1945    PLAUEN

23 MARCH  1945    UNNA, MARBURG, MY    C-SQDN     3338865   XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND  21 

24 MARCH  1945    STEENWIJK/HAVELTE AIRFIELD      

24 MARCH  1945    ZIEGENHAIN                    D-SQDN     3338865   XR-0 GOIN MY WAY     HARDSTAND  21



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Hi Mr. Faley - I was checking out your website today looking up my uncle.  My uncle is Lt. William R. Walker, navigator on the crew of Charles V. Dickman for the 3/24/45 mission over Ziegenhain.  He was stationed at Thorpe Abbotts. I saw that information is needed on this crew.  The plane my uncle was on is "Going My Way".  My uncle is still living - going on 87 soon.  I've seen photos of my uncle's group in front of their plane - although my uncle can't remember where it is at the moment.  He has his bomber jacket & cap in a trunk.  He said his group flew above another plane in case the first plane was shot down.  He said Baxter Wilson was the tail gunner because he was shortest.

 

My uncle shared a tent with another navigator, Tony Coniglio - who he kept in contact with for many years.  Although my uncle's memory isn't what it used to be he does remember some stories about their group.  One was that Lt. William C. Peters, who they called Pete, had a little too much to drink one night and let it slip that he was a fighter pilot. Next thing he was put on Dickman's crew.  Uncle Bill has other stories as well - and does remember flying 30 missions to fulfill his time.

 

I am encouraging my uncle to find his photos and document his memories for your website.  Please let me know what all you might want for this crew and other areas of interest.  My uncle has no computer but was very interested in helping get information for you.  In his day, my uncle was a meticulous record keeper, if I can get him to open his prized trunk, there is probably a lot of good information and memorabilia.  He has agreed to let me send copies of his photos to you when he locates them.

 

Thank you for your time and the wonderful website in tribute to the 100th BG.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carolynne McComb



Hi Mike - I sent you an email earlier this evening but got an error message (my computer).  So if this is a duplicate, so sorry.

 

I was looking at your website today for information about my uncle.  I found that he was on Lt. Dickman's crew that you have little information for and I'm hoping my uncle can help you.  My uncle is Lt. William R. Walker, navigator, on Lt. Dickman's crew that flew the Ziegenhain mission on 3/24/45.  Although my uncle's memory is not what it used to be, he does remember quite a bit about his war experience and this crew.  He also has his bomber jacket & leather cap in a trunk along with photos of the crew (he just has to remember where he put them) - I've seen them so I know they exist.  My uncle is alive & well, going on 87 and living in Ft. Wayne IN.  He said he flew 30 missions to complete his tour.

 

I talked to him tonight about getting things for your website.  He told me that Baxter Wilson was the BTG because he was the shortest guy in the group.  William Peters "Pete" was added to the group after he had too much to drink and was boasting of being a fighter pilot which was overheard by some higher ups - put Pete to good use.  My uncle shared a tent with Tony Coniglio, another navigator, and they took turns on missions and getting the better breakfasts while at Thorpe Abbotts.  My uncle kept in contact with Tony Coniglio for many years and used to visit him in Florida - don't have any further information on Tony.

 

If you give me an idea of what you'd like for your website, I will encourage my uncle to participate.  He does not have a computer but has agreed to give me copies of his photos to send to you if you would like to have them.

 

Thank you for the wonderful website for the 100th BG.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carolynne McComb

csm3728@msn.com





Hi Michael - Not long after I spoke to you, my aunt & uncle both ended up with many ER trips!  My uncle spent his 87th birthday being admitted to the hospital.  After two hospitilzations & a successful surgery in April my uncle is getting finally getting back to a  regular life.

 

While at the ER with my aunt, my uncle started talking about his crew.  He's a very quiet person that does not openly speak about the war.  I asked him about any funny stories about his crew (we needed some levity) and he told me this (not going to have exact wording):  "Our crew headed out on a mission to bomb a 'strategic' target.  We had the coordinates and when we were in place we dropped our load (bombs).  Pete (William Peters) would always take pictures of our runs.  When we got back to base, Pete's pictures were analyzed and we were told we didn't bomb our designated target.  We wiped out a German toilet seat factory."  He said they got a lot of teasing about that.  The toilet seat factory was camouflaged - probably a decoy.  The intended target was a machine shop or something of that sort.

The man who did the artwork for "Going My Way" was James Ryken - also known as "Pappy" as he was the oldest guy on their crew.







Hi MIke - I am so glad you mentioned the memorabilia.  I will be the person distributing & inheriting my aunt & uncle's possessions when the time comes.  I had made the decision some time ago that Uncle Bill's war things were going to a museum as that's where it belongs.  I had planned on donating everything to the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton Ohio but I would be thrilled to give it to your organization.  Copies can always be made of the photos for me!

 

My aunt said the jacket is in sad shape but that doesn't matter to me.  It still has history.  I find the thought of things going on e-bay sad (actually disgusting!).  My aunt & uncle keep EVERYTHING so his war stuff isn't lost - just packed away in a trunk they have to remember where they put it!!  My aunt & I know where it is, we just have to get my uncle motivated again.  I think the T-shirt would be just what he needs to get him back on the 'mission' to get his stuff out!  What a fantastic & kind offer for you to make!!!

 

Uncle Bill is about 6 ft. and still has his Air Force figure so an XXL should work fine even if it's a little big.  If you would like to send it to him direct, here's his address:  William R. Walker

                           339 W. Packard Ave.

                           Ft. Wayne IN 46807

 

If you have any brochures on the foundation and museum, please include those.  My uncle had no idea all this existed until I told him about it.  I think seeing these things first hand will amaze him.  This is just what he needs!

 

Thank you again very, very much!  I'll be in touch soon - hopefully with a photo or two!

 

Carolynne McComb

Hi Mike - I put the wrong zip code on my uncle's address.  It should be 46807!!  I just spoke to my aunt, my uncle has had a bad week memory wise EXCEPT he started telling war stories one after another & talking about the crew.  We're going to try to record my uncle with a digital recorder!  The man who did the artwork for "Going My Way" was James Ryken - also known as "Pappy" as he was the oldest guy on their crew.  The toilet seat factory was camouflaged - probably a decoy.  The intended target was a machine shop or something of that sort.

 

That's all for now, I have to head out to help transport a dog to his foster home.  I volunteer for a cairn terrier rescue, keeps me busy!

 

Regards,

 

Carolynne

www.cairnrescue.com

 

 

PS - Checked out the new site for the museum displays - very nice!

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Charles V. Dickman



349th Bomb Squadron Pilot; completed his tour in March,1945



3 May,1924- Taps March 10th,2005 in Roswell,New Mexico



I believe Mr. Dickman was assigned the 349th BS a/c "Goin my Way" and was flying this aircraft upon the completion of his tour in March. One 100th BG airman little is currently known about,wish I had the opportunity to have met him.RIP

Jack



THERE IS NO RECORD OF CAPT DICKMAN'S CREW THAT CAN BE LOCATED…jb & PW



JAMES M. RYKEN

407 SEAVIEW DRIVE

EL CERRITO,CA 94530

PHONE  510-559-4688

 

James is currently 94 years, has Parkinson's and can't use his legs. His mind and memory is still very sharp.

Serial # 19137515

Enlisted in San Francisco,CA  10/13/42

Born 1916

Was called Pappy on the crew according to his spouse who I spoke to yesterday. Has an unusual first name and don't want to mis-spell in for the roster.

 

Jack



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CREW



2ND LT DELBERT L . THOMPSON        P CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN  TAPS:

2ND LT ALBERT A. KNEISS             CP CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN

2ND LT LEO R. KIMBALL              NAV CPT DATE & MISSION UNK

2ND LT HAROLD A. SMITH          BOM NOC

S/SGT GEORGE A. RANDOM        ROG CPT 12 MAR 45 SWINEMUNDE

S/SGT JOHN P. LEVENDUSKY      TTE CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN  TAPS:

SGT ROBERT J. SOUHRADA          BTG CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN

SGT FRED B. FISCHER                 WG CPT STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN

SGT ROY L. BECK                     WG CPT 24 MAR 45 STEENWIJK/HAVELTE  & ZIEGENHAIN  TAPS:

SGT VINCE M. BOWLIN                 TG NOC



351ST SQDN..  CREW JOINED THE 100TH ON 02 AUG 1944.. ON 16 OCT 44 THIS CREW, WITH SOME CHANGES, WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE 349TH.  LT TONY CONIGLIO, A NAVIGATOR, WAS ASSIGNED TO THIS CREW LATE IN 1944, REPLACING LT KIMBALL WHO WENT TO THE G. BROWN CREW..jb



 I BELIEVE SGT FISCHER WE REMOVED FROM CREW TO REDUCE TO NINE MEN.  HE WAS THEN PLACED IN SPARE GUNNERS POOL AND ASSIGNED TO THE CREW OF LT CHARLES V. DICKMAN (CANNOT 100% VERIFY MPF 2003) AND COMPETED ON 24 MAR 45.