Personnel

CREW



2ND LT GLENN W. RAKE                       P  CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNCIH,

2ND LT DOUGLAS R. DRYSDALE           CP CPT 29 JUL 44 MERSEBURG,OIL REF & HILDESHEIM (TRANS. TO 364TH FG, SHOT DOWN, EVA)

2ND LT ROBERT L. MISHLER              NAV CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH, 

2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE                 BOM CPT 12 JUL 44 MUNICH, 

S/SGT EDWARD C. ROGERS             TTE CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

S/SGT LEO A. MILLER                     ROG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

SGT EARL E. EVANS                         TG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES

SGT LOUIS TEKEL                           BTG CPT 13 JUL 44 MUNICH, JET ENGINES (crediited with 2 fighers destroyed)

SGT ROBERT J. BOURQUIN               WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK

SGT DAVID M. PFLAUM                    WG CPT DATE & MISSION UNK     TAPS: 31 AUG 1974



351ST SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 06 MAR 1944. (WHAT A DAY TO ARRIVE, THE 100TH LOST 15 AT BERLIN..pw). CREW TRANSFERRED TO 349TH SQUADRON ON JUNE 1, 1944. (MPF 2001)



AFTER 17-20 MISSIONS DRYSDALE TRANSFERRED TO SQUADRON LEAD CREW OF RAY MONRAD AND FLEW MOST OF HIS REMAINING MISSIONS WITH THE MONRAD CREW.  WAS MADE A "LUCKY BASTARD" AFTER 33 MISSIONS AND THEN APPLIED FOR A TOUR IN P-51S. ON HIS SECOND MISSION (AIR BOURNE INVASION OF HOLLAND, OPERATION: MARKET GARDEN) WAS HIT BY FLAK (BRIDGE AT NIJMEGEN) AND WAS HIDDEN BY THE DUTCH UNDERGROUND. RETURNED TO ENGLAND AND SENT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO THE USA OVER HIS OBJECTIONS. HIS COMMANDING OFFICER DECIEDING IT WAS ENOUGH COMBAT FOR LT DRYSDALE IN ONE WAR.



Lt Drysdale completed his tour and then joined the 364th Fighter Groug, 385th Fighter Squadron, flying P-51's.  On his second Mission on Septmeber 17, 1944 he was shot down by flak near Neimegan, (part of Operation Market Garden).  He was hid by the Dutch and then was rescued by 82nd Airborne. 

 

In a letter from Doug Drysdale dated Aug 11, 2003, Lt Drysdale states: "I was made First Pilot, effective 26 July 44.  I got a crew, and flew my 33rd mission as first pilot on 28 July 44 to Merseburg with it being the first mission for the rest of the Crew.  When I landed the crew chief welcomed me with a the salutation "You Lucky Bastard----you've finished your tour!"  They reduced me from the 35 missions requirement because of the lead crew missions with Ray Monrad.  

 

The Crew I flew with (Lt Coccia) went back to Merseburg the next day and got shot down.   Squadron Order No. 33 dated 16 Aug 44 confirmed my rating as First Pilot as of 26 July 44 signed by "Flak Willy" alias Bob Williams, Squadron Adjutant.  Incidentally, immediately after completion of the 33rd mission with the 100th I got "Pappy" the 351st truck driver to drive me to the 364th Fighter Group at Honington; walked in, and said, "I want to fly the little one" The Group CO talked to me and said, "Lt., I want you".  He Called LeMay at 3rd Division and about four days later I started my second tour in P-51's with the 364th.  I should have stayed home--------  I got shot down on my second mission, evaded, and got home in Oct 44. 

 

Finally: Lt Rake reported a mission in which he landed with 2 engines feathered.  This never happened; we never landed with a feathered fan. I was on the mission to which he referred, so the knowledge is first hand.  The A/C did get a thorough flakking however, a flat tire, bombay doors damaged to the extent that we flew back with them open the entire way, #3 engine leaking oil liberally, and leaving a trail of smoke the whole return trip."  …………Maj Douglas R. Drysdale



MISSIONS OF 2ND LT FRANCIS L. CATE sn# 0684606 and LT MISHLER



Mission # Date Target                   Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 15 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany      389                           (on Lt L.G. Lacy Crew)

 2 16 Mar 44  Augsburg                    256                           

 3 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany            983   Incnediary

 4 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany      983   Incendiary

 5 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France          047   Incendiary

 6 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany 256   Incendiary & Demolition

 7 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany          256   Demolition

 8 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany         3938   Demolition

 9 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany       018   Demolition

 10 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany           389   Incendiary & Demolition

 11 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                     256   Demolition

 12 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany          767   Demolition

 13 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Ger     256   Demolition

 14 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France               983   Demolition

 15 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany           256   Incendiary

 16 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France 412   Demolition

 17 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany           412   Demolition

 18 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany           007   Incendiary

 19 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries  256   Demolition

 20 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany    256   Demolition

 21 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany           126   Demolition

 22 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany   256   Demolition

 23 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany   256   Demolition

 24 30 May 44 Troyes, France            256   Demolition

 25 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France          416   Demolition

 26 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie)   416   Demolition (D-day)

 27 08 Jun 44 Tours, France               416   Demolition

 28 11 Jun 44  Berck sur Mer              859   Demolition

 29 14 Jun 44 Le Culet                       859   Demolition

 30 04 Jul 44 Gien, France                  393   Demolition

 31 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball  393   Demolition

 32 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany           977   Demolition

 33 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area         977   Demolition

 34 11 Jul 44 Munich                          393   Incendiary

 35 12 Jul 44 Munich                          977   Incendiary

.   



Mission Log of Glenn W. Rake Crew



 Mission # Date    Target                        Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 16 Mar 44   Augsburg                            256

 2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany                     983   Incnediary

 3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany               983   Incendiary

 4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France                   047   Incendiary

 5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany          256   Incendiary & Demolition

 6 11 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany                  256   Demolition

 7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany                  3938   Demolition

 8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany                018   Demolition

 9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                     389   Incendiary & Demolition

 10. 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                            256   Demolition

 11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany                  767   Demolition (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)

 12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany     256   Demolition 

 12b 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France                     983   Demolition

 14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                   256   Incendiary

 15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France          412   Demolition

 16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    412   Demolition

 17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    007   Incendiary (Sgt Tekel shot down enemy fighter)

 18 09 May 44 Paris, France AF Laon Atries  256   Demolition 

 19 13 May 44 Osnabruck, Germany             256   Demolition

 20 19 May 44 Berlin, Germany                    126   Demolition

 21 27 May 44 Strasbourg, Germany             256   Demolition

 22 28 May 44 Magdeburg, Germany            256   Demolition

 23 30 May 44 Troyes, France                     256   Demolition

 24 05 Jun 44 Boulogne, France                   416   Demolition

 25 06 Jun 44 French Coast (Falasie)            416   Demolition (D-day)

 26 08 Jun 44 Tours, France                        416   Demolition

 27 11 Jun 44  Berck sur Mer                       859   Demolition

 28 14 Jun 44 Le Culet                                 859   Demolition

 29 04 Jul 44 Gien, France                            393   Demolition

 30 06 Jul 44 Secret (Fleury-Crepeoli) No-Ball  393   Demolition

 31 07 Jul 44 Bohlem, Germany                    977   Demolition

 32 08 Jul 44 Calais, France area                 977   Demolition

 33 11 Jul 44 Munich                                   393   Incendiary

 34 12 Jul 44 Munich                                   977   Incendiary



Target names supplied by G. W. Rake and may ,in some cases, differ from those listed in 8th Air Force records…pw

Updated by Mfaley from LT F. L. CATE  Questionaire (1/9/2001)



  MISSIONS OF 2nd Lt Douglas Drysdale w/Rake Crew

#      Date          Target                          Aircraft #  Bomb Load

 1 16 Mar 44 Augsburg, Germany              256

 2 22 Mar 44 Berlin, Germany                    983   Incnediary

 3 23 Mar 44 Brunswick, Germany             983   Incendiary

 4 27 Mar 44 Merignac, France                 047   Incendiary

 5 01 Apr 44 Ludwidshafen, Germany        256   Incendiary & Demolition

 6 04 Apr 44 Rostock, Germany                256   Demolition

 7 12 Apr 44 Leipzig, Germany                3938   Demolition

 8 13 Apr 44 Augsburg, Germany             018   Demolition

 9 18 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                   389   Incendiary & Demolition

 10 19 Apr 44 Lippstadt                           256   Demolition

 11 22 Apr 44 Hamm, Germany                767   Demolition

 12 24 Apr 44 Freidrichshafen, Germany   256   Demolition

 13 25 Apr 44 Dijon, France                     983   Demolition

 14 29 Apr 44 Berlin, Germany                 256   Incendiary

 15 01 May 44 Saarquemines, France      412   Demolition

 16 07 May 44 Berlin, Germany                412   Demolition

 17 08 May 44 Berlin, Germany                007   Incendiary

 18.09 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    31256 LAON/COUVRON; ANTHIES

 19.13 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    31256 OSNABRUCK

 20.19 May 44 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP    97126 BERLIN

 21. 5/30/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 TROYES                            (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 22. 5/31/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 OSNABRUCK

 23. 6/15/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

 24. 6/19/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF             (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 25  6/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUHLAND) BEGINNING OF RUSSIAN SHUTTLE MISSION

 26.  7/3/1944  DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

 27.  7/5/1944  DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY)

 28.  7/21/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG           REGENSBURG                     (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 29.  7/24/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)        (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 30.  7/25/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG           ST LO (GND SUPPORT)        (Formation Officer, flew in Tail)

 31.  7/28/1944 DRYSDALE D.R. LT P    37936 MERSEBURG





Lt Drysdale, was qualified as aircraft commander and flew his last mission as Aircraft Commander.



Date     Crew Nbrr Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target



21.  5/30/1944 65 126 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 TROYES

             

5/30/1944 65 126 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 107233 TROYES   (formation Officer)

5/30/1944 65 126 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 MYERS R.M. S/SGT BTG 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 MADDEN G.E. T/SGT TTE 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 KELLEY J.G. T/SGT ROG 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 GREGORY F.C. LT BOM 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 KRANZLER S.S. CAPT NAV 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 ROSENTHAL R. CAPT COM 107233 TROYES

5/30/1944 65 126 HELMICH R.H. CAPT P 107233 TROYES



22.  5/31/1944 20 127 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 OSNABRUCK



5/31/1944 20 127 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT TG 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 LOMBARDI W.V. S/SGT LWG 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 GRIMES C.L. S/SGT RWG 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 SMITH A.H. S/SGT BTG 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 LYNCH D.A. T/SGT TTE 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 HENDRICKS H.J T/SGT ROG 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 WHITE L.D. LT BOM 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 MISHLER R.L. LT NAV 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 DRYSDALE D.R. LT. CP 31708 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 20 127 MONRAD R.V. LT P 31708 OSNABRUCK



23.  6/15/1944 20 -140 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER



6/15/1944 20 -140 WHITE L.D. LT BOM 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 SMITH A.H. S/SGT BTG 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 MONRAD R.V. CAPT P 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 LYNCH D.A. T/SGT TTE 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 LOMBARDI W.V. S/SGT LWG 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 HENDRICKS H.J T/SGT ROG 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 GRIMES C.L. S/SGT RWG 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 FREDERICK W.H. S/SGT TG 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER

6/15/1944 20 -140 BONITZ C.E. LT NAV 31708 MITBURG & WILSTER



24.  6/19/1944 65 -142 DRYSDALE (CP) D.R. LT TG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF



6/19/1944 65 -142 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 MYERS R.M. S/SGT BTG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 MADDEN G.E. T/SGT TTE 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 KRANZLER S.S. LT NAV 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 KELLEY J.G. T/SGT ROG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 HELMICH R.H. CAPT P 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 GREGORY F.C. CAPT BOM 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 EMBERSON C.B. CAPT COM 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF

6/19/1944 65 -142 DRYSDALE (CP) D.R. LT TG 107233 CORME ECLUSE, AF



25.  6/21/1944 60 151 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256  RUHLAND (RUSSIAN SHUTTLE MISSION) CP ON LT WOLF CREW

25.    7/3/1944 60 151 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA) CP ON LT WOLF CREW

27.    7/5/1944 60 153 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 BEZIER (FROM ITLAY) CP ON LT WOLF CREW



7/3/1944 60 151 STACHEL R.A. S/SGT TG 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 HOWARD W.J. S/SGT RWG 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 KARNIS A.F. S/SGT BTG 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 SATTLER P.J. T/SGT TTE 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 ROWE G.K. T/SGT ROG 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 NEWELL H.E. LT BOM 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 THOMPSON D.L. LT NAV 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)

7/3/1944 60 151 WOLF E.W. LT P 31256 ARAD (RUMANIA)



28.  7/21/1944  165 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG  REGENSBURG (formation officer)



7/21/1944  165 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 MEDHURST E.D. S/SGT BTG 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 ARNOLD J.C. T/SGT TTE 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 KELLEY J.G. T/SGT ROG 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 WHITE D.L. LT BOM 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 MCGILL W. CAPT NAV 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 EMBERSON R.H. MAJOR COM 37812 REGENSBURG

7/21/1944 65 165 HELMICH R.H. CAPT P 37812 REGENSBURG



29.  7/24/1944 65 166 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)



7/24/1944 65 166 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 MEDHURST E.D. S/SGT BTG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 ARNOLD J.C. T/SGT TTE 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 KELLEY J.G. T/SGT ROG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 WHITE D.L. LT BOM 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 MCGILL W. CAPT NAV 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 WILLIAMS E.R. CAPT COM 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/24/1944 65 166 HELMICH R.H. CAPT P 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)



30.  7/25/1944  167 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG  ST LO (GND SUPPORT)



7/25/1944 65 167 DRYSDALE D.R. LT TG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 MEDHURST E.D. S/SGT BTG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 ARNOLD J.C. T/SGT TTE 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 KELLEY J.G. T/SGT ROG 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 WHITE D.L. LT BOM 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 MCGILL W. CAPT NAV 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 SMITH W.F. CAPT COM 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)

7/25/1944 65 167 HELMICK R.H. CAPT P 37815 ST LO (GND SUPPORT)



31.  7/28/1944 59 168 DRYSDALE D.R. LT CP 37936 MERSEBURG



7/28/1944 59 168 FELDKAMP H.G. SGT TG 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 BAUMGARTEN B.Y. SGT RWG 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 MADRID F. SGT BTG 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 LYNCH E.A. T/SGT TTE 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 WHITFORD H.E. S/SGT ROG 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 MARSHE R.E. LT BOM 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 FULKERSON R.D. LT NAV 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 DRYSDALE D.R. LT P 37936 MERSEBURG

7/28/1944 59 168 COCCIA J.D. LT CP 37936 MERSEBURG

                 

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Douglas R. Drysdale died at his home surrounded by family on Aug. 9, 2011. He was born Nov. 2, 1922, in Washington, D.C., the youngest of four brothers, to Rebecca and James Drysdale. His father was a patent attorney and his mother a school teacher.



He spent his childhood years squirrel hunting and working as a paperboy, grocery store box boy and gas station attendant, as well as a district water department crew member.



On May 25, 1942, he enlisted in the USAF Cadets. He was stationed in England and flew 35 missions as a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress and member of the "Bloody Hundredth." Having completed his tour, instead of coming home, he elected to fly the P-51 Mustang, thus becoming a member of a small group of airmen known as "Double Duty Men." On his second mission, his P-51 was shot down over the bridge at Neimegin in The Netherlands, which at that time was under German occupation. He bailed out of his burning fighter plane, and fell into the arms of a Dutch Resistance group. With their help, he evaded capture.



Returning to the U.S., he headed to Montana and enrolled at Montana State University, where he met and married Martha Story, his wife of 64 years. Douglas graduated from UM School of Law and they made their home in Bozeman where he practiced law for 32 years..