Personnel

CREW



2nd Lt Jack W.Thrasher        P  KIA  3/3/45  BRUNSWICK

2nd Lt Ernest F.Coble,Jr.     CP  NOC                                                 A/C #44 8220

2nd Lt Gerald A.Rimmel     NAV  POW  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK                   MACR #12892,Microfiche #4704

   Cpl Thomas C.Browning  TTE  POW  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK

   Cpl Albert L.Egsieker      ROG  POW   3/3/45 BRUNSWICK                  TAPS: 25 MAR 1970

   Cpl Alfred S.Collins         BTG  NOC                                                 TAPS: 13 DEC 1971

   Cpl George E.Mensler  TOG/NG  NOC                                               TAPS: 1985

   Cpl Joseph E.Turenne    WG  NOC                                                   TAPS: 28 MAR 1954

   Cpl Cecil A.Baker            TG   KIA    3/3/45 BRUNSWICK



349th Sqdn. This crew,as above,joined the 100th Group on 3/12/44.



On board the A/C on 3/3/45  were:Lt Charles S.Bayha,  CP from the crew of J.V.DePlanque. He became a POW.   Lt Harry F.Bott,  BOM from the crew of Denzil Naar.  He became a POW. Lt Willis R. McGuire, Radar Nav from the crew of L.C.Williams was KIA. Sgt.Ray U.Muffley, WG from the crew of J.A.Carroll was a POW. 



EYEWITNESS:  "A/C 44-8220 was attacked by one of six jet E/A which made a pass at the formation at 1018 hours over the target just before bombs away.  The #1 engine was hit and burst into flames.  Bomb bay doors were closed and the aircraft slid away to the left.  The left wing crumpled and the aircraft flipped over on it's back and exploded.  The fuselage broke at the waist door and both wings fell away.  One chute was seen to leave the aircraft before it exploded.  Later  four (4) others were counted.  Pilot was seen in cockpit 30 seconds prior to the explosion."



PURPOSE: Submit information

EMAIL: Hcervan102@aol.com

NAME: Hank Cervantes

INTEREST: 100th BG veteran

COMMENTS: Re:MACR:12892, Jack Thrasher. For the record I would like to submit my recollection of Jack Thrasher's death. I was Joe Martin's copilot and we were off of Jack's left wing on that mission. I believe that the 100th was leading the 13th Combat Wing and six 100th aircraft were in two flights dropping chaff ahead of the 100th and the remainder of the Wing. We had not yet arrived over the target when two ME-262's attacked us from  seven oclock high. The lead 262 fired 2 or 3 canon shells into Jack's left wing root starting a fire. Jack side-slipped the 17 in an effort to blow it out. He was unsuccessful and returned the plane to straight-and-level. Jack was clearly visible holding the airplane steady as his men bailed out. At least three did so before the plane exploded. His was the bravest act I have I have ever witnessed. Jack bunked across the aisle from me and only the night before I had watched as he reached over, picked up his large photo of a beautiful girl, kissed it and said, "Two more honey. Only two more and I'll be home."  Several years ago, an article appeared in Splasher Six about Jack's family. I tried to get their home address to send them this recollection but it was witheld from me. Hank   





EMAIL = rene-marie@webtv.net

UNAME = René-Marie deTurenne

DIED = Jospeh de Turenne

DEATH_DATE = 3-28-1954  

UNIT = 349th

POSITION = Waist Gunner

RELATION = Grandchild

COMMENTS = His name is misspelled in records as Turrenne