Personnel

CREW



 2nd Lt John T.Griffin             P CPT

 2nd Lt Elbert W.Johnson     CP WIA  8 Oct 43-Bremen (transferred to non combat job after this mission)

 2nd Lt Thomas R.Kizak      NAV  CPT

 2nd Lt Edward L.Dunlap    BOM  CPT 

 T/Sgt Raymond M.Harjo   TTE  WIA  (Purple Heart awarded for  0ct. 8, 1943, returned to States)

 T/Sgt Roy O.Howell         ROG WIA/CPT  13 DEC 43 KIEL (WIA)  CPT- 7 Jun 44 Nantes (with Lt Simmons Crew) 

 S/Sgt Pascal A.Delpriorre   BTG  CPT 

 S/Sgt Bernard G.Siegel      WG CPT 

 S/Sgt Sldney L.Nicholas     WG NOC

 S/Sgt Warren G.Lush         TG EVADEE (15/9/43 with crew of A.M.Vetter)  Paris 



351st Sqdn. This crew, as above, joined the 100th Group on 12/9/43.  Crew flew Goin Jessies

See photo of crew on p.212 of "CONTRAILS". Also see p.21/23 SOC .



Lt. Kizak appears on crew of R.V.Monrad on 8/3/44.



Wrote J.T.Griffin 20/3/84 and received reply 14/6/84. "  Nicholas did not complete tour,I do not know what happened to him. Harjo was returned to USA. Johnson was replaced on crew by Lt.Earl Williams and completed tour. Replacements on this crew were Don L.Pilgrim -WIA. Arthur L. Olson,and A. (Alfred??) Hunt who completed their tours. There positions not definetly but believe Pilgrim a TG and Hunt & Olson WGs.



2nd Lt. John T. Griffin with the 351st Sqdn. The plane was named the "Goin Jessies". My father Sgt. Arthur L. Olson flew with this crew October 1943 to July 5, 1944. He completed 28 Missions. 



Partial list of Missions Flown by Lt John Griffin Crew (from Frank Murphy book Luck of the Draw" mpf 2003)



1.   15/09/43   PARIS                           A/C 42-30087 "SHACK RAT"

2.   16/09/43   BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC    A/C 42-30358  "PHARTZAC" 

3.   23/09/43   VANNES                       A/C 42-30796   "SUNNY II" 

4.   26/09/43   PARIS                          A/C  42-3474    "KING BEE"

5.   02/10/43   EMDEN                         A/C  42-30796  "SUNNY II"

6.   08/10/43   BREMEN                       A/C  42-30796  "SUNNY II"

7.   26/11/43   BREMEN                       A/C  42-31051  "GOIN JESSIES" (T/SGT HARJO WIA, PURPLE HEART AND SHIPPED STATESIDE)

      29/11/43   BREMEN                       A/C  42-31051  "GOIN JESSIES"(#4 ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH, ABORT)

8.

9.

10.

11.

12. 13/12/43  KIEL                              A/C  42-31051  "GOIN JESSIES"  (T/SGT HOWELL WIA-ARM, PURPLE HEART, RTD)





Subj: RE: Lt Griffin Crew  

Date: 5/17/2003 11:12:58 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

From: Kolson@HILLSCA.ORG 

To: MPFaley@aol.com 

Sent from the Internet (Details) 

 

Michael:

 

I will speak with my Dad regarding your questions.  He did not talk about the war for many years and has opened up more during the last few.  He is celebrating his 90th birthday this August.  Dad was drafted from Minnesota where he grew up on a farm.  He was the only man out of about 30 from his area that was chosen to go Army Air Corps.  He attended gunnery school out of Nellis Air Force Base in Neveda I believe before he went overseas.  He states that he was one of two men from his specific class of gunnery mates that returned from Europe.  Do not know if this is correct.  He also said he was one of the older guys (29 years) on the plane.  I do know he took part in some of the first raids to hit Berlin.  He was also part of the group that participated in the "Shuttle" mission that bombed Germany on their way to Russia.  He said they then bombed Romainian oil fields and landed in Italy.  They then went from Italy back to England.  Dad said they awarded him three mission counts for this shuttle.  He also states that he was sent as a replacement crew and flew on some other planes but did most of his raids on the "Goin Jessies".  He confirmes the names and injuries of the crewmen listed.  Dad flew positions at Top Turret, Waist Gunner, and a couple of raids in the nose as a "toggler"?  He was at the airfield the day he left to watch the "Goin Jesses" land but it did not return!  He states that he spent another year after returning home assigned at Shunook Field teaching engineering mechanics (his plane stayed behind a few hours in Russia as they had to replace spark plugs in one of the engines).  Dad talks about Thorpes Abbott and how many of the bunks would be empty after raids and how they would get personal lockers together to send back to the states.  He says the weather was cold and foggy and how many missions were scrubbed or that our own aircraft would fly into one another as they were forming up to cross the channel.  He has also shared how cold it was at 35,000 feet having no windows on the side gun openings and the frostbite he would get.  He also talks about the P51 Mustangs with their extended fuel tanks and how vulnerable he felt when they would have to turn back to England.  I know you have heard many of the same stories.  I will talk with Dad and get this information in a better format to send to you.  Give me just a little time.  I will be joining the 100th foundation with my personal address.  It is easier for me to break mailing information down and present it to Dad since he has lost much of his reading sight.  I know that to this day his year with the 100th is probably one the most significant time periods in his life.  Do you know if any members of this crew are registered with the foundation?  I will talk to you soon and thank you for your timely response.  

 

Kim Olson

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FROM T/SGT ROY HOWELL 2009



1. Do you have a complet list of missions you flew. Here is all I have at the moment

2. My feeling is that you would have completed your tour somewhere around Feb/March 1944

3. Did you fly the October 14, 1943 Mission to Schweinfurt "Black Thursday"

4. Did your Crew Name Goin Jessies and if so, how did you come up with the name

5. Can you tell me any stories you remember about any missions

        Worst Mission and Why

        What was it like after all the losses in early October (Bremen, Munster)

6. What Happened to Sidney Nicholas, seems like he was taken off the crew and replaced? Is that correct?

7. He was replaced by a Sgt Olson and your TG position was filled by Sgt Pilgrim (after your original TG was shot down with another crew.  

8. Do you have any other photos of you while in the crew and at Thorpe Abbotts?

9. Medals, you should have DFC, Air Medal, Good Conduct, ETO ribbon with one or two battle stars, WW2 Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation with OLC, American Defense or Campaign. 





I will try to answer your questions

 

1. I had a list of missions but I lost it and so I can't help you there.  I had thought we flew in "goin Jessies" every mission,

2. The original crew finished about that time you suggested.  I was injured in the elbow when on a bombing mission to the Kiel Canal, and I didn't leave until the last of August.

3. No we did not fly the Black Thursday.

4. Our pilot suggested the name and we all went along with it.

5.I guess the worst mission for me was the one over Kiel.  We had to fly over the North sea back to England and we had one engine out. If we had to ditch I wouldn't be here today.  I couldn't swim so I feel fortunate we had the pilot who knew what he was doing.    Over Bremen watching the dog fights by the fighters  of the P47's were exciting.

6.  As far as I know after one mission he refused to fly anymore.  He was a nervous guy anyway.  I think it was one to Bremen.

7. You are correct on that one.

8. No I don't have any 

other photos.

9. I have the purple heart along with the others



 

Hi Michael,

 

Yes it was in Dec 43 that we bombed Kiel.  I don't remember if it was Dec 13 on the 12th mission or the 13th mission on Dec 12. (It was Dec 13, 1943)   I did fly with Helmick and Simmons.  My last mission was with Simmons and I didn't think I would make it back.  It was 

Simmons first combat mission.    Thanks…………………..Roy

 

I didn't remember to answer another question on the list you  asked.  About the attitude of crews on the Black Thursday.  We got most of our information through the grapevine as to how many planes were lost and so the attitudes of the crew members was we hoped it didn't happen to us.That is all I remember…………………..Roy



The only other one I flew missions with was a Capt. Swartout.  I believe that was his name.  I flew with him a couple of times……………..Roy



Hi Michael,

 

After reviewing your questions, I found I did not answer one.  You asked about how many were in our barracks, there were two crews together for a while then they gave us  half barrack to ourselves.  The barracks were walled in half and therefore we had half to ourselves.  It was as comfortable as they could make it.................................Roy





Roy O. Howell- JUNE 2010

Born May 16, 1921 to Glenn and Blanche Howell in Vona, CO where he attended Vona public schools. Also received his BA and MA from Western State College in Gunnison, CO. He taught in public schools and private schools for 37 years. He leaves to mourn his wife Joyce, three daughters, Ruth Garretson, Becky (Bill) Berg and Rachel Maher, six wonderful grandchildren, Emily, Daniel, Eric, Stephanie, Chris and Jordan. He spent three years in the USAF during WWII. A graveside service will be Thurs., July 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., Littleton, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Denver Rescue Mission, PO Box 5206, Denver, CO 80217-9613 







******************************************************************************************************



T/Sgt HOWELL MISSIONS WITH LT HELMICK



Date Crew Nbr Mission Nbr Last Name Initial Rank Position Aircraft Nbr Target

3/17/1944 68 131 GREGORY F.C. LT BOM 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 COULAM C.P. S/SGT TG 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 SHOPE J.L. S/SGT LWG 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 JOHNSON H.W. S/SGT RWG 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 MYERS R.M. S/SGT BTG 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 KRANZIER S.S. LT NAV 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 LEIRICH J.F. LT CP 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 HELMICK R.H. LT P 31412 MUNICH

3/17/1944 68 131 MADDEN G.E. T/SGT TTE 31412 MUNICH



T/SGT HOWELL MISSIONS WITH LT SIMMONS CREW:



5/28/1944 65 124 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 DOLL W.E. S/SGT RWG 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 37936 MAGDEBURG

5/28/1944 65 124 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 37936 MAGDEBURG

 

5/29/1944 65 125 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 BUNTIN T.P. S/SGT RWG 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 37936 LEIPZIG

5/29/1944 65 125 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 37936 LEIPZIG

 

5/31/1944 65 127 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 BUNTIN T.P. S/SGT RWG 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 37936 OSNABRUCK

5/31/1944 65 127 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 37936 OSNABRUCK

 

6/4/1944 65 130 BUNTIN T.P. S/SGT RWG 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 37936 BOULOGNE

6/4/1944 65 130 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 37936 BOULOGNE

 

6/5/1944 65 131 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 BUNTIN T.P. S/SGT RWG 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

6/5/1944 65 131 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 37936 BOULOGNE(CHG)

 

6/6/1944 65 -132 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 38047 OUISTREHAM 

6/6/1944 65 -132 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 BUNTIN T.P S/SGT RWG 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 38047 OUISTREHAM

6/6/1944 65 -132 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 38047 OUISTREHAM



6/6/1944 65 -132 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 DECH K.F. S/SGT RWG 38047 FALAISE 

6/6/1944 65 -132 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 38047 FALAISE

6/6/1944 65 -132 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 38047 FALAISE

 

6/7/1944 65 -135 RAIHL F.A. S/SGT TG 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 SIMMONS E.J. LT P 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 REETZ W.O. T/SGT TTE 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 PERNO M.J. S/SGT BTG 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 MCKITTERICK R.W. LT BOM 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 HOWELL R.O. T/SGT ROG 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 HEAD G.H. S/SGT RWG 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 HARMON W.E. LT NAV 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 DONOVAN E.J. S/SGT LWG 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)

6/7/1944 65 -135 ROMEO L.R. LT CP 39867 NANTES (BRIDGES)





Roy O. Howell, 89 of Littleton,Colorado

Born monday 16 May, 1921

Died sunday 27 June,2010