Personnel

CREW

   Lt Luther G.Bennett                           P  CPT  28/9/44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY

  Lt Charles J.  Baker                            CP  NOC  Replaced by Lt Maier from Lt Woodall Crew)

  Lt Donald R.Gillis                              NAV  CPT  3/10/44 LUDWIGBURG, ILLESHEIM,NUNRBURGS

 Lt Alvin Christopher                          BOM  CPT

 T/Sgt John D.Cannon                       ROG  CPT  2/11/44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY

 T/Sgt Harrison "Haircut" Roach,Jr.       TTE  CPT  2/10/44 KASSEL, AERO ENGINE

 S/Sgt Frederick A.Kirchubel                BTG  CPT

 S/Sgt Arthur W.Flowers                     WG  KIA  10/4/45 BURG-bei-MAGDEBURG(With crew of L.L.Bazin)  

 S/Sgt Robert B.Crooks                       WG  CPT  28/9/44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY

 S/Sgt Salvatore J.Guido                      TG  CPT  28/9/44 MERSEBURG, OIL REFINERY



351st Sqdn. Crew,as above,joined 100th BG on  22/5/44    See letter from H.Roach dated 20/11/87.



1st Lt A.R. Christovich (Nav) flew some missions with this Crew.



This Crew flew 42-107233 EP-N  "HUMPTY DUMPTY" 



According to Ray Bowdens book "Plane Names and Bloody Noses…100th Bomb Group this crew flew their first mission in HUMPTY DUMPTY on July 18, 1944 to Kiel.  Between then and Septmeber 28th, this crew flew 20 missions in this aircraft.  Missions included:



Kiel-July 18, 1944

Merseburg-July 29, 1944

Munich-July 31, 1944

Hamburg-Aug 4, 1944

Magdeburg-Aug 5, 1944

Berlin-Aug 6, 1944, 

Ludwigshaven-Aug 14, 1944

Warsaw Supply Drop, Sept 18, 1944 (Second Russian Shuttle Mission)

Szolnok (Hungary) Sept 19, 1944

Merseburg Sept 28, 1944



S/Sgt Arthur W. Flowers Missions with Lt Bennett Crew:  (mpf 2001)



1. 14/6/44  LeCulot,   A/C 42-31256  King Bee II EP-S

2. 20/6/44  Fallersleben  A/C 42-102667 Yankee Wahine EP-J

3. 21/6/44  Basdorf/Ruhland  A/C 42-31767 Our Gal Sal EP-E

4.  4/7/44  Gein (Recalled)  A/C 42-31412 Mason and Dixon EP-G

5.  7/7/44  Bohlen/Merseburg A/C 42-38047 Fever Beaver EP-O

6.  8/7/44  Clamecy  A/C 42-97126 The Latest Rumor EP-D

7. 13/7/44  Munich

8. 14/7/44  South of France  A/C 42-37936  All American Girl EP-M

     (recalled)

9. 17/7/44  Auxerre   A/C 42-32412 Mason and Dixon EP-G

10. 18/7/44  Kiel   A/C 42-107233  EP-N Humpty Dumpty

11. 19/7/44  Schweinfurt  A/C 42-39867 EP-E 

12. 20/7/44  Merseburg  A/C 42-107233 EP-N Humpty Dumpty

13. 24/7/44  St Lo (ground support) A/C 42-107233 EP-N Humpty Dumpty

Harrison “Haircut” Roach Jr. passed away on March 4, 2017 at the age of 94 years old.  He was born on February 10, 1924 in Beattyville, KY.  At the age of 3 years old, his family moved to Ohio and settled in New Miami.  He attended grade school in New Miami and graduated from Seven Mile High School in 1942.  

On January 18, 1943 at the age of 18 years old, he entered the U.S. Air Force and was trained to be a Top Turret Gunner on a B-17 Bomber.  He was stationed in Great Britain and completed 35 bombing missions as part of the 100th Bomb Group, 351st Squadron, 8th Air Force.   The majority of the missions he participated in were flown on the B-17 “Humpty Dumpty” as part of the Luther Bennett crew.   On September 18, 1944 he participated in a relief mission during which the 8th Air Force sent 107 B-17 Flying Fortresses to the aid of Warsaw.  They flew from England and air-dropped arms, ammunition and medical supplies for the Home Army and then landed on the Soviet-held territory.  On October 2, 1991, he received the Polish Home Army Cross Award for his participation in this mission from the Polish Home Army Veterans Association.  The honors he received for his service also included the “Distinguished Service Cross”, EAME Ribbon with two bronze stars and an Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.   Technical Sergeant Harrison Roach Jr. received an Honorable Discharge on October 12, 1945.  His service in WWII left a lasting impact on him, which he shared with many through the years.   He was able to be reunited with his pilot Luther Bennett and ground crew chief Dewey Christopher during the 50th Anniversary 100th Bomb Group Reunion.  On October 23, 2017, he again was able to be reunited with Dewey Christopher and his son, Gary Christopher.   

He was very proud of being elected to two terms as the New Miami Village Clerk.  After settling in Fairfield, he served on the Civil Service Commission as well.   He was especially active in activities associated with the youth including coach and manager of the Fairfield City Farm League and Babe Ruth Baseball and the girls’ softball team sponsored by the Civitans.  Haircut also loved the game of golf, being proud of the fact that he was a “lefty”.  He passed on his love of golf to his family, even teaching his great-grandson Mason, the proper golf swing in June of 2017 when Mason received his first set of clubs.

On May 12, 1951 he married Marlene Black.  They built their home of over 61 years in Fairfield, Ohio and raised 3 children.   He was employed for 35 years at General Electric in Evendale where he retired in 1986 as Manager of Military Jet Engine Assembly.  

Harrison was devoted to his family and his community.  Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of almost 67 years, Marlene Roach.   Harrison and Marlene raised 3 children:  Shelley Johnson, Kimberley McIntosh and Stephen Roach.    Also left to remember their Grandpa are 6 grandchildren:  Jim Koehler, Ashley Koehler, Sean Roach, Joshua Roach, Christopher McIntosh and Jason McIntosh as well as 6 great-grandchildren and a 7th great-grandchild due any day.  Harrison also leaves his brother Orville Roach, who has been a constant source of support and comfort throughout his illness.   He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers (Beuhl, Gene, Billy Dale and Jim) and 1 sister (Betty).

His family and friends will forever remember him as a man of character, integrity and devotion to his wife and family.  His family would like to thank the staff of Tri-County Extended Care Facility, who cared for him with dignity and compassion, as well as the staff of Compassus Hospice.   Donations in the name of Harrison Roach Jr. can be made to the 100th Bomb Group Foundation, who is dedicated to the preservation of first-hand historical accounts of those who served and education to generations, keeping alive the bravery and sacrifices which ensure our freedom still today.  Donations can be forwarded to the 100th Bomb Group Foundation at: