Personnel

CREW



1ST LT WILLIAM E. GREEN  P KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

2ND LT JACK P. JENSEN  CP KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

2ND LT JOHN J. JOYCE  NAV KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

2ND LT JOHN S. HAMILITON  BOM KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT ROBERT W. VALENTIK  ROG KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT ROMAND B. BERAN  TTE KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT RICHARD K. ANDEREGG BTG KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT SANFORD TISDALE  WG KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT HARRY J. WASKEWICZ WG KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

S/SGT LEROY R. LEIST  TG KIA 4 FEB 44 FRANKFURT

   

     MACR #2343, Microfiche #799

     A/C #42-37975



418th Sqdn.. Crew, as above, appears on the MACR #2343. No information as to when it joined the 100th.

EYEWITNESS; "This A/C, in 3rd element of the high squadron, pulled out of formation at 1352 hours & headed for the undercast. It was smoking but appeared under control. No chutes were seen." Original ROG on the Crew was S/Sgt Tom Sasser, replaced on Feb 4, 1944 mission by S/Sgt Valentik. 



MACR #2343 is very blurred and difficult to read but Walcheron Island (Off coast of Holland) is mentioned. The body of S/Sgt Waskewicz was washed ashore near Ouddorf (Coastal Holland) 6 Feb 44 and that of Lt Joyce on 18 Feb 44.





"On Feb 4th the 100th BG was dispatched to Frankfurt where it attacked a steelworks factory, the ST (secondary Target). The group lost three crews that day, Lt Green, Lt Brown and Lt McPhee. B-17 42-37975 Marking LD (418th Squadron) call sign U, piloted by Lt William Green and CP Jack Jensen crashed into the sea off the Dutch coast in the Vicinity of Walcheron Island. It was last seen at 13:32 (1:32pm) as it pulled out of the high squadron.and headed for the undercast. It was smoking but appeared under control. No chutes were seen. All Ten men aboard were KIA The body of Waist Gunner S/Sgt Harry Waskewicz washed ashore two days later near Oudorf in Costal Holland." 



Part of Missions Critique from MACR (Missing Air Crew Report). Bill Thompson 



"About 25 single engined enemy aircraft interecpted our formaiton near Liege on route from the target. They made several passes at the low group but seemed concentrated on Stragglers.The continuous flak over enemy territory was inaccurate. 975 pulled out of its postion in the high squadron of the formation at 13:32 hours and headed for the undercast, smoking but under control."



Subj: Photo 

Date: 8/15/2001 6:56:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time 

From: rbcaldwe@dixie-net.com (rbcaldwe)To: MPFaley@aol.com (Mike Faley)  

Hello Mike,I have made an interesting discovery! In looking thru my Mom's old scrapbook she kept on my dad, I found the name, Tom Sasser. I located him in Florida. He is now 92 and his mind is not good, but his wife is very spry. She told me that Tom was an original member of my dad's crew. She sent me two pictures she had. One of them is the one I sent to you that hasbeen put on the website of the men in their flying gear. My dad had one ofthe men listed as Robert Valentik. Avis Sasser says this man is actually her husband, Tom Sasser. Seems Robert Valentik replaced Tom and therefore was lost with the crew on that fateful mission on February 4, 1944.When I sent you the picture, you said you already had one just like it. Didit have a listing of the crew with it? I am certain that Mrs. Sasser shouldcertainly know her husband, so I do believe her, but just wondered if youhad him as Robert Valentik also?Do you have a copy of CONTRAILS where you could send me a picutre via emailof Robert Valentik?My step dad died July 21. (Another great veteran lost, he was with the 2ndArmored Division). My Mom has decided to come out to Omaha with my husbandand me for the reunion. I am so pleased.I look forward to meeting you and all the others whose names I read andcorrespond with thru email.Adrian Leist Caldwelldaughter of S/Sgt Leory E. Leist, 418th Squadron