Personnel

Memo 1:

CREW 



                   1ST LT JOHN D. BRADY







ORIGINAL CREW #32             FLEW OVERSEAS IN: A/C #42-30071  "SKIPPER"







1ST LT  JOHN D. BRADY                                     P;     POW  10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



2ND LT  JOHN L. HOERR                                  CP;     POW  10 OCT 43 MUNSTER      



2ND LT  HARRY H. CROSBY                             NAV;     CPT (Group Navigator, on operations until end of hostilities in 1945)



2ND LT  HOWARD B. "HAMBONE" HAMILTON    BOM;     POW  10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



S/SGT   ADOLPH BLUM                                   TTE;     POW  10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



S/SGT   HAROLD E. CLANTON                          WG;     KIA    10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



S/SGT   SAUL LEVITT                                    ROG;    X-FERRED TO "YANK" MAGAZINE STAFF



PVT     ROLAND D. GANGWER                         BTG;     POW   10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



S/SGT   JAMES A. McCUSKER                           WG;     POW   10 OCT 43 MUNSTER



S/SGT   GEORGE J. PETROHELOS                      TG;     POW   10 OCT 43 MUNSTER







CREW FLEW MOST MISSIONS IN "PADDLEFOOT'S PROXY" 25863 LD-V







NOTES:





LIST OF MISSIONS OF LT JOHN BRADY CREW 







1.    June 26, 1943   LeMans                   25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





2.    June 28, 1943   St Nazaire (Flak City) 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





3.     July 17, 1943   Hamburg                 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





4.     July 24, 1943   Trondheim              25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





5.     July 25, 1943   Kiel                        25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





6.     July 26, 1943   Hanover                 25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V   Lt John D. Brady





7.     July 28, 1943   Oschersleben          25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V  Lt John D. Brady





8.     July 29, 1943   Warnemunde          25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V  Lt John D. Brady







9.     July 30, 1943   Kassel                     25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V  Lt John D. Brady





10.   Aug 15, 1943   Merville & Lille          25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V  Lt John D. Brady





11.   Aug 17, 1943   Regensburg             230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





12.   Aug 24, 1943   Bordeaux-Merignac   230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





13    Sept 3,  1943   Paris                      25863 Paddlefoot's Proxy LD-V  Lt John D. Brady





14.  Sept 15, 1943   Paris                      230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





15.  Sept 16, 1943   Bordeaux               230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





16.  Sept 23, 1943   Vannes                  230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





17.  Sept 26, 1943   Paris                      230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





18.  Sept 27, 1943   Emden                  230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U







19.  Oct. 4, 1943     Hanau                   230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U





20.  Oct 10, 1943    Munster                 230830 M'lle Zig Zig LD-U  (SHOT DOWN)









CREW NOTE: T/SGT JOSEPH E. HAFER (FLEW 15 MISSIONS WITH THE CREW) REPLACED SAUL LEVITT AS ROG AFTER LEVITT WAS INJURED IN JEEP ACCIDENT. SAUL LEVITT WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE STAFF OF "YANK" MAGAZINE UPON HIS RECOVERY.  HAFER WAS TAKEN PRISONER.  LT DAVID SOLOMAN, THE REGULAR NAVIGATOR ON CREW #29 REPLACED HARRY CROSBY FOR THIS MISSION AND WAS TAKEN PRISONER AS WELL.





MUNSTER MISSION: CREW #32 LED THE 10 OCTOBER 43 MISSION TO MUNSTER AND MAJ JOHN C. EGAN, THE 418TH CO, FLEW IN THE CO-PILOT'S SEAT.  NEAR THE I.P., THEIR AIRCRAFT "M'LLE ZIG ZIG" (A/C #42-30830) WAS HIT BY FLAK KILLING SGT CLANTON AND BADLY WOUNDING HOWARD HAMILTON AND ROLAND GANGWER. THE SURVIVING CREW MEMBERS SUCCEEDED IN BAILING OUT AND WERE TAKEN PRISONER. HAMILTON AND GANGWER WERE SUBSEQUENTLY TREATED IN A GERMAN HOSPITAL.













THE  VICTOR  HERALD Friday September 24, 1943







John  D.  Brady  Has  Been  Made  Captain







News comes to the Herald from somewhere overseas, that John D. Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, has been promoted to the rank of captain.



John Jr. wants to read his hometown newspaper while far from home, and has filed a written request in that effect with the Herald. Here's hoping that every issue goes through to him promptly.











THE  VICTOR  HERALD Friday October 22, 1943







Flying Cross Won By John Brady In Africa







Capt. John D. Brady, son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in the African raid.







John, who is stationed somewhere in England, kept very quiet about the distinction he had attained, and the news came to his parents through a letter from the wife of his bombardier.











THE  VICTOR  HERALD Friday October 29, 1943







Capt. John Brady Is Reported As Missing In Action







Notification that their eldest son, Captain John D. Brady, has been missing in action over Europe since October 10, came to Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady of Maple Avenue, Victor, last Friday afternoon, through a telegram from the War Department.



Captain Brady, bomber pilot, 25 years old, recently received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievements in North Africa. The date given in the telegram indicates that his plane was forced down while he was participating in a mass raid over Germany. His parents received a letter from him on September 27.



Captain Brady's musical talent had brought him into touch with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who join with his family in eagerly awaiting good news concerning him. After attending school in Victor and being graduated from St. Mary's parochial school in Canandaigua, he became a student in Canandaigua Academy, and was a member of the Academy band when that organization won first place in a national music contest. He played the saxophone and clarinet.



Continuing his study of music at Ithaca College, he was graduated in 1941 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and was a member of Piu Mu Aplha, national music fraternity. With the beginning of the next school year, he became music instructor in the Guilford, N Y.,

school, but resigned that position in December 1941, to enlist in the Army Air Corps. A younger brother, Pfc. Paul Eugene, is a member of the Air Force Band at Lincoln, Nebraska.



The young aviator won his wings at Spruce Field, Moultrie, GA, August 5, 1942, and was then transferred to Hendricks Field, Sebring, Florida. Early this year, at Sioux City, Iowa, he became a

first lieutenant, and later earned the rank of captain. He left Kearney, Nebraska, in May for overseas duty, and has participated with skill and valor in various important missions. He is the first Victor man reported missing in action.











THE  VICTOR  HERALD Friday November 19, 1943







Capt.  John  D.  Brady  A  German  Government  Prisoner  of  War







News that Capt. John D. Brady, missing in action over Europe since October 10, had been found to be a prisoner of war of the German Government, came to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady, last Saturday, lifting a burden of anxiety from not only the family, but from the entire community. Although it was known here that the mission from which Capt. John's plane failed to return had proved to be one of the most dangerous of the war, the conviction that he still lived persisted among his relatives and townspeople and has now been happily justified.



The longed for information came in the form of a telegram from the War Department in Washington, D.C., which reads, Report received through the International Red Cross, your

son, Capt. John D. Brady, is a prisoner of war of the German Government. Letter of information follows.



Mrs. Brady has received letters from the mothers of two members of John's crew, both of whom have been found to be prisoners of war, and it is hoped that the entire crew may have landed safely and will soon be located.



Born in Victor, Captain Brady attended the Victor schools as a young boy and then became a student in Canandaigua from which he graduated. Later, attending Canandaigua Academy, he was a member of the Academy band when that organization won first place in a national music contest. He played the saxophone and clarinet.



Continuing his study of music at Ithaca College, he was graduated in 1941 with a degree of Bachelor of Science and was a member of Piu Mu Alpha, national music fraternity. With the beginning of the next school year, he became music instructor in the Guilford, NY school, but resigned that position in December, 1941, to enlist in the Army Air Corps.

The young aviator won his wings at Spruce Field, Moultrie, Ga., August 5, 1942, and was then transferred to Hendricks Field, Sebring, Fla.  Early this year, at Sioux City, Iowa, he became a first lieutenant and later, by his skill and valor in combat, earned the rank of Captain.





Many friends in Victor and Canandaigua rejoice in the news that he is safe, but will appreciate his disappointment that he is grounded, perhaps for the remainder of the conflict.















THE VICTOR HERALD Friday February 12, 1943  









John B. Brady Made A First Lieutenant







John B. Brady, son of Mr. and MRs. John J. Brady, was recently

commissioned as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, the investiture taking place at Sioux City, Iowa. Lieut. Brady has been transferred to Boise City, Idaho.









THE  VICTOR  HERALD Friday December 17, 1943  







John  Brady  Writes  To  Parents  From  German  Prison  Camp





The receipt of a post card early this week, from their

eldest son, Captain John D. Brady, makes the Christmas season far more joyful for Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brady and family of Maple Avenue than it could otherwise have been. And not to the family alone, but also to many, many friends happiness is brought by the news that a personal message from John has been received.







Writing on November 2, 1943, at a prisoners of war camp somewhere between Berlin and Dresden, but nearer Dresden, John gave news of his situation as follows:





Dear Mother and Dad,



I am hoping that by this date you have been informed of my status. I am in good health. Made a fine chocolate pie yesterday, also some fine stew. Am quite the cook, of necessity. A Merry Christmas to you all. Love, John.



John's plane was one of the 60 which failed to return to base from a mission over Berlin on October 10.  On October 22 a telegram from the War Department informed his parents that he was missing in action. Another telegram received from the War Department, on November 13, gave the cheering news that the International Red Cross had located the young captain in Germany, where he was being held as a prisoner of war. Two members of his crew have also been found to be prisoners of war.





From “Splasher Six” (2022)



Music - Lifeline for POW John Brady

By Matt Mabe, 100 th BG Photo Archivist and Board of Directors



“Music probably saved my dad’s life,” reflected Jack Brady. His father, Captain John D. Brady, was a lifelong musician, relying on his musical talents throughout captivity at Stalag Luft III during 1943-1945. Though Brady likely never anticipated the role music would play in supporting his own mental wellbeing and survival should he end up a prisoner, he adapted to his newfound circumstances and, in the process, helped many fellow prisoners of war by sharing his love of music with them.



John Brady’s passion for music began during his childhood in upstate New York, where he learned to play the saxophone and clarinet in grade school. While attending Canandaigua Academy, Brady and the other members of the band won first place in a national music contest. Exceling as a musician, he studied music at Ithaca College where he was a member of a national music fraternity. After graduation in 1941, Brady taught music in Guilford, NY, but resigned his teaching position following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jack recalls that his father “wanted the challenge of being an aviator,” but his attempt to become a Navy pilot failed. Rejected by the Navy for his “flat feet,” Brady was undeterred, finding success shortly thereafter at the local US Army recruitment office. The talented musician soon became a skilled pilot. Brady completed aviation cadet training in the US Army Air Forces, becoming one of the original pilots of the 100th Bomb Group when assigned to the 418th Squadron at Gowen Field, Idaho, in November 1942. For many, Brady included, the friendships that first developed here would last a lifetime. 



Navigator Frank D. Murphy, a fellow musician and airman, spoke of his close friendship with Brady in a postwar letter, a friendship which began at Gowen Field: “I have never known a group of men whose company I enjoyed more than the original crews of the 100 th Bomb Group.” Brady and Murphy’s friendship would only strengthen throughout the war. 100th Bomb Group aircrews of ten men were formed at Gowen Field. When given the names of his crew members, Brady proceeded to track them down. Brady’s first stop was the base club, where he “saw a guy who looked like he was about 12 years old, with two gold front teeth… This cat was lounging against the bar and grinding on a pork chop sandwich.” Brady soon learned that it was his Bombardier Howard “Hambone” Hamilton. Both men were quick to hit it off. In addition to Hamilton, Brady’s original crew

consisted of John Hoerr (co-pilot), Harry Crosby (navigator), Adolph Blum (top turret gunner/engineer), Saul Levitt (radio operator), Harold Clanton (waist gunner), Roland Gangwer (ball turret gunner), James McCusker (waist gunner), and George Petrohelos (tail gunner). The Brady crew got off to a dubious start, losing three B-17s due to mechanical difficulties stateside prior to reaching combat overseas. Members of the crew would later joke with Brady about one of these instances which resulted in Brady visiting a local bank to take out money in order to finance their travel back to base.



Arriving at Thorpe Abbotts in early June 1943, the Brady crew completed its first combat mission on June 26 to LeMans, France. The crew flew missions throughout the summer including the Regensburg shuttle mission on August 17, 1943. Brady’s crew was among the lucky ones that day, safely landing at the remote airfield at Berteaux, Algeria along with several other crews from the 100th. Brady received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions over Regensburg.



On October 8, 1943, the Brady crew was grounded by Flight Surgeon Wendell Stover, who cited the crew as being “slightly flaky,” and they were given orders to go to Bournemouth later that afternoon to

begin a few days of R&R. With the group’s devastating losses over Bremen that day, Brady’s orders were ignored and they were held at Thorpe Abbotts “on the ready.” On October 10, 1943, Brady’s crew was tapped to lead the group on the mission to Munster, to which Brady later quipped “that in itself was an

indication of the condition we were in.” Munster was Brady’s 20 th mission. The 418th Squadron’s C.O., Major John Egan, was Command Pilot occupying the co-pilot’s seat, while co-pilot John Hoerr backed them up in the cockpit.



As they approached the French coast, Brady recalled a brief conversation with Egan about whether they should press on, as one crew had already turned back; however, “both made the sign of the cross and plunged forward toward our unhappy rendezvous.” The Germans would deal a heavy blow to the 100th Bomb Group over Munster that day. Clanton was killed by a flak burst, both Gangwer and Hamilton were wounded, and Brady struggled to keep the plane airborne. After the crew bailed out, Brady and Egan did an “after you” in the bomb bay, and both jumped out simultaneously right after a German fighter struck the fuselage with a 20mm cannon shell.



The surviving members of the crew were ultimately captured, with Brady discovered by a group of Hitler Youth after hiding out for “several hours in the brush.” Upon arrival at Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Germany, Brady was greeted by “a sizeable delegation of 100th personnel who cheered us through the gates.” To

stave off the boredom and monotony of daily life in a prison camp, Brady turned to his love of music, using musical instruments left behind by British POWs who had been moved. While these instruments

had seen better days and were deemed of “dubious heritage” by others, the prisoners made the best of what they had, forming a jazz band in the POW camp’s Center Compound named the “Sagan

Serenaders.” Many POWs of the camp at Sagan enjoyed quality musical performances while incarcerated.



Brady wrote letters home to his family and to his girlfriend Esther Wilkinson, who was volunteering back on the home front helping wounded veterans. In one of his first letters from Stalag Luft III, Brady remarked that “the other day I managed to secure a Selmer sax (alto) and a Selmer Clarinet. It gives me something to do.” Brady wrote that he was “itching to roam” and exercised whenever possible to stay in good physical condition. But music became his main focus. Brady tried out for the jazz dance band which was led by trumpeter Lt. Wally Kinnan. The band consisted of 14 musicians, several of whom had played professionally before the war, and Brady was one of the saxophone players. The “Sagan Serenaders” played regular concerts and also supported a variety show at the camp’s theater, which Brady recalled “would bring a burlesque addict to ‘atten-hut’… As more talented people came in the front gate, this

became a first-rate group if I do say so myself,” remarked Brady in a post-war letter.



Brady also tried his hand at writing and arranging music, telling his family in a March 1944 letter that he was “doing more arranging during the last month and a couple of them are ok; maybe I can get some of that work when I get home.” Several copies of Brady’s hand-drawn sheet music survived from Stalag Luft III, including “A Kriegie is Dreaming” by J.V. Ward. Brady also taught music to POWs who had an interest in music. In a letter dated May 23, 1944: “Nothing to write about, but we have four clarinets in the camp counting the one I have and I’ve been teaching twenty-seven lads the mysteries of the instrument. The schedule for lessons and instruments for practice is more involved than a timetable. Please put a box of reeds in each parcel.”



Meanwhile, Brady’s former crew member Saul Levitt, who became a reporter for Yank Magazine, wrote in a letter to Brady’s family that he “was working on arranging a musical instrument for him…but later learned he had already gotten an instrument and had a band going in his camp.” By the summer of 1944, Brady wrote: “at last, we got some music from the US a while back of dance arrangements which should make for a relatively pleasant summer. I’m studying French and also gotten hold of a beat-up bassoon which takes up all of my time.” “Some musicians came in with the new boys so we have some new additions. What a bunch of optimists these new lads are.” Brady also reflected upon the Munster mission, thanking his parents for confirming that Harold Clanton’s family had received news of his death. “If you write them, tell them I’ll see them,” said Brady.



In his final letters home in late-1944, Brady told his family not to worry and remarked “things are very quiet – I’m resigning myself to another lovely winter in Sagan…. I’m seriously thinking of attempting to break into the dance band racket when I get back.” Brady and the “Sagan Serenaders” also helped to give their fellow POWs a reminder of home during the holiday season. “We are preparing for Christmas again,” wrote Brady. “Homemade decorations that are quite ingenious. Also, a show consisting mainly of

tunes by the band.”



Letters home ceased after Christmas 1944 when the prisoners of Stalag Luft III were ordered to abandon camp ahead of advancing Russian troops. In the weeks that followed, thousands of POWs were force-marched in brutal winter conditions back into Germany. In April 1945, Brady’s group ended up at Stalag VIIA in Moosburg, which was liberated by Patton’s US Third Army in late April. Brady later reflected that “it took a lot of adjustment coming home since we lived in such poor conditions in captivity. But I can remember how happy I was when the ship came into NY harbor. I was so excited that I left my saxophone on the boat.”



As with any veteran who has seen war first hand, the experience had a profound impact on Brady. “My father was a compassionate man,” remarked Jack Brady. “What he went through in the war left a lifelong impact on him to do the right thing and he was very civic-minded.” One of his first acts after returning stateside was to travel with co-pilot John Hoerr to visit Harold Clanton’s family in Oklahoma. What transpired during that meeting is not known, though Jack Brady said his father “took his role as the crew’s leader 100%.” Brady was committed to meet with and offer compassion to the family of his fallen crew member.



John Brady and Esther Wilkinson married in 1945, relocating to Laurel, Maryland, where they would raise three children and were active with local civic groups like the Boys & Girls Club. In addition to 100th Bomb Group reunions, Brady attended gatherings of his fellow musicians from Stalag Luft III, with whom he developed a close bond after sharing countless hours together in the camp band. While Brady’s post-war work led him to a business career, and not music as originally planned, he continued to share his love of music with his family and played the saxophone into his later years.

Wounded by FLAK prior to bailout.