Personnel

Received Legion of Merit:



CREW

                                                                    RESTRICTED

                                             HEADQUARTERS 3RD BOMBARDMENT DIVISION

                                                                     APO 559



GENERAL ORDERS                                                                                            25 MAY 1944

NO.147



                                                                     CITATION

The following listed members of an aircraft maintenance crew of the 351st Bombardment Squadron (H), 100th Bombardment Group (H), are cited for meritorious conduct and outstanding service in the maintenance of B-17 aircraft #42-3234, #42-31035, #4239867 and #42-31767, from the period 4 July 1943 to 11 May 1944. During that time the four aircraft completed fifty-six (56) consecutive high altitude bombing operations without having to return because of mechanical difficulty or failure. This record was accomplished through the extraordinary diligent and painstaking care with which these men performed their maintenance and repair work. Battle damage sustained by the aircraft required the replacement of three outer wing panels and three engines; stabilizer, rudder and aileron changes, besides the constant preventative maintenance demanded for continued safe flight. Work had to be done out of doors, often at night, and in bad weather. The devoted attention to detail shown by these enlisted men has enabled their crews to go into battle with the fullest confidence in their aircraft. The high degree of skill and unwavering devotion to duty displayed by this crew reflect highest credit upon themselves and the Armed Forces of the United States.



Official : Harold D. Wildrick     M/Sgt 33169105 Crew Chief

          Nels O. Davidson     S/Sgt 39176352 Mechanic

          Sherman M. Nelson  S/Sgt 37174389 Mechanic

          Arnold L. Schluter    S/Sgt 36476574 Mechanic



By command of Major General Le May:



O.T. Dreawell                                  A.W. Kissner

Major, Air Corps                               Brigadier General, U.S.A.

Adjutant General                             Chief of Staff.

Distribution: Special Awards



Note: 42-3234   "Little Mike" Salvaged 10-10-43

         42-31035 "Hang the Expense" Salvaged 11-29-43

         42-39867 "Hang the Expense IV"  RZI June 45*

         42-31767 "Our Gal Sal"  RZI May 45



* Later renamed "Boeing Belle" with Louis Montgomery as Crew Chief.. 

   RZI = Returned to Zone of Interior (USA)



Obituary



Master Sergeant Harold D. Wildrick

Crew Chief 351st Bomb Squadron 100th Bomb Group



November 1, 1915 - August 22, 1996



Harold Wildrick will be remembered as dedicated, serious, soft spoken and extremely competent hard working aircraft mechanic. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for his “meritorious conduct and outstanding service” on May 26, 1944 by command of General Le May.  During the period of July 4, 1943 to May 11, 1944 four aircraft under his supervision completed fifty-six (56) high altitude bombing operations without having to return because of a mechanical difficulty or failure. His aircraft during the period were 42-3234 Little Mike, 42-31035 Hang the Expense, 42-39867 Hang the Expense IV (later Boeing Belle) and 42-31767 Our Gal Sal.  Planes 867 and 767 both completed more than 130 missions and returned to the United States at the end of the war.



Harold is survived by his wife Beatrice, two sons, three grand children and one great grand daughter.



W. A. Carleton

Hello,



I recently noticed a small error in the TAPS listing for my father - Harold Wildrick - and am emailing to ask if it can be corrected. My father’s correct middle initial is “D”. It is currently listed as Harold C. Wildrick in the TAPS listing...the “C” is incorrect. 



Thank you very much for your assistance!



Kindest regards,

John J. Wildrick 



(Harold D. Wildrick’s son)