Categorie: Places Unknown 1944

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Harold F. Amster.

Unit/Placed in, 372^nd Bomber Squadron, 307^th Bomber Group (Heavy).

 

Harold is born approx. on March 7, 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Father, Mortimer Amster.

Mother, Minnie Amster.

Parents born in Czechoslovakia.

Sister(s), Ruth Amster.

Brother(s), Eugene Amster.

 

Harold enlisted the service in Ohio with service number # O-676332.

 

Harold ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

2^nd Lt.          Kenneth Kiensle                Pilot

2nd Lt.         Paul M. Hauser                 Co Pilot

F/O              Paul E. Schmidt                Navigator

1^st Lt.           Harold F. Amster               Instructor Bombardier

2^nd Lt.          Donald H. Nelson               Bombardier

S/Sgt.           George W. Metzinger          Engineer

Sgt.              William C. Fenske              Asst. Engineer

S/Sgt.           Herbert S. McDill               Radio Operator

Sgt.              Guy L. Fitch                     Asst. Radio Operator

Sgt.              Mike Sis                           Gunner

Sgt.              Milo E. Foreman                Gunner

 

Harold was KIA when they came in bad weather, believed ti a Mid Air Collision with a other plane from the bomber Group on Aug. 25, 1944,  he is honored with an Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Harold is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Glenville Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.

And at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

 

Thanks to, https://www.307bg.net/

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Sergeant Harold E. Amos.

Unit/Placed in, 20^th Combat Mapping Squadron, 6^th Photographic Group.

 

Harold is born approx. on 1923 in Oklahoma.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Harold enlisted the service in Kansas with service number # 17129527.

 

Harold ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a F-7B were,

1^st Lt.           Royce E. Harms                Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Thomas N. Rafael              Co Pilot

1^st Lt.           Gerald P. Smith                Navigator

T/Sgt.          Stephen H. Laichack          Engineer

T/Sgt.          Steve R. Reynolds              Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Melvin J. West                  Photographer

Sgt.              Harold E. Amos                 Gunner

Sgt.              Herbert G. Julian              Gunner

Sgt.              Boyd D. Berg                    Gunner

Sgt.              Samuel T. Catlin               Gunner

Sgt.             Raymond T. Weld              Gunner

 

Harold was KIA when on the way back, the y came in bad weather and force landed at Indonesia, everybody survived but died different on Sep. 30, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

is buried/mentioned at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu County, Hawaii U.S.A.

Courts of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/44-40422.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

 

The diary noted that there was a gun fight with some of the aircrew members resulting in the Japanese losing one of their officers and that some of the aircrew were also killed in this gun battle. They then noted that two of the Americans were killed trying to escape out to sea. One was shot and fell into the river and that another member of the crew was killed trying to swim away.

Three of them were captured by the Japanese to include: 2nd Lt. Rafael, Sgt. Julian, and Sgt Catlin and all three of them were beheaded near the Indonesian village.

Rank and Name, Private Jay Wayne Amos.

Unit/Placed in, 5^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Calvary Division “First Team”.

 

Jay is born approx. on Feb. 20, 1924 in Sioux City, Iowa.

Father, Ralph R. Amos.

Mother, Jewell F. (Black) Amos.

Sister(s), Jocelynn Amos.

Spouse, Jessie morris.

 

Jay enlisted the service in California with service number # 39699299.

 

Jay died non battle at Los Negros on April 6, 1944, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Jay is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://1cda.org/

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Private Arthur Ames Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 5307^th Composite Unit “Merrill Marauders”.

 

Merrill’s Marauders

Merrill’s Marauders (named after Frank Merrill) or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), was a United States Army long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, which fought in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II, or China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). The unit became famous for its deep-penetration missions behind Japanese lines, often engaging Japanese forces superior in number.

 

Arthur is born approx. on 1924 in Shelby, New York.

Father, Arthur G. Ames.

Mother, Genia L. (Martin) Ames.

Sister(s), Ava M. and Leona M. Ames.

Brother(s), Archie G. Ames.

 

Artur enlisted the service in New York with service number # 32735589.

 

Arthur was KIA in the assault to Myitkyina, Burma on June 11, 1944, he is honored with a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Arthur is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Bates Road Cemetery, Ridgeway, Orleans County, New York, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.marauder.org/yank.htm

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Charles F. Ames Jr.

Unit/Placed in, 868^th Bomber Squadron (Heavy), no Group.

 

Charles is born approx. on 1920 in New York.

Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.

 

Charles enlisted the service in Connecticut with service number # O-662233.

 

Charles ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

1^st Lt.           Wilmer B. Haynes              Pilot

1^st Lt.           Charles R. Bowden             Co Pilot

1^st Lt.           Gerard R. Westerland        Navigator

1^st Lt.           Charles F. Ames Jr.            Bombardier

T/Sgt           John H. Terpstra               Engineer

S/Sgt           Frederick E. Preye             Asst. Engineer

T/Sgt           Yale E. Esrock         Radio Operator

S/Sgt           Robert L. Boatty               Radar Operator

Sgt              Thomas J. Poden               Asst. Radar Operator

S/Sgt           Rudolph H. Wittschack       Gunner

 

Charles was KIA during the mission they never returned (no record) on June 26, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Charles is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/42-40838.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Seaman First Class Ralph Albert Amabile.

Unit/Placed in, SS H. D. Collier Tanker, United States Naval Reserve.

 

Ralph is born approx. on Sep. 14, 1905 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania.

Father, Louis Amabile.

Mother, Anna (Younck) Amabile.

Sister(s), Louise, Susan, Elizabeth and Margaret Amabile.

Brother(s), Henry M. and William Amabile.

Spouse, Teresa J. Amabile

 

Ralph enlisted the service in Pennsylvania with service number # 8218194.

 

Ralph was KIA when the SS H. D. Collier was torpedoed by the Japanese Submarine I-26 on March 13, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Ralph is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?37237

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Private Sandolio C. Alvarez.

Unit/Placed in, 5307^th Composite Unit (Merrill Marauders).

Merrill’s Marauders

Merrill’s Marauders (named after Frank Merrill) or Unit Galahad, officially named the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), was a United States Army long range penetration special operations jungle warfare unit, which fought in the South-East Asian theatre of World War II, or China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). The unit became famous for its deep-penetration missions behind Japanese lines, often engaging Japanese forces superior in number.

 

Sandolio is born approx. on 1920 in Florida.

Parents, Siblings and Spouse, No Record Available.

 

Sandolio enlisted the service in Florida with service number # 34543586.

 

Sandolio was KIA during the fights with the Japanese over Mytika, Burma on July 1, 1944, he is honored with a Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Sandolio is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.marauder.org/history.htm

http://www.marauder.org/passing.htm#A

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Second Lieutenant Clarence Alves.

Unit/Placed in, 69^th Bomber Squadron, 42^nd Bomber Group (Medium) “Crusaders”.

 

Clarence is born approx. on 1919 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Father, Antone Alves Jr.

Mother, Gussie Alves.

Parents born in Portugal.

Sister(s), Kathrine, Mabel and Elenor Alves.

 

Clarence enlisted the service in Hawaii with service number # 0-753482.

 

Clarence ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25 were,

1^st Lt.           Albert Philips          Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Clarence Alves         Co Pilot

T/Sgt.          Heinz F. M. Worst     Radio Operator

S/Sgt.           Harry J. Stickael      Engineer/Gunner

S/Sgt.           Frank C. Ericson      Gunner

 

Clarence was KIA on the mission (It is believed the plane went down in a severe thunderstorm) on June 7, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Clarence is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/42nd_Bombardment_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, First Lieutenant Robert J. Alves.

Unit/Placed in, 17^{th (Reconnaissance)} Squadron, 71^st Reconnaissance Group.

 

Robert is born approx. on 1921 in Santa Rosa, California.

Father, John M. Alves.

Mother, Helen A. Alves.

Brother(s), George H. Alves.

 

Robert enlisted the service in California with service number # O-733773.

 

Robert ‘s Crew-members and their position on-board the plane a B-25 were,

Major           William G. Tennile             Squadron Commander

1^st Lt.           Robert J. Alves                  Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Robert E. Nevins               Observer

Sgt.              Reed S. Wilburn                Turret Gunner

Sgt.              Crawford W. Bell               Radio Operator/Waist Gunner

Sgt.              John R. Wagstaff               Photographer/Tail Gunner

 

Robert was KIA (no record) on June 8, 1944, he is honored with an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Robert is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Santa Rosa Memorial Park,

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California.

 

Thanks to, http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/71st_Reconnaissance_Group.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com

Rank and Name, Sergeant Charles Freedeman Alston Jr.

Unit/Placed in, Air Corps (375^th Bomber Squadron, 308^th Bomber Group).

 The group was assigned to the 14th Air Force and made many trips over the ‘Hump’ between India and China to obtain gasoline, bombs, spare parts, and other items they needed to prepare for and sustain their combat operations.   The 308th supported Chinese ground forces; attacked airfields, coal yards, docks, oil refineries and fuel dumps in French Indochina; mined rivers and ports; bombed maintenance shops and docks at Rangoon, Burma; attacked Japanese shipping in the East China Sea, Formosa Strait, South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin.

 

Charles is born approx. on Aug. 29, 1921 in Swisher County, Texas.

Father, Charles F. Alton.

Mother, Aleta (Hightower) Alton.

 

Charles enlisted the service in Texas with service number # 38415648.

 

Charles’s Crew-members and position on-board the plane a B-24 were,

2^nd Lt.          Walter O. Kaestner            Pilot

2nd Lt.         John J. Apsega                 Co Pilot

2^nd Lt.          Harold R. Crawford           Navigator

2^nd Lt.          Donald H. Bassit               Bombardier

S/Sgt.           William H. Luebbers           Engineer

S/Sgt.           William P. Smith               Radio Operator

Sgt.              James D. Mann                 Top Turret Gunner

Sgt.              Hobert G. Jones                Left Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Thomas I. Young                Right Waist Gunner

Sgt.              Charles F. Alton Jr.            Tail Gunner

 

Charles died no record on May 22, 1944, he is honored with a Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.

 

Charles is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.

Walls of the missing.

He also has a Memorial Grave at Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA.

 

Thanks to, http://www.usaaf-in-cbi.com/308th_web/index.htm

http://www.usaaf-in-cbi.com/index.html

Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.

Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.

ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov

Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org

POW Info, http://www.mansell.com    Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.

Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org

Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/    Geoffrey Roecker

Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org

Website,

Philppine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/

Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com