Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Ryan Harley
On: 04/18/2006

Does anyone remember a Jerome Harley? He was around 20 and was shot down over France in '44 or '45. He was helped by the French Resistance for months, but was eventually captured and died in a prisoner camp. He was my great uncle. I'm not sure what aircraft he served on, but any help from anyone who knew him, served with him, or remembers the story would be greatly appreciated. I thought his aircraft was "AW COME ON", but that aircraft is not listed as being lost and he is not in the group photo on this website.

Thanks

Ryan Harley

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 04/18/2006

In a booklet put together by the late Vic Maslen on Casualties of the 401st, it mentions him being a toggelier on Lt Otton's crew shot down on 13 Jul '44 and declared MIA. There is a note that his name is not on any of the memorial walls at cemeteries. In a crew list he is an MIA. There is a short eyewitness statement saying the plane was not on fire and flying straight when last observed. Chutes were seen coming out. The were flying in 42-97953 designated IY-N. It appears that all but one of the crew were POWs and the exception evaded capture and made it back.

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 04/18/2006

Lt Otton was in the 615th....

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Ryan Harley
On: 04/18/2006

Thanks for the info Scott. I was able to find out that Jerome normally flew in "Aww Come on," but it was out of service that day so they flew in 42-97953 instead. Also, their regular pilot was sick so Lt. Otton flew with them. I believe Jerome is the only member of the crew who died. I know that as of about 10 years ago, the ball turret gunner R.T. Adams was alive and living in Southern California.

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Scott McElvain
On: 04/18/2006

You might also check the Air Force History Office for a copy of the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR). The MACR for their situation is #7499. There is also an Escape and Evasion (E&E) record #2743. There are no pictures of the plane known. Aw Come On has a picture in the National Archives negative number B65449AC. Contact them and they can send you info on companies that can pull the negative and make you prints.

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 04/21/2006

Jerome,

You can drop by my web page and send an e-mail and they will send you the required paper work to get an actual photo that Scott identified for you.

http://donald-byers.com/getpictures.htm

Don Byers
Lubbock Texas

Re: Jerome Harley

Posted:
By: Ryan Harley
On: 04/24/2006

Thanks again gentlemen. I'm looking forward to finding out as much as I can.