Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: Inge Grondin
On: 07/06/2001

I have a request and need help. On July 20th 1944 a B-17 from the 401st Bomb Group, 613th Squadron called Pistol Packin Mama went down in Wohlsborn, near Weimar. There were 9 crewmen aboard. All parachuted out and landed safely. However, the German civilians killed three of them. And in a brutal way. I know it.
    The KIA's are:
    Navigator-2nd Lt. Owne H. Jorgenson
    Radio Operator-T/Sgt John S. Spirodex
    Tail Gunner S/Sgt Donald H. Schmidt

    The crew members who survived were:
    Pilot-2nd Lt. Kenneth R. Murgatroyd
    Co-pilot 2nd Lt. James E Pennoyer Jr.
    Bombardier-2nd Lt. James K. Elderkin, Jr.
    Engineer-T/Sgt Stanley Lesser
    Ball Turret-S/Sgt Jerome P. Robinson
    Waist Gunner S/Sgt Howard Magnuson

     My brother is mayor of Wohlsborn and he called for help. He wants to put up a monument and a cermony for the KIA's. Now I need help to locate any family members of the 9 crewmen. I will be over there in Germany also.
     Now as for myself, I am ashamed that I come from Germany. Of what those people did. I lived in Weimar and Wohlsborn until 1956. By then I had my fill of the Communists and I escaped. I came to the USA and am a proud American since 1968 and married a lovely yank.
     Thank you so much for helping me to find the families.
     Inge Grondin

Re: Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: l.a.mitchell
On: 07/09/2001

i am sending your message to ken murgatroyd,James elderkin and james pennoyer. don't believe they are on internet.send me your U>S> mail address in event they respond to me and i can tell them how to contact you thanx,lam.

Re: Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: Ken McPherson
On: 07/12/2001

Hello Mr (or Mrs) Mitchell. Wuld you be so kind as to send (via e-mail, is possible) what reponses you received from the surviving crew members of 'Pistol Packin' Mama'. Also ant addresses (snail-mail) would b appreciated. Thank you. Ken McPherson, 8th AFHS, 493rd BGMA & 95th BGMA. Have a good day!! Ken.

Re: Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: l.a.mitchell
On: 07/13/2001

As of 7/13 no response fro Pistol Packin Mama

Re: Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: Inge Zimski
On: 06/18/2003

sorry i could not answer a lot sooner. Ima at the moment in ASIA,but i will be returning next week back to the USA. I have many original papers of the surving crewmembers while they were Interigated by the US officials. I also in contact with a few of them. Since i had to go to ASIA on an Emergency i have lost all the addys. If you would be so kind and send them to me i shurely will appreciate it. I was living real close by as the Plane Pistol Pakin Mama came down at my Village. I have photos and many other copies of this particular plane Thank you Inge

Re: Survivors of Pistol Packin Mama

Posted:
By: Inge Zimski
On: 06/18/2003