401st Bomb Group (H) Association
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Gene Farr, Jr.
1/7/2010 10:40:06 PM
I have been searching information about my father who served on a B17 during 1944. I have requested information from the government on his service records, but I am told that his files were probably destroyed in a fire at the personnel center somtime ago.
He was a staff sargeant and waist gunner and flew numerous misions over Norway and Germany.
How can I find about his military service? His name was Eugene L. Farr from Littleton, New Hampshire.

Thank you
P Bellamy
1/8/2010 11:30:06 AM
I found an enlistment record for a carpenter named Eugene L Farr living in Grafton County, New Hampshire.

Born in Vermont in 1919, enlisted at Manchester, New Hampshire on April 20th 1942, serial number 31108057.

Hope that's of use,
PB
Rick Kaufman
1/8/2010 12:32:54 PM
Our online database (401st BG) doesn't include anyone with the surname of "Farr".  Our historian may have additional records to examine, but Paul's information looks like a good start for you.
Win Bryson
1/8/2010 7:07:30 PM
Hi Gene:

If Paul's post is correct and your Dad is/was WWII USAAF S/Sgt. Eugene L. Farr, ser.31108057, b.1919, Ve., from Littleton, NH, enlisted April 20th 1942 Manchester, NH, you now have the 'core' info to search with.  Using that info, suggest:
- - Re-inquiring to the NPRC (National Presonnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue;  St Louis, MO  63132-5100).
- - Request (if your Dad was a War Casualty) his 'IDPF' from the US Army's Human Resources Command, Chief, FOI & Privacy Office, 200 Stovall St., Alexandria, Va., 22332-0400.

Other sources I suggest querying are his 'home state's':
- - Adjutant General's Office';
- - State Archives;
- - WWII War Memorials;
- - (County &/or local) VFW and American Legion posts;.
- - (County &/or local) Libraries and historical societies (for newspaper notices, articles and maybe photos).
These may also have links, references or databases.

Finding your Dad's USAAF Group/Squadron is key to learning more about his Life...'Over There'.

If your Dad survived the War the Veterans Administration may have info, but I've never tried exploring there.

Regardless, good hunting, and keep in-touch - you have a lot of 'search' company.

Win Bryson
Gene Farr, Jr.
1/8/2010 11:19:27 PM
Thank you. Yes that was him. I am trying to find out what Bomber group and squadron he belong to, where he was stationed in England and his service records.
Is there any way to find this information?
I have a photo of him and his crew in front of their aircraft with some some numbers and a date.

GN 129-13-379  10/27/44

My guess is that the GN means a Group Number. The 379 designates the 379th Bomber Group.

Thank you again
Eugene Farr, Jr.
Eugene Farr, Jr.
1/8/2010 11:22:30 PM
Thank you. I am now thinking that he was with the 379th and not the 401st after revieving a photo of him with some numbers that are GN 129-13-379
Eugene Farr, Jr.
1/8/2010 11:34:51 PM
Thank you. I have been exploring for awhile some of the links you suggested. There is a lot of searching to be done. He did survive the war, but he died in 1982 and never really had the chance to talk to him about his service.

I have a photo of him with his crew with some numbers at the bottom of the photo. I am thinking they relate to his bomber group and squadron, but I am not sure. I have seen many crew photos with numbers at the bottom of the photos. I am thinking that it designates the Bomber Group and location. Not really sure however.

Do these numbers mean anything? GN 129-13-379
Is 379 the bomber group??

Thank you
Gene Farr
Don Kirkman
1/13/2010 1:53:39 PM
There's a picture of your father's plane (Hellcat Agnes) and crew, including your father, on footnote.com (http://www.footnote.com/document/241298534/); a Google search on the plane name turns up:  303 Bomb Group, 358th Bomb Squadron (http://www.303rdbg.com/aircraft-alp.html) and at least one more picture of the plane.  Good luck with your hunt.