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tpatterson
10/16/2012 6:25:24 AM | My father says that at the end of the War he and others who had flown 17 missions or more were given the choice to train on B-29s for the war in Japan or to become instructors. Is this mission count and option correct? Just checking memory accuracy.
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donaldbyers
10/16/2012 8:30:37 AM | Many of those who came back from Europe did begin training on the B-29 and to train crews for the Pacific side of the war. The main effort for the US was to win the war in Europe first and then the Pacific. The threshold of 17 Missions I am not sure of but one could believe that a preference of choice could be awarded to those who have reached that level.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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donaldbyers
10/16/2012 8:48:00 AM | By the way what is your fathers First name and MI?
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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tpatterson
10/20/2012 9:16:37 AM | Don,
Thanks for replies. Not sure what MI is but here is info on my father.
Bert Patterson, 613th Sq. Lt. Shunk's crew. At Deenthorpe late 44 or early 45 to end of War in Europe. Waist Gunner/Toggelier. Flew 10 mission as borrowed Toggelier. Website says 5 missions with own crew. Dad says he flew 17. I can't account for the missing 2 missions. I would assume that they were aborted (some were) and did not get into the official count except for the fact that he qualifed for instructor after end of war in Europe based on 17 missions (assuming his memory on much of this is correct).
Terry
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donaldbyers
10/20/2012 11:23:46 AM | That would be "Middle Initial". We are in the process of updating the database in the regards to unique crews. Each loading list that we have will be checked and data will be changed to reflect that mission on that day with that crew and aircraft. We hope to have this effort completed before the mini-reunion in Aug of next year. I did talk to a waist gunner just the other day that lives about 1 1/2 miles from me who was with the 612th BS and he didn't have a choice and went on to start training on B-29's but the war was over before he reported, he had less than 10 missions though.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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tpatterson
11/6/2012 9:47:52 AM | Don,
Bert Patterson's middle initial might be O for Oliver. He did not get a birth certificate when he was born (SE Oklahoma 1918). A birth certificate was issued when he entered the army in 1941 I believe. I say "might be O" because he sometimes used that MI and sometimes did not. He was a Jr. and I believe his father used Oliver as MI. Some of Dad's official documents have the O and some do not. I would go with what his military records say. If I can dig up his separation document I will let you know.
Terry
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donaldbyers
11/6/2012 12:50:09 PM | You can use the form SF-180 to write to the NARA but most likely you will get the standard reply about the 1970 fire. But you can also asked for a Reconstructed file. If you have already done this then never mind. Thanks for your work.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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