| Posted | Message |
|---|
MArk D Scanlon
4/30/2012 11:18:23 AM | Dear Forum: I'm looking for any advice or recommendations on finding out more about Lt Wm M Scanlon's (my dad) DFC citation. Through VetRecs, NARA has provided me with a photocopy of what looks to be a 3x5 card with Dad's name, SN, etc and a date of May 18, 1945 on it, but nothing about what action(s) may have warranted the award. NARA lists this tidbit as an "alternative source" with nothing else to search on. Lt Scanlon ended his combat tour with the 401st in Apr45 and began to muster out in May45, with an honorable discharge in July45.
I know that many Vet records were lost in the 1973 fire, but would love to know about alternative sources. If you have any ideas, I'd appreciate them.
Thanks,
MS
|
Steve Greenberg
6/21/2012 8:04:57 PM | Mark,
My father in law was in the 613th Squadron. S/Sgt John Pear. He recieved the DFC. He is still with us at 95 years old! He told me he recieved the DFC for flying over 25 missions. (He flew 27) I have the original paperwork that came with the DFC and it does not give a specific reason other than "flying a number of combat bombardment missions over Germany and German occupied countries from 2 June 1944 to 24 August 1944".
Steve 😎
|
donaldbyers
6/22/2012 11:57:05 AM | That is a good reason why I've been unable to come up with a specific citation for Mark.
Steve might you be able to provide additional names on this photo /Site/Search/Photo.asp?pid=10228#menu. We are also interested in other photos your father-in-law may have. Such as A2 Jackets or if he had one does someone still have it to take a color photo of it? Other B-17s that he flew or took photos of. A diary of sorts are good bits of information. Our reunion is just weeks away in Colorado, City CO.
Thanks Don
Group Historian
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
|
Steve Greenberg
6/23/2012 11:04:33 AM | Don,
I will have John identlfy all of the guys in the photo. John fell and broke his leg on 31 May. He had surgery to reapair the leg and he is currently in a rehab facility. John is making slow but positive progress. He is 95 and it will be very difficult for John to get back to the condition he was in before he fell. John was living at home by himself with his dog! I stopped by everyday to see him.
John wore out is A2 jacket years ago. I would like to have had it! I will see if I can find any photos of it. He did not have many photos. John is 1 of 3 crewman left from the crew of Kuta that flew the Madame Queen. Larry Mings is in Fl. and Bob Nicholson in MT. I located Bob a could years ago and arrainged for Bob and John to meet for he first time since WWII! Thay had a nice visit.
Thanks,
Steve 😎
|
donaldbyers
6/23/2012 11:58:38 AM | Ouch, I'm sorry to hear about his recent fall. Thanks for posting the photos on the web site!!!
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
|
Steve Greenberg
6/24/2012 11:06:50 PM | Don,
I asked John about indentifying all the guys in the photo today. The 3 guys sitting you have listed correctly already, Vernon French, Joe Chartier and Chet Kuta. The guys standing on the wing from left to right are: Bob Nicholson, John Pear, C.S. Hunt (John was not sure about the 4th guy but probably Fisher) and C. Larry Mings. John said that Snodgrass dropped out real early and John manned both the left and right waist guns because Fisher took over for Snodgrass.
Steve 😎
|
donaldbyers
6/25/2012 2:23:56 PM | Thanks Steve,
Great information to add to the photo.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
|
MArk D Scanlon
6/29/2012 10:57:00 AM | Steve: Thanks for your reply about DFCs. After more research I have learned that many DFCs were awarded for excellent, cummulative tours of duty, which is likely what your father-in law's and my dad's were given for, rather than for a single, specific action.
Best.
Mark
|
donaldbyers
6/29/2012 11:51:25 AM | Am sure that still happens today, as in Viet Nam our unit got a Bronze Star after 6 months and then a silver start pretty much on compleation. Not with Valor but we were and Intelligent unit not a gound echelon.
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
|