401st Bomb Group (H) Association
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Bill Gillespie
12/5/2001 6:04:05 PM
I would like contact with anyone who remembers Elmer's Tune
and its pilot, Elmer Gillespie.  He is my father, he and the
crew of his plane have all departed and I am constructing a
history of my family and his daily life with the 401st is
empty.  I have a list of his missions and the training he
went through, as my mother was a "camp follower."  Thank you.
Donald Byers
12/6/2001 8:33:03 AM
http://www.tankbooks.com/bookshop2.htm

Found this book at Amazon.com runs abt $20.00

I will look around when I get home today and see if I can find some info on him and crew.

Don Byers

Bill
12/6/2001 1:56:05 PM
Wow  I never knew this, and I am sure my father did not either.  I will be getting the book and sharing it with my mother.  Thank you!  Bill
Bill
12/6/2001 3:24:29 PM
Donald, in reading about the book from an internet search, I am not sure it is the same aircraft.  This Elmer's Tune went down in Feb '44, my father was there '44 to '45.  As Elmer's Tune was a popular song of the time, it could be a coincidence.
Donald Byers
12/7/2001 1:31:54 PM

This could be true.  I didn't dive into the web page and check out the book just thought it was interesting.  I hope I will have a chance to pass some info to you tonight If I can find anything.  I will most likely leave work early as the bug has got me!!!!!!!

Don


Bill
12/7/2001 1:43:12 PM
Thanks for the reply back.  I have also corresponded with the author, and he also feels it is a coincidence of names.  So we are going to do some comparisons and see what we can come up with.  Hope you are well soon.  Here is my email: ltahoe@yahoo.com.
Bill
Donald Byers
12/7/2001 3:01:07 PM
Sent you a scan of the crew list and missions they flew.  The Aircraft was listed in the 401 Book but not to a serial number or crew.

Don
Hugh
12/10/2001 4:25:55 PM
I don't mean to horn in on a private exchange, but my sources mention a B-17, E.T. serial number 44-6471 in the 92nd BG/326th BS; besides the ET listed in the 401st.  Incidently, the 401st Elmer's Tune doesen't have a s/n listed.  Could you please give me its serial number for my records?  Thank you...

                         Hugh
Donald Byers
12/14/2001 1:39:32 PM
This is what the forum is out there for.  So you are not getting into a personal conversation.

You are correct there is no S/N attached to this aircraft and none of my info has it either.  I did ask to see if he had a serial number but have had no reply.

Thanks Don Byers
Lubbock Texas
l.a. mitchell
12/14/2001 4:04:45 PM
Bill,according to our latest Roster.Margaret Gillespie(your mother?) is a member of 401st Accoc. Why don't you join as an associsate member...dues are only $10,non-voting. See FAMILY MEMBER application under MEMBERSHIP on this site. You'll be glad you did. We have our biennial Reunion in Tucson October  2002 and if you attend, you may get more info on your dad from/other members present.lam.