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Wells, Benjamin Franklin

Individual Personnel Data
Name Wells, Benjamin Franklin   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-703544   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #107 dated 8 June 1944, effective 5 June 1944.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 20 July 1944
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 20 July 1944 per General Orders #20, Headquarters, Miami District, AAF Personnel Distribution Command dated 31 August 1945.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 21 September 1921
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Big Spring AAF, Big Spring, Texas, Class #43-18, 24 December 1943.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 7278 (36.954 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Bahten, John IrwinPilotCT
2nd Lt. Sine, George HenningCo-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Cohn, Herbert JayNavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Wells, Benjamin FranklinBombardierPOW
SGT. Biancalana, Mario JosephRadio Operator / GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Santa Maria, Luis (NMI)Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Higbie, Franklyn HenryBall Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Jarreau, Lloyd JosephBall Turret GunnerCT
SGT. McCullough, Robert EugeneTail GunnerCT
SGT. Eager, Robert DuaneFlexible GunnerCT

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 6 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
137 16 June 1944 Target: Athies Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Laon, France
Bombardier 42‑97204 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
138 18 June 1944 Target: Ölwerke Julius Humbles
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Bombardier 44‑6080 Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report
139 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France
Bombardier 42‑97150 Combat Mission Credit
41B Group.
Sortie Report
140 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France
Bombardier 42‑97204 Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report
158 16 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Bombardier 42‑38013 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
162 20 July 1944 Target: Aircraft Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany
Navigator 42‑37974 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
High Group. At 1115 hrs aircraft dropped back and released bombs, apparently unable to keep up with formation; it was under attack by four ME109s and two FW190s; four chutes seen; the aircraft went down in a glide, apparently under control; crashed near Zetteritz, Germany. MACR 727.
Sortie Report

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