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Pitelka, Francis Jerome

Individual Personnel Data
Name Pitelka, Francis Jerome   
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-673944   
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #112 dated 6 October 1943, effective 6 October 1943.
  • Transferred to the 482nd Bomb Group, Station 102, Alconbury, per 544th Bomb Group Morning Report dated 19 January 1944, effective 19 January 1944.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 19 January 1944
Results Transferred
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 11 October 1918
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at San Angelo AAF, San Angelo, Texas, Class #43-04, 11 March 1943.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Morrison, Donald SylvesterPilotCT
2nd Lt. DeMille, Robert EversleyCo-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Childs, Everett LynnNavigatorEV
2nd Lt. Pitelka, Francis JeromeBombardierTR
T/SGT. Striesfeld, Nathan (NMI)Radio Operator / GunnerTR
T/SGT. Henry, Maurice Victor, "Red"Engineer / Top Turret GunnerMIA
S/SGT. Engwer, Donald LeroyBall Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Schamber, Albert MartinTail GunnerKIA
S/SGT. Bucher, James FrankFlexible GunnerMIA
S/SGT. Burger, Joseph EarnestFlexible GunnerCT

Crew History

The ten members of the Morrison Crew arrived at two different times: the officers arrived on 6 October 1943, and the enlisted men arrived on 27 October 1943. Evidence linking them together as a single crew was obtained from a photo taken during their stateside training (the photo does not include Schamber). Navigator Childs flew his first mission with another crew on 14 November 1943 and was shot down, thus not flying any missions with the Morrison Crew. The other members flew at least one mission each with Morrison, but it is clear that the crew identity was lost - at least on combat missions. Morrison, DeMille, Engwer, and Burger were transferred to the 305th BG on 20 March 1944, and all returned to the 384th in April 1944. Bucher (MIA), Henry (MIA), and Schamber (KIA) did not survive their tours; Childs was shot down but evaded capture.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 8 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
-- 30 October 1943 Target: Marshaling Yard
Type: Transportation
Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany
Bombardier 41‑24575 Sortie Report
34 3 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Wilhelmshafen, Germany
Bombardier 41‑24575 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
36 16 November 1943 Target: Knaben II Molybdenum Mine
Type: Industry
Location: Knaben, Norway
Bombardier 41‑24560 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to loose oil line on prop governor
Sortie Report
37 26 November 1943 Target: City Center
Type: Non-Military
Location: Bremen, Germany
Bombardier 42‑39784 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
39 1 December 1943 Target: Non-Ferrous Metals Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Solingen, Germany
Bombardier 42‑37885 Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Flying Spare; joined formation; turned back over enemy territory due to a cracked cylinder head on #4 engine.
Sortie Report
41 11 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany
Bombardier 42‑39784 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
42 13 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany
Bombardier 42‑29733 Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report
45 22 December 1943 Target: Steel Shops/Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Osnabrück, Germany
Bombardier 42‑39784 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
49 4 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany
Bombardier 42‑29703 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
50 5 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany
Bombardier 42‑37924 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report

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