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Pitts, William Lawrence

Individual Personnel Data
Name Pitts, William Lawrence
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-757914
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #72 dated 16 April 1944, effective 16 April 1944.
  • Transferred to a non-384th unit, per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 22 November 1944 - Casual Pool, 70th Replacement Depot, APO 594, effective 18 November 1944.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 18 November 1944
Results Completed Tour, Returned to USA
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received on 24 August 1944 per General Orders #300, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 2 September 1944.
Additional Information
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at Roswell AAF, Roswell, New Mexico, Class #43-15, 23 October 1943.
  • Promoted to First Lieutenant on 8 July 1944 per 545th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 11 July 1944.
  • Granted a seven (7) day sick leave of absence effective 8 September 1944 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #178 dated 7 September 1944.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary duty to Furzdown House, AAF Station 563 (a Flak house) on 24 October to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #210 dated 23 October 1944.
Related Documents Accident Report # 44-11-16-527⇓ (10.047 MB)
Walter T Peterson Crew (Legacy)⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Peterson, Walter Thomas, "Pete"⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Malthouse, William Albert⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Cunningham, Wilbert Philmore⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Pitts, William LawrenceBombardierCT
S/SGT. Mignano, Anthony (NMI)⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Barth, Boyd Austin⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Coke, Crawford Calvin⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Frederick, Roger Royce⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. Evans, Homer Joseph⇗Flexible GunnerKIA
SGT. Flinn, Edward James⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 33 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
96⇗ 27 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Bombardier 42‑97521⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Did not atack target due to malfunction of bomb bay doors, and mechanical difficulty with release mechanism; jettisoned 7x1000# GP bombs 2 minutes before target and 1x1000# GP shortly after target.
Sortie Report⇗
98⇗ 29 April 1944 Target: Industrial District
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97521⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
100⇗ 4 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑37758⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑102518.
Sortie Report⇗
101⇗ 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
102⇗ 8 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
104⇗ 9 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Thionville, France 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
105⇗ 11 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Saarbrücken and Ehrang, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
106⇗ 12 May 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
133⇗ 12 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge 48°29'N,2°0'W
Type: Transportation
Location: La Vicomté-sur-Rance, France 		Bombardier 42‑97178⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
136⇗ 15 June 1944 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: La Possonnièrre, France 		Bombardier 42‑102442⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
142⇗ 21 June 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Industrial Area
Type: Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Composite High Group. Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
145⇗ 24 June 1944 Target: German Vacuum Oil Company
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Oslebshausen (Bremen area), Germany 		Navigator 42‑97271⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
146⇗ 25 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France 		Navigator 44‑6109⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
148⇗ 28 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Juvincourt (Juvincourt-et-Damary), France 		Bombardier 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group, 41st B wing. Landed away at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
149⇗ 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France 		Navigator 42‑97521⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
151⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France 		Navigator 44‑6109⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
154⇗ 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France 		Navigator 42‑107064⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
155⇗ 11 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Navigator 42‑107064⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
156⇗ 12 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Navigator 42‑97271⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to failure of #2 engine.
Sortie Report⇗
160⇗ 18 July 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde & Zinnowitz, Germany 		Navigator 42‑32106⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
161⇗ 19 July 1944 Target: Hydrogen Peroxide Plant
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Höllriegelskreuth District, Pullach, Germany 		Navigator 42‑97521⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
163⇗ 21 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany 		Navigator 42‑102430⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
164⇗ 24 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France 		Navigator 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
166⇗ 28 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Navigator 42‑31484⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
169⇗ 1 August 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Chartres, France 		Navigator 43‑37717⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, Low Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
170⇗ 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France 		Navigator 43‑37717⇗ Combat Mission Credit
I Group. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑31484.
Sortie Report⇗
171⇗ 4 August 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany 		Navigator 42‑31222⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
178⇗ 12 August 1944 Target: "Landing Ground"
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: La Perthe, France 		Navigator 42‑97510⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group. On return, arrived an hour-and-a-half late, possibly due to landing elsewhere to refuel.
Sortie Report⇗
181⇗ 16 August 1944 Target: Delitzsch Air Field and Air Equipment Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Delitzsch, Germany 		Navigator 43‑37717⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
183⇗ 24 August 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Navigator 42‑107148⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
219⇗ 4 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany 		Navigator 43‑38721⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
220⇗ 5 November 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Navigator 43‑38721⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
221⇗ 6 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany 		Navigator 42‑97271⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
222⇗ 8 November 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Plant (visual aim point)
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Navigator 43‑38721⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back with a gas leak in engine #3 and #4 on fire.
Sortie Report⇗
223⇗ 9 November 1944 Target: Ground Installations
Type: Military
Location: Ouvrages de Sorbey (Metz), France 		Navigator 43‑38678⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
224⇗ 10 November 1944 Target: Ostheim Airfield & Butzweilerhof Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Navigator 43‑38678⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41C Group, Lead Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
226⇗ 16 November 1944 Target: Tactical - Artillery Positions
Type: Military
Location: Eschweiler, Germany 		Navigator 43‑38721⇗ Combat Mission Credit
On return to England, in bad weather, pilots were instructed to divert and land at Stratford. Lt. Green landed long and collided with an aircraft still on the runway.
Sortie Report⇗

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