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Potempa, Walter (NMI)

Individual Personnel Data
Name Potempa, Walter (NMI)   
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 35567589   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #38 dated 26 February 1944, effective 26 February 1944.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 31 May 1944
Results Completed Tour, Returned to USA
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 26 September 1919
  • Walter Potempa flew 25 combat missions with the 15th Air Force prior to being assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group.
  • He was credited with a combined total of 25 combat missions.
  • Promoted to technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #102 dated 1 June 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Yokie, John OliviPilotCT
2nd Lt. Plunkett, Meredith Watson, JrCo-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Donehoo, William MontgomeryNavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Miller, John FranklinBombardierCT
T/SGT. Patterson, James RedmondRadio Operator / GunnerCT
T/SGT. Graham, John MebaneEngineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Wearne, Walter EugeneBall Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Potempa, Walter (NMI)Tail GunnerCT
S/SGT. Matican, Sigmund SidneyFlexible GunnerKIA
SGT. Philpott, Thomas EdwardFlexible GunnerCT

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 12 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
74 9 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑37982 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
75 16 March 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Repair Works
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑31346 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
76 18 March 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly & Repair Works
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑39888 Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Lead Squadron, high composite group. Turned back at 1246 hrs, deep in enemy territory, because #3 supercharger went out and aircraft could not maintain position in the formation.
Sortie Report
77 19 March 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-2 Storage and Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Wizernes, France
Tail Gunner 42‑97150 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
78 20 March 1944 Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑3440 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
79 22 March 1944 Target: Heinkel Aircraft Assembly Plant at Annahof Airfield
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑37885 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
83 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France
Tail Gunner 42‑3429 Combat Mission Credit
94 Group, Flying Spare. Joined formation.
Sortie Report
85 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑37785 Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Polebrook, due to weather.
Sortie Report
94 24 April 1944 Target: Dornier-Werke GMBH Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑31495 Combat Mission Credit
Landed with wounded crewmen aboard.
Sortie Report
95 25 April 1944 Target: Metz-Frescaty Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Metz, France
Tail Gunner 42‑37982 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead.
Sortie Report
96 27 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France
Tail Gunner 42‑3440 Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report
97 27 April 1944 Target: Toul/Croix de Metz Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France
Tail Gunner 42‑107083 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
99 1 May 1944 Target: Launch Site in Foret Nationale de Tournehem
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Foret Nationale de Tournehem, France
Tail Gunner 42‑37785 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report

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