Personal War Service Record - Rev 1.0


THIS REPORT IS INTENDED FOR CONVERSION TO PDF FILE FORMAT (recommended),
BUT MAY ALSO BE SENT DIRECT TO YOUR PRINTER IF DESIRED.
THE PDF FILE MAY BE SHARED WITH OTHERS, AND MAY ALSO BE USED TO PRINT
PERMANANT COPIES, ON VARIOUS SIZED MEDIA, SINGLE- OR DOUBLE-SIDED.
Document margins are set to 0.75 inches, with a 1.0 inch top margin,
WHICH YIELDS SATISFACTORY RESULTS ON A4 OR LETTER SIZE PAPER .

THE WEBMASTER RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING:

FOR WINDOWS USERS, USE THE BROWSER PRINT FUNCTION
TO SEE HOW THE PDF DOCUMENT WILL LOOK.
IF NEEDED, SELECT FORMATTING OPTIONS IN THE PRINT DIALOG.
THEN SELECT "PRINT" AND CHOOSE THE "Microsoft Print to PDF" OPTION.

Notes:
Your PDF file may include some blank pages.
You are encouraged to print the document double-sided.
When printing double-sided, you may print pages a few at a time
to place the beginning of a topic on the right-hand page.


These instructions will not be printed to the PDF file.
CONTENT BEGINS BELOW THIS LINE






384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
Grafton Underwood Airfield, AAF Station 106, England
World War II

384th BG Patch


PERSONAL WAR SERVICE RECORDS

of

John Oliver Buslee

544th BS Patch

544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy)

CONTENTS

Individual Personnel Data
Original Crew
Combat Missions Summary
Combat Sortie Reports
Crewmate Summary
Aircraft Summary
Generated by 384thBombGroup.com on 6 March 2026, 7:46 PM (PST).
Document design and content © 1999-2026 by Webmaster
Individual Personnel Data
Name Buslee, John Oliver   ‡
Rank Second Lieutenant / First Lieutenant
Serial Number O-764209   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #144 dated 22 July 1944, effective 22 July 1944.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 28 September 1944
Results Killed In Action
Final Resting Place or Memorial: Saint Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 24 June 1923
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 9753⇓ (23.666 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗


Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Buslee, John OliverPilotKIA
2nd Lt. Albrecht, David Franklin⇗Co-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗NavigatorCT
1st Lt. Fryden, Marvin (NMI)⇗BombardierKIA
SGT. Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗Radio Operator / GunnerKIA
SGT. Seeley, Clarence Burdell⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
CPL. Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗Tail GunnerWIA
CPL. Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗Flexible GunnerKIA
SGT. Farrar, George Edwin⇗Flexible GunnerPOW
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 16 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
171⇗ 4 August 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑102620⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
173⇗ 5 August 1944 Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Langenhagen, Germany 		Co-pilot 42‑37982⇗ Combat Mission Credit
A flak shell exploded beside the nose of "Tremblin Gremlin" on the bomb run. "I'm hit" said the bombardier, 1st Lt. Marvin Fryden, but he remained at his bombsight until bombs-away, then collapsed. He had been hit in the chest, and subsequently died of his wounds. Schwery (pilot) and Seeley (TT) were also wounded, and the plane was severely damaged, barely making it back to England to land at Halesworth, AAF Station 365, on two engines, with no brakes, and many flak holes.
Sortie Report⇗
176⇗ 9 August 1944 Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Erding, Germany 		Pilot 44‑6149⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report⇗
177⇗ 11 August 1944 Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements
Type: Military
Location: Brest, France 		Pilot 42‑37822⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
178⇗ 12 August 1944 Target: "Landing Ground"
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: La Perthe, France 		Pilot 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report⇗
183⇗ 24 August 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑98000⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
187⇗ 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38062⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
188⇗ 5 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑37822⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
189⇗ 8 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 42‑97320⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
190⇗ 9 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑37822⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
191⇗ 10 September 1944 Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Sindelfingen, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38213⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
192⇗ 11 September 1944 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf & Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102661⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group.
Sortie Report⇗
194⇗ 13 September 1944 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany 		Pilot 43‑38016⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group lead.
Sortie Report⇗
198⇗ 25 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Pilot 42‑39888⇗ Combat Mission Credit
C Wing, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
200⇗ 27 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (PFF Aiming Points)
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Pilot 42‑102449⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High group deputy. Hot camera ship.
Sortie Report⇗
201⇗ 28 September 1944 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Magdeburg, Germany 		Pilot 43‑37822⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Collided with 42‑31222 over target: Wallace Storey related details of the collision in Decker's Memories (2nd edition, page 169). Both ships went down on fire and out of control; no chutes; crashed near Osteringersleben, Germany; MACR 9753.
Sortie Report⇗
SORTIE REPORT #5433
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑04 171 514 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany
V-Weapon Laboratory Attacked: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st C Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission. The long haul to Peenemünde on the Baltic - over 10 hours total flying time - was rewarded with visual bombing conditions at the primary target. Crews felt that the target area was well hit.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME GROUND CREW CHIEF
B-17G 42‑102620 ⇗ 546th BK*P DE RUMBLE IZER Clayton, Alfred George
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Shwery, Arthur John⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Fryden, Marvin (NMI)⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Seeley, Clarence Burdell⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 5433 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #5510
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑05 173 519 Target: Luftwaffe Controlling Station
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Langenhagen, Germany
Fighter Control Center: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st B Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission to knock out a control center for enemy fighter aircraft. Intense flak at the primary target did not deter the bombers, and visual bombing conditions enabled accurate bombing.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: A flak shell exploded beside the nose of "Tremblin Gremlin" on the bomb run. "I'm hit" said the bombardier, 1st Lt. Marvin Fryden, but he remained at his bombsight until bombs-away, then collapsed. He had been hit in the chest, and subsequently died of his wounds. Schwery (pilot) and Seeley (TT) were also wounded, and the plane was severely damaged, barely making it back to England to land at Halesworth, AAF Station 365, on two engines, with no brakes, and many flak holes. 		Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑37982 ⇗ 544th SU*K TREMBLING GREMLIN
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Shwery, Arthur John⇗ 544 Wounded
Co-pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Wounded
Bombardier Fryden, Marvin (NMI)⇗ 544 KIA
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Seeley, Clarence Burdell⇗ 544 Seriously Wounded
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Wounded
Sortie Report 5510 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #5595
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑09 176 533 Target: Erding Airdrome & Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Erding, Germany
More Bad Weather: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st B Combat Bombardment Wing - except for three aircraft from the 303rd BG, which formed the high element of the high group - on today's mission. Although the division abandoned operations at the Dutch Coast due to bad weather, the 41st B carried on until after they had passed Aachen, at which point the weather had become impenetrable. The wing leader ordered the wing to attack the briefed target of last resort, which the lead and high groups accomplished. However, the low group's bombsight gyro 'tumbled' just before bombs away, so they went on to bomb a target of opportunity (TOO), a bridge over the River Nahe at Nohfelden, Germany.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: Low group. 		TOO (Visual)
Target: Railroad & Highway Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: Nohfelden/Hoppstädten, Germany
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 44‑6149 ⇗ 547th SO*U HOT AFTER IT
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 5595 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #5651
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑11 177 541 Target: Tactical: Coastal Artillery Emplacements
Type: Military
Location: Brest, France
More Troop Support: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st A Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission. Little opposition and good weather conditions permitted each group formation to bomb their assigned targets in the Brest area accurately. Note that each group was assigned a different aiming point for this mission.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑37822 ⇗ 544th SU*C THE 'LEAD BANANA'
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 5651 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #5701
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑12 178 545 Target: "Landing Ground"
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: La Perthe, France
Luftwaffe Attacked Near Paris: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st C Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission. The mission proceeded generally as briefed, up until bomb release - then the bomb release on the high group lead aircraft failed to operate. The high group leader asked wing for permission to make a second run, which was granted, but the target was so obscured by prior bombing that they were unable to aim accurately. The high group then proceeded to the briefed secondary, an airfield between Étampes and Mondesir and completed a successful attack there.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Spare, Completed Mission
Comments: Lead group flying spare; joined formation. 		Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑38013 ⇗ 547th SO*C NEVADA AVENGER
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 5701 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #5907
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑08‑24 183 568 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Oil Pressure: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) provided all three groups of the 41st C Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission. The 8th AF continued to decimate the enemy's fuel supply by attacking this giant chemical complex. The C wing was to follow the A and B wings, but over the North Sea, they caught up and passed both, leading them from the enemy coast, for the rest of the mission. This was apparently due to the wings making different adjustments for cloud layers, and perhaps navigation errors. Although the 384th was prepared for a target obscured by clouds and smoke screen, there was sufficient visibility for visual bombing.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑98000 ⇗ 544th SU*J FIGHTIN' HEBE
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Galloway, Leonard (NMI)⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 5907 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6105
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑03 187 602 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Chemical Works Attacked: Thirty-six aircraft of the 384th BG flew as the 41st CBW C Wing and all aircraft attacked the primary target, a chemical works at Ludwigshaven, Germany. All aircraft, in combat wing formation released their bombs at 250-foot intervals on the Wing PFF aircraft.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑38062 ⇗ 544th SU*A PLEASURE BENT
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Henson, William Alvin, II⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Miller, Irving Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6105 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6137
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑05 188 605 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
German Industry Attacked: Thirty-six aircraft of the 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing B with thirty-five aircraft attacking the primary target. All aircraft attacking were in combat wing formation and released their bombs at 200 foot interval on the Wing Lead PFF aircraft.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑37822 ⇗ 544th SU*N not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Miller, Irving Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6137 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6173
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑08 189 611 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Target Visible at Last Minute: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) formed the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing C Wing. There were broken clouds near the target area but, at the last minute, sufficient clear areas opened allowing the Norden bombsight to be used. The primary target was bombed using visual sighting, with good results.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑97320 ⇗ 544th SU*G HOT ROCK
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Miller, Irving Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6173 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6223
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑09 190 614 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Ludwigshafen - Again!: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) formed the B Wing of the 41st Combat Bombardment Wing for today's mission. The primary target was a chemicals plant near Ludwigshafen, Germany. A visual attack was planned but a 10/10ths undercast required the Group to bomb using PFF aiming.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: Hot camera ship. 		Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑37822 ⇗ 544th SU*N not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Jacobson, George John⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Foster, Erwin Vernon⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6223 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6277
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑10 191 619 Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Sindelfingen, Germany
384th Leads Wing: The 384th Bomb Group (H) provided all aircraft for the 41st B CBW, the tenth of eleven wings in Air Task Force 3 of Eighth Air Force Mission 619. The lead and high squadrons attacked the primary target at Sindelfingen visually, after four and two bomb runs, respectively. The low squadron lost contact with the group leader and, after finding the primary target obscured by clouds, went on to bomb a target of opportunity, railroad marshaling yards between Stuttgart and Bad Cannstatt, Germany.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑38213 ⇗ 544th SU*D not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Watson, Paul Leland⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6277 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6284
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑11 192 623 Target: Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf & Merseburg, Germany
Primary Targets Spared By Weather: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the high section of the 41st A Combat Bombardment Wing (41A Group) and as the high section of the 41st B Combat Bombardment Wing (41B Group) on this mission. The primary target for the 41A Group, Lützkendorf oil installations in Germany, were obscured by a solid undercast, as was the secondary and an airfield near Giessen. Finally, a successful visual attack was accomplished on an unidentified factory in the Friedberg, Germany, area. This group saw several Me-163 'Komet' rocket-powered aircraft in the vicinity of Leipzig, and one near the Belgian coast, but they were not attacked. The 41B Group primary target, oil installations in the Merseburg, Germany, area was obscured by weather conditions. The formation then proceeded to the secondary target. Although the rest of the formation broke off the attack, the 384th pressed on and were able to drop their bombs in the vicinity of the target, although results were deemed 'poor.' This group was attacked by a single ME163 'Komet' rocket-powered aircraft, which made two passes on his formation (the high and low squadrons), in the vicinity of the primary target.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: 41A Group. 		Other (Visual)
Target: Factories
Type: Industry
Location: Friedburg & Eisenach, Germany
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑102661 ⇗ 544th SU*L BIG DOG
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Watson, Paul Leland⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Lucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6284 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6357
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑13 194 628 Target: Leuna Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
The 'Oil Campaign' Continues: The 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) led the 41st A Combat Bombardment Wing on today's mission, supplying all planes and crews, except for the high section of the high group which was filled by three aircraft from the 303rd BG.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: High group lead. 		Primary (Visual)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑38016 ⇗ 544th SU*R LORRAINE
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Commander Fairfield, William Adelbert, Jr⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Lord, Kenneth Smith⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Ward, Donald Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Sherriff, Albert Keith⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Miller, Irving Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner La Chine, Lloyd Earl⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6357 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6525
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑25 198 647 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Primary Target Attacked By PFF: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the 41st CBW B Wing, and as the lead and high groups of the 41st CBW C Wing. In all, 53 aircraft took off between 0700 and 0736. All formations bombed the primary target using PFF aiming, with unobserved results.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: C Wing, high group. 		Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑39888 ⇗ 544th SU*B HOTNUTS
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Rybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Davis, James Buford⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Miller, Irving Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Andersen, Gerald Lee⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6525 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6572
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑27 200 650 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (PFF Aiming Points)
Type: Transportation
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany
Marshalling Yards Bombed By PFF: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) formed the 41st CBW A wing for today's attack on railroad marshalling yards in Cologne, Germany.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Completed Mission
Comments: High group deputy. Hot camera ship. 		Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 42‑102449 ⇗ 547th SO*R HALE'S ANGELS
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Navigator Henson, William Alvin, II⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Bombardier Stearns, Robert Sumner⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Ball Turret Mitchell, Robert McKinley, Jr⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Tail Gunner Andersen, Gerald Lee⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 Completed, Uninjured
Sortie Report 6572 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
SORTIE REPORT #6630
MISSION DATA:
DATE 384th BG Mission # 8th AF Mission # 384th PRIMARY TARGET
1944‑09‑28 201 652 Target: Steelworks
Type: Industry
Location: Magdeburg, Germany
Two Bomb Runs - Primary Target Attacked: The 384th Bombardment Group (H) flew as the 41st CBW C Wing on today's mission. Near the target, another formation of bombers flew below this wing, forcing them to hold their bombs. The wing made a second bomb run and released their bombs on the primary target.
SORTIE DATA:
COMBAT CREDIT STATUS TARGET ATTACKED (MODE)
Yes Failed To Return
Comments: Collided with 42‑31222 over target: Wallace Storey related details of the collision in Decker's Memories (2nd edition, page 169). Both ships went down on fire and out of control; no chutes; crashed near Osteringersleben, Germany; MACR 9753. 		Primary (PFF)
SORTIE AIRCRAFT DATA:
TYPE SERIAL NUMBER SQUADRON SQ CODE NAME
B-17G 43‑37822 ⇗ 544th SU*N not known
SORTIE CREW DATA:
POSITION CREWMEMBER UNIT STATUS
Pilot Buslee, John Oliver⇗ 544 KIA
Co-pilot Albrecht, David Franklin⇗ 544 KIA
Navigator Henson, William Alvin, II⇗ 544 KIA
Bombardier Stearns, Robert Sumner⇗ 544 KIA
Radio Operator Peluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗ 544 KIA
Engineer/Top Turret Bryant, Lenard Leroy⇗ 544 KIA
Ball Turret McMann, George Francis, Jr⇗ 544 KIA
Tail Gunner Andersen, Gerald Lee⇗ 544 KIA
Waist (Flexible) Gunner Farrar, George Edwin⇗ 544 POW/Wounded
SORTIE-RELATED DOCUMENTS:
TYPE IDENTIFICATION
MACRMissing Air Crew Report # 9753⇗
Sortie Report 6630 provided by 384thBombGroup.com
SortieEngine.php Rev. 3.3.2, 22 June 2022
John Oliver Buslee flew combat missions
with the 25 crewmates listed below.
Those appearing in bold text are members of his original crew.
Rank Name Position Missions Flown
Together		 Results
2Lt-1LtAlbrecht, David Franklin⇗CP13KIA
S-S/SAndersen, Gerald Lee⇗TG3KIA
Cpl-S/SBryant, Lenard Leroy⇗FG-TT15KIA
2Lt-1LtDavis, James Buford⇗B11CT
2Lt-CaptFairfield, William Adelbert⇗P1CT
S-S/SFarrar, George Edwin⇗FG15POW
Cpl-S/SFoster, Erwin Vernon⇗BT7CT
1LtFryden, Marvin (NMI)⇗B2KIA
2Lt-1LtGalloway, Leonard (NMI)⇗B1CT
2Lt-1LtHenson, William Alvin⇗B-N3KIA
2LtJacobson, George John⇗N1CT
2Lt-1LtLa Chine, Lloyd Earl⇗B1CT
2Lt-CaptLord, Kenneth Smith⇗N1CT
S/SLucynski, Eugene Daniel⇗TG12WIA
Cpl-SMcMann, George Francis⇗BT1KIA
S-S/SMiller, Irving Leroy⇗BT-WG5CT
S-S/SMitchell, Robert McKinley⇗BT1CT
S-S/SPeluso, Sebastiano Joseph⇗R15KIA
2Lt-1LtRybarczyk, Chester Anthony⇗N10CT
S-T/SSeeley, Clarence Burdell⇗TT2CT
S/S-T/SSherriff, Albert Keith⇗R1CT
F/O-1LtShwery, Arthur John⇗CP-P2CT
2Lt-1LtStearns, Robert Sumner⇗B2KIA
2Lt-1LtWard, Donald Leroy⇗B1CT
S-S/SWatson, Paul Leland⇗BT2POW


John Oliver Buslee flew combat missions in the 14 aircraft listed below.
Serial Number Sq. Code Name Missions
43-37822SU*N3
42-37822SU*CTHE 'LEAD BANANA'1
42-37982SU*KTREMBLING GREMLIN1
42-38013SO*CNEVADA AVENGER1
42-39888SU*BHOTNUTS1
42-97320SU*GHOT ROCK1
42-98000SU*JFIGHTIN' HEBE1
42-102449SO*RHALE'S ANGELS1
42-102620BK*P, SU*F,KDE RUMBLE IZER1
42-102661SU*LBIG DOG1
43-38016SU*RLORRAINE1
43-38062SU*APLEASURE BENT1
43-38213SU*D1
44-6149SO*UHOT AFTER IT1