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 Combat Tour
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 Olivi⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Plunkett, Meredith Watson, Jr⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Donehoo, William Montgomery⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Miller, John Franklin⇗BombardierCT
T/SGT. Patterson, James Redmond⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
T/SGT. Graham, John Mebane⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Wearne, Walter Eugene⇗Ball Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Potempa, Walter (NMI)Tail GunnerCT
S/SGT. Matican, Sigmund Sidney⇗Flexible GunnerKIA
SGT. Philpott, Thomas Edward⇗Flexible 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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