Soto, Roman Serrano

Individual Personnel Data
Name Soto, Roman Serrano, "Ray"   ‡
⇗
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 39848953   ‡
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #38 dated 28 June 1943, effective 28 June 1943.
  • Transferred to a non-384th unit, per 547th Bomb Squadron Morning Reports of 9 May 1945 and 11 May 1945 - 70th Reinforcement Depot, AAF Station Stone, effective 11 May 1945.
Duty Flexible Gunner / Radio Operator / Gunner
Last Duty Date 11 May 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 27 October 1918
  • Volunteered for a second tour; 45 missions, shot down twice.
  • Placed on Temporary Duty to the 10th Replacement Depot for Official Business per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #84 dated 28 August 1943. Officer and EM will proceed by rail to Station 598 on 1 September 1943 and will return to this station upon completion of Temporary Duty. Personnel will carry fatigue clothing and other personal equipment.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #3 dated 4 January 1944.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty to Moulsford Manor near Chelsey, Berkshire (a FLAK House) on or about 18 January 1944 per AAF Station Special Orders # 9 dated 14 January 1944.
    Reported missing on MACR 10197 on 17 September 1944. He bailed out after his aircraft was severely damaged by flak, landed in Allied Territory and returned to duty.
  • Placed on seven (7) days Temporary Duty at Spechtley Park, Worcester, AAF Station 562 (a Flak House) on 27 September 1944 to carry out the orders of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #190 dated 26 September 1944.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 10197⇓ (7.749 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Willing, Mark Skinner, Jr⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Martin, Rudolph Alfred, "Rudy"⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Haley, Bruce Thomas⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Brown, Robert E⇗BombardierCT
T/SGT. Pisarski, Joseph Frank⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
T/SGT. Holloway, Durwood Harmon⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Ott, Robert Edward⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Pharr, Keating Sams⇗Tail GunnerCT
PVT. Smith, Walter Blaine⇗Flexible GunnerCT
S/SGT. Soto, Roman Serrano, "Ray"Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 45 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
27⇗ 2 October 1943 Target: Port Facilities
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29768⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
28⇗ 4 October 1943 Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29768⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Ipswich due to low fuel.
Sortie Report⇗
29⇗ 8 October 1943 Target: Workshops
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29768⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
30⇗ 9 October 1943 Target: Aircraft Factories
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Anklam, Germany 		Radio Operator 41‑24529⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑3216. Subsequently aborted, unable to locate formation after late takeoff.
Sortie Report⇗
31⇗ 10 October 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Münster, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑3429⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
32⇗ 14 October 1943 Target: Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29768⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back. Landed away at Ridgewell.
Sortie Report⇗
33⇗ 20 October 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Düren, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29632⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
34⇗ 3 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Wilhelmshafen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑29768⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Squadron of composite group.
Sortie Report⇗
35⇗ 5 November 1943 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑5051⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
38⇗ 29 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑39796⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back; oxygen system problems.
Sortie Report⇗
39⇗ 1 December 1943 Target: Non-Ferrous Metals Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Solingen, Germany 		Radio Operator 41‑24578⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Flying Spare; joined formation. Landed away at Manston.
Sortie Report⇗
40⇗ 5 December 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France 		Radio Operator 42‑29733⇗ Flying Spare, Returned As Briefed
Sortie Report⇗
42⇗ 13 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
43⇗ 16 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Alconbury
Sortie Report⇗
47⇗ 30 December 1943 Target: I. G. Farben Industrie, Chemical/Synthetic Rubber Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
48⇗ 31 December 1943 Target: Blockade Runner 'Orsone' (name of ship)
Type: Transportation
Location: [Mouth of River Garonne], France 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Molesworth; bombs jettisoned.
Sortie Report⇗
49⇗ 4 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
51⇗ 7 January 1944 Target: Powerhouse
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron #4; assumed Squadron lead after assigned Squadron lead aircraft failed to take off; then led remaining group aircraft on the mission after weather broke up the group formation, causing most (including assigned group lead) to turn back.
Sortie Report⇗
52⇗ 11 January 1944 Target: Ju-88 Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37801⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Joined formation of the 401st BG and completed the mission. Landed away at RAF Mepal, Cambridgeshire, on return due to weather.
Sortie Report⇗
53⇗ 14 January 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Le Meillard, France 		Radio Operator 42‑31606⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
56⇗ 30 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead group low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
57⇗ 3 February 1944 Target: Submarines (under construction)
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
58⇗ 4 February 1944 Target: Alfred Teves Main Works: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group, 41st A Combat Wing.
Sortie Report⇗
60⇗ 6 February 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Radio Operator 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
61⇗ 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑38013⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
70⇗ 3 March 1944 Target: Roller-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑31433⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
71⇗ 4 March 1944 Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑31433⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
72⇗ 6 March 1944 Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37801⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High group deputy, 40th Composite Combat Wing. Returned to base after group leader abandoned attempt to join assigned combat wing.
Sortie Report⇗
73⇗ 8 March 1944 Target: Erkner Ball-Bearing Factory
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑37801⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑97231⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead, low group.
Sortie Report⇗
87⇗ 10 April 1944 Target: Evere Airfield (50°54'3"N 4°20'9"E)
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Brussels / Bruxelles, Belgium 		Radio Operator 42‑97237⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
195⇗ 17 September 1944 Target: Tank and Gun Concentrations, Tactical
Type: Military
Location: Eindhoven & 's‑Hertogenbosch (den Bosch), The Netherlands 		Radio Operator 44‑8011⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
F Squadron lead. At 1122 hrs, prior to the IP, a direct flak burst hit the #2 engine, and the right wing caught fire. The aircraft exploded shortly before or on hitting the ground. Crashed near Liege, Belgium. MACR 10197
Sortie Report⇗
213⇗ 18 October 1944 Target: Ford Motor Works
Type: Industry
Location: Cologne / Köln, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑97592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy. PFF ship. Took over on bomb run after lead Gee-H equipment failed, but too late to bomb primary. Led Squadron to attack secondary by PFF.
Sortie Report⇗
218⇗ 2 November 1944 Target: Ruhr-Chemie A.G. Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Sterkrade (Holten), Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑102449⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy. Gee-H ship. Led Squadron on bomb run.
Sortie Report⇗
221⇗ 6 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bottrop (Welheim), Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑102449⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron deputy. Led Squadron on bomb run.
Sortie Report⇗
238⇗ 11 December 1944 Target: Road & Rail Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Mannheim, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8221⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead D Group. PFF & Gee-H ship. Because the group leader did not climb over clouds at French coast, this Squadron continued on its own to the IP and target, attacking by Gee-H.
Sortie Report⇗
241⇗ 19 December 1944 Target: Railway Junction
Type: Transportation
Location: Glaadt, Germany 		Radio Operator 43‑38630⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy. Landed away at RAF Fairwood Common near Swansea, Wales.
Sortie Report⇗
250⇗ 3 January 1945 Target: Enemy Strong Point & Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: St Vith, Belgium 		Radio Operator 44‑6514⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
251⇗ 5 January 1945 Target: Landing Ground
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Neiderbreisig, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8401⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
256⇗ 17 January 1945 Target: Railroad Viaduct
Type: Transportation
Location: Bielefeld, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑97592⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
264⇗ 3 February 1945 Target: Tempelhof Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Radio Operator 43‑38016⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
266⇗ 14 February 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Dresden, Germany 		Radio Operator 42‑97986⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
274⇗ 25 February 1945 Target: Tank & Submarine Engine Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Friedrichshafen, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8541⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead; Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
277⇗ 28 February 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hagen, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8649⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead; PFF and Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
278⇗ 1 March 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Bruchsal, Germany 		Radio Operator 43‑38647⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
281⇗ 4 March 1945 Target: Ordnance Depot
Type: Military
Location: Ulm, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead; PFF and Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
286⇗ 11 March 1945 Target: Vacuum Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
290⇗ 17 March 1945 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Bohlen (Leipzig), Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8668⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead; PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗
297⇗ 24 March 1945 Target: Twente Enschede Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands 		Radio Operator 44‑8649⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead. PFF & Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
302⇗ 3 April 1945 Target: Underground Oil Storage Depot
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8541⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group lead. PFF & Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report⇗
307⇗ 9 April 1945 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany 		Radio Operator 44‑8668⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report⇗

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