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Gregori, Raymond Patrick

Individual Personnel Data
Name Gregori, Raymond Patrick   
Rank Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 19128120   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho, Special Orders #32 dated 1 February 1943, effective 1 February 1943.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS612 - Airplane Armorer / Gunner
Last Duty Date 1 September 1943
Results Wounded In Action
DecorationsAwarded the Silver Star for 'gallantry in action' on a mission over Germany on 12 August 1943.
Awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received on 12 August 1943 per General Orders #89, Headquarters 1st Bomb Wing dated 17 August 1943.
Citation For
Higher Decoration
SILVER STAR. RAYMOND P. GREGORI, 19128120, Staff Sergeant, Army Air Forces, Unites States Army. For gallantry in action, while serving as tail gunner of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 12 August 1943. Fifteen minutes prior to reaching the target, Sergeant Gregori was severely wounded by an exploding 20 MM shell burst in the tail compartment of the plane. With complete disregard for his painful wounds, Sergeant Gregori remained at his station fighting off determined enemy attacks until his guns were put out of action. Not once did he indiicate that he had been wounded, until the attacks were over, when another member of the crew discovered his condition. The courage, skill and devotion to duty displayed by Sergeant Gregori serve as an inspiration to his fellow fliers and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Home address: Los Angeles, California.

Citation Source: 'As Briefed...'
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 13 March 1923
  • Appointed Staff Sergeant per 544th Bomb Squadron Morning Report dated 14 March 1943.
  • Ordered to attend Gunnery School at Snettisham, Norfolk, for approximately 10 days beginning on or about 30 May 1943, on SO #21 dated 30 May 1943. Students are required to bring .50 cal. Ammunition, gas mask, steel helmet, mess equipment, blankets, clothing for ten days, and draw 'PX rations' in advance.
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #73 dated 17 August 1943.
  • Transferred in grade to the Detachment of Patients, 30th General Hospital, APO 514 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #86 dated 1 September 1943.
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelGregori Signing
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Original 384th Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Hausenfluck, Jesse Dee, JrPilotKIA
2nd Lt. MacKenzie, Donald BCo-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Everson, Charles WNavigatorPOW
2nd Lt. Kennedy, Robert JBombardierPOW
SGT. Bucheri, Sebastian (NMI)Radio Operator / GunnerPOW
PVT. Kilcourse, John ThomasEngineer / Top Turret GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Taylor, Everett AndrewEngineer / Top Turret GunnerTR
SGT. Traylor, James AudinBall Turret GunnerPOW
SGT. Gregori, Raymond PatrickTail GunnerWIA
S/SGT. Kelley, John RFlexible GunnerPOW

Crew History

The Hausenfluck Crew joined the 544th BS at Wendover on 1 February 1943. Identified as "Crew #3" on the assignment order, they became the first "Crew #43" in the squadron.

Before moving to England, Taylor was transferred to the 354th B HQ AAB Squadron at Sioux City, Iowa. Taylor was replaced on the crew by S/Sgt John C Blauer, who joined the squadron on 19 April 1943 at Sioux City, Iowa.

The crew flew to England and flew most of their missions together, with minimal substitutions, until they were shot down on 17 August 1943, the "First Schweinfurt" mission. Pilot Hausenfluck and copilot Mackenzie were KIA, and the remainder of the crew became POWs for the rest of the war.

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 7 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
2 25 June 1943 Target: Industrial Area & Submarine Pens
Type: Military
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑30139 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Returned to base due to weather conditions; pilot was unable to maintain contact with the formation.
Sortie Report
3 26 June 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Tail Gunner 42‑30142 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
High Squadron Deputy. Turned back with number 1 engine running very rough, with insufficient supercharger boost.
Sortie Report
4 28 June 1943 Target: Fighter Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Beaumont-le-Roger, France
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
5 29 June 1943 Target: duNord Aircraft Works, Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Waist (Flexible) Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Squadron #2 (customary position for Deputy, but not so designated on formation chart).
Sortie Report
6 4 July 1943 Target: Gnome et Rhone Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Le Mans, France
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
8 14 July 1943 Target: Villacoublay Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Paris, France
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at Splasher 10 at 0711 hrs when #3 prop governor broke and prop ran away.
Sortie Report
9 24 July 1943 Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants
Type: Industry
Location: Herøya, Norway
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
12 29 July 1943 Target: Naval Base
Type: Military
Location: Kiel, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
13 30 July 1943 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑29956 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
14 12 August 1943 Target: Synthetic Fuel Hydrogenation Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Tail Gunner 42‑30142 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report

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