Kaessner, Howard Lee

Individual Personnel Data
Name Kaessner, Howard Lee   
Rank Staff Sergeant / Technical Sergeant
Serial Number 39565677   
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #113 dated 15 June 1944, effective 15 June 1944.
  • Assigned to the 545th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #238, effective 4 December 1944.
Duty Radio Operator / Gunner
MOS757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF
Last Duty Date 28 March 1945
Results Completed Combat Tour
DecorationsAwarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received on 11 October 1944 per General Orders #439, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Division dated 18 October 1944.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 12 April 1924
  • Promoted to Technical Sergeant on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #132 dated 8 July 1944.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty (TD) to Palace Hotel, AAF Station 524 (a Flak house) on 14 November 1944 to carry out the instructions of the Commanding General per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #223 dated 12 November 1944.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Dudock, Edward PeterPilotCT
2nd Lt. Nicholson, Gilbert OrinCo-pilotCT
1st Lt. Hoech, Julius Florence, JrBombardierCT
S/SGT. Kaessner, Howard LeeRadio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Mettler, Jesse WayneEngineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Carr, Edward JosephBall Turret GunnerTBD
SGT. Liebmann, David PeterTail GunnerKIA
SGT. Armentrout, Elvin JahuneFlexible GunnerCT
SGT. Thompson, Bruce RoyFlexible GunnerCT

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 35 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
145 24 June 1944 Target: German Vacuum Oil Company
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Oslebshausen (Bremen area), Germany
Radio Operator 44‑6149 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back; reason unknown.
Sortie Report
146 25 June 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge & Embankment
Type: Transportation
Location: Sens, France
Radio Operator 42‑97263 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
147 27 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Storage Depot)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Saint-Martin-L'Hortier, France
Radio Operator 42‑97263 Combat Mission Credit
41st B section.
Sortie Report
148 28 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Juvincourt (Juvincourt-et-Damary), France
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
High group, 41st A wing. Landed away at Wattisham, AAF Station 377, on return due to weather.
Sortie Report
149 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
151 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
High group flying spare; joined formation.
Sortie Report
153 7 July 1944 Target: Me-109 Aircraft Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
High group, 41st A wing.
Sortie Report
154 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
Lead group.
Sortie Report
157 13 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97150 Combat Mission Credit
41B Group.
Sortie Report
158 16 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97263 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Flying Spare. Joined formation.
Sortie Report
159 17 July 1944 Target: Beautor Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Beautor, France
Radio Operator 43‑37703 Combat Mission Credit
Low group. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑38013.
Sortie Report
160 18 July 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde & Zinnowitz, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑38013 Combat Mission Credit
41B Group, High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
161 19 July 1944 Target: Hydrogen Peroxide Plant
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Höllriegelskreuth District, Pullach, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑38013 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, lead group.
Sortie Report
162 20 July 1944 Target: Aircraft Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Dessau, Germany
Radio Operator 43‑37870 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
163 21 July 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Schwäbisch Hall, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97150 Combat Mission Credit
High group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
164 24 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: La Chapelle en Juger & Hébécrevon, France
Radio Operator 42‑38208 Combat Mission Credit
High group hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
165 25 July 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Montreuil-sur-Lozon, Le Châtel,
& La Chapelle en Juger, France
Radio Operator 43‑37870 Combat Mission Credit
High Group, High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
167 29 July 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil & Chemical Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Merseburg, Germany
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, high group, 41st B wing.
Sortie Report
168 31 July 1944 Target: Aero Engine Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Munich / München, Germany
Radio Operator 43‑37843 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report
169 1 August 1944 Target: Railroad Bridge
Type: Transportation
Location: Chartres, France
Radio Operator 44‑8011 Combat Mission Credit
Lead Group, High Squadron Lead. Dropped bombs early.
Sortie Report
170 3 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury, Flers, Fiefs, France
Radio Operator 44‑8011 Combat Mission Credit
I Group Deputy and Hot Camera Ship.
Sortie Report
171 4 August 1944 Target: Rocket Research & Development Complex
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Peenemünde, Germany
Radio Operator 44‑8011 Combat Mission Credit
High Group Deputy and Hot Camera Ship.
Sortie Report
174 7 August 1944 Target: Aircraft Fuel Depot
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dugny (Paris), France
Radio Operator 44‑8011 Combat Mission Credit
Low group deputy and hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
175 8 August 1944 Target: Tactical - Enemy Strong Points
Type: Military
Location: Bretteville-sur-Laize, France
Radio Operator 44‑8011 Combat Mission Credit
High group deputy and hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
185 26 August 1944 Target: Buer Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑102449 Combat Mission Credit
Wing deputy and hot camera ship.
Sortie Report
186 30 August 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Crepieul, France
Radio Operator 42‑107121 Combat Mission Credit
Hot camera ship. High Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report
187 3 September 1944 Target: I. G. Farben Chemical Works
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Radio Operator 44‑6080 Combat Mission Credit
Hot camera ship. Low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
191 10 September 1944 Target: BMW Motor Component Parts Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Sindelfingen, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97960 Combat Mission Credit
Hot camera ship; low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
193 12 September 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Brüx, Czechoslovakia
Radio Operator 42‑97960 Combat Mission Credit
Group deputy.
Sortie Report
197 21 September 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Mainz, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑107125 Combat Mission Credit
High (composite) group lead.
Sortie Report
202 30 September 1944 Target: Handorf Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Münster, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97986 Combat Mission Credit
Low group lead. PFF ship.
Sortie Report
204 3 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑102449 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead. Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report
209 11 October 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Wesseling, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97941 Combat Mission Credit
First Squadron deputy. Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report
223 9 November 1944 Target: Ground Installations
Type: Military
Location: Ouvrages de Sorbey (Metz), France
Radio Operator 44‑6105 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
228 23 November 1944 Target: Nordstern Coking Plant at Gelsenkirchener Bergwerks-A.G.
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Radio Operator 42‑97824 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron deputy, A group; Gee-H ship.
Sortie Report
229 25 November 1944 Target: Synthetic Oil Plant
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Lützkendorf, Germany
Radio Operator 43‑38616 Combat Mission Credit
Landed away at Aldermaston, due to weather.
Sortie Report

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