Grafton Underwood, England (Station 106) 1943-1945
Combat History of the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy) in WWII
384th Bombardment Group (Heavy)
"Keep The Show On The Road"
| Name | Mendias, Ferdinand J ‡ |
| Rank | Corporal / Sergeant |
| Serial Number | 19003096 ‡ |
| Unit Assignments | Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #34 dated 11 February 1945, effective 11 February 1945. |
| Duty | Ball Turret Gunner |
| MOS | 611 - Aerial Gunner |
| Last Duty Date | 23 March 1945 |
| Results |
Killed In Action Final Resting Place or Memorial: Calvary Cemetery East Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California |
| Additional Information |
|
| Related Documents | Missing Air Crew Report # 13611⇓ (7.970 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Crew Photo Album⇗ |
| CREWMEMBER | POSITION | RESULTS |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Lt. Connor, John Michael⇗ | Pilot | POW |
| 2nd Lt. Robinette, Mack (NMI)⇗ | Co-pilot | POW |
| 2nd Lt. Bellavance, Paul Joseph, Jr⇗ | Navigator | POW |
| CPL. Hollenbeck, Claude (NMI), "HOLLIE"⇗ | Togglier | POW |
| CPL. Fulton, Max Johns⇗ | Radio Operator / Gunner | KIA |
| CPL. Earl, Willard George⇗ | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | POW |
| CPL. Mendias, Ferdinand J | Ball Turret Gunner | KIA |
| PVT. Ainsworth, Donald James⇗ | Tail Gunner | WIA |
| CPL. Burke, Hal Eugene⇗ | Flexible Gunner | POW |
| Number | Date | Target | Position | Aircraft | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 287⇗ | 12 March 1945 |
Target: Railway Center Type: Transportation Location: Betzdorf, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑39060⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 291⇗ | 18 March 1945 |
Target: Schlesischer Railway Station Type: Transportation Location: Berlin, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑39053⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Lead Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 292⇗ | 19 March 1945 |
Target: Braunkohle-Benzin Synthetic Oil Plant Type: Oil Industry Location: Bohlen, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑38548⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit 41C Group. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 293⇗ | 20 March 1945 |
Target: Deutsche Werft Submarine Shipyard Type: Submarine Facility Location: Hamburg, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑38747⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 294⇗ | 22 March 1945 |
Target: German Hutted Camps (Barracks) at 51°36'N,7°06'E Type: Military Location: Westerholt, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑38766⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Low Squadron hot camera ship. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 295⇗ | 23 March 1945 |
Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards Type: Transportation Location: Gladbeck, Germany |
Ball Turret | 43‑39053⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Failed To Return Left formation at target on fire after aircraft received direct flak burst, setting #4 on fire and #2 started smoking; the aircraft lost 8-10,000ft in a spin, then exploded in mid-air; two to four chutes observed; crashed near Duisburg, Germany. MACR 13611 Sortie Report⇗ |