Pitelka, Francis Jerome

Individual Personnel Data
Name Pitelka, Francis Jerome   ‡
⇗
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-673944   ‡
Unit Assignments
  • Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #112 dated 6 October 1943, effective 6 October 1943.
  • Transferred to the 482nd Bomb Group, Station 102, Alconbury, per 544th Bomb Group Morning Report dated 19 January 1944, effective 19 January 1944.
Duty Bombardier
MOS1035 - Bombardier
Last Duty Date 19 January 1944
Results Transferred
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 11 October 1918
  • Graduated from Bombardier School at San Angelo AAF, San Angelo, Texas, Class #43-04, 11 March 1943.
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Morrison, Donald Sylvester⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. DeMille, Robert Eversley⇗Co-pilotCT
2nd Lt. Childs, Everett Lynn⇗NavigatorEV
2nd Lt. Pitelka, Francis JeromeBombardierTR
T/SGT. Striesfeld, Nathan (NMI)⇗Radio Operator / GunnerTR
T/SGT. Henry, Maurice Victor, "Red"⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerMIA
S/SGT. Engwer, Donald Leroy⇗Ball Turret GunnerCT
S/SGT. Schamber, Albert Martin⇗Tail GunnerKIA
S/SGT. Bucher, James Frank⇗Flexible GunnerMIA
S/SGT. Burger, Joseph Earnest⇗Flexible GunnerCT

Crew History

The ten members of the Morrison Crew arrived at two different times: the officers arrived on 6 October 1943, and the enlisted men arrived on 27 October 1943. Evidence linking them together as a single crew was obtained from a photo taken during their stateside training (the photo does not include Schamber). Navigator Childs flew his first mission with another crew on 14 November 1943 and was shot down, thus not flying any missions with the Morrison Crew. The other members flew at least one mission each with Morrison, but it is clear that the crew identity was lost - at least on combat missions. Morrison, DeMille, Engwer, and Burger were transferred to the 305th BG on 20 March 1944, and all returned to the 384th in April 1944. Bucher (MIA), Henry (MIA), and Schamber (KIA) did not survive their tours; Childs was shot down but evaded capture.
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 8 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
--⇗ 30 October 1943 Target: Marshaling Yard
Type: Transportation
Location: Geilenkirchen, Germany 		Bombardier 41‑24575⇗ FLIGHT TIME 5:00
Sortie Report⇗
34⇗ 3 November 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Wilhelmshafen, Germany 		Bombardier 41‑24575⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 7:15
Sortie Report⇗
36⇗ 16 November 1943 Target: Knaben II Molybdenum Mine
Type: Industry
Location: Knaben, Norway 		Bombardier 41‑24560⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back due to loose oil line on prop governor
FLIGHT TIME 7:30
Sortie Report⇗
37⇗ 26 November 1943 Target: City Center
Type: Non-Military
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑39784⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 5:40
Sortie Report⇗
39⇗ 1 December 1943 Target: Non-Ferrous Metals Plant
Type: Industry
Location: Solingen, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑37885⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Returned Early
Flying Spare; joined formation; turned back over enemy territory due to a cracked cylinder head on #4 engine.
FLIGHT TIME 6:00
Sortie Report⇗
41⇗ 11 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Emden, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑39784⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 5:55
Sortie Report⇗
42⇗ 13 December 1943 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Bremen, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑29733⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
FLIGHT TIME 5:30
Sortie Report⇗
45⇗ 22 December 1943 Target: Steel Shops/Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Osnabrück, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑39784⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 5:30
Sortie Report⇗
49⇗ 4 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑29703⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 7:15
Sortie Report⇗
50⇗ 5 January 1944 Target: Port Area
Type: Transportation
Location: Kiel, Germany 		Bombardier 42‑37924⇗ Combat Mission Credit
FLIGHT TIME 8:00
Sortie Report⇗

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