Connolly, William Edward, Jr

Individual Personnel Data
Name Connolly, William Edward, "Bill", Jr   ‡
⇗
Rank Sergeant / Staff Sergeant
Serial Number 19078633   ‡
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per 546th Bomb Squadron morning report dated 21 March 1944, effective 18 March 1944.
Duty Ball Turret Gunner
MOS748 - Army Airplane Mechanic / Gunner, Flight Engineer
Last Duty Date 28 July 1944
Results Completed Combat Tour
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 21 September 1921
  • Promoted to Staff Sergeant per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #78 dated 26 April 1944.
  • Placed on seven days Temporary Duty on 10 June 1944 to American Red Cross Club (a Flak House) per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #108 dated 9 June 1944.
  • Attached to the 1140th Military Police Company for rations, quarters and administration per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #140 dated 17 July 1944.
  • Relieved from attachment to the 1140th Military Police Company for rations, quarters and administration per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #148 dated 26 July 1944.
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelConnolly Signing⇗
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album⇗
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Gekakis, Anthony⇗PilotCT
2nd Lt. Thoma, Edward Paul⇗Co-pilotKIA
2nd Lt. Simmons, Wilbur (NMI)⇗NavigatorCT
2nd Lt. Dolson, Henry James, "HANK"⇗NavigatorFCMEW
S/SGT. Zinninger, William Maynard⇗Radio Operator / GunnerCT
S/SGT. Wilson, John Franklin⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Ticknor, Edward Charles⇗Engineer / Top Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Connolly, William Edward, Jr, "Bill"Ball Turret GunnerCT
SGT. Tucker, Clifton Roland⇗Tail GunnerCT
SGT. McDonald, Edward William⇗Flexible GunnerCT
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 31 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
83⇗ 27 March 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Tours & Chartres, France 		Ball Turret 42‑37776⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41 Squadron.
Sortie Report⇗
84⇗ 28 March 1944 Target: Dijon-Longvic Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Dijon, France 		Ball Turret 42‑37776⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
85⇗ 29 March 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97251⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1215 hrs because he could not locate the Group due to bad weather.
Sortie Report⇗
86⇗ 9 April 1944 Target: FW-190 Fighter Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Marienburg, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97251⇗ Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off
This aircraft did not take off. Crew did not transfer to a Spare Aircraft.
Sortie Report⇗
88⇗ 11 April 1944 Target: FW Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Sorau, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑37776⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Flying Spare Aircraft; joined formation.
Sortie Report⇗
89⇗ 13 April 1944 Target: Ball-Bearing Plant
Type: Bearings Industry
Location: Schweinfurt, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑31222⇗ Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back at 1157 hrs because #1 engine was running rough and smoking.
Sortie Report⇗
90⇗ 18 April 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Oranienburg, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
91⇗ 19 April 1944 Target: Fieseler Aircraft Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel (Waldau), Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
92⇗ 20 April 1944 Target: V-Weapon Service Bunker (under construction)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Sottevast, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97320⇗ Combat Mission Credit
A Wing, High Group. Ground Spare Aircraft; replaced 42‑97273. Took off late (1622 vs 1525 hrs) but caught formation.
Sortie Report⇗
93⇗ 22 April 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Hamm, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
95⇗ 25 April 1944 Target: Metz-Frescaty Airdrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Metz, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
100⇗ 4 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑31211⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, lead group, 41st CBW.
Sortie Report⇗
101⇗ 7 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
102⇗ 8 May 1944 Target: Friedrichstrasse Railroad Station
Type: Transportation
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead.
Sortie Report⇗
105⇗ 11 May 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Saarbrücken and Ehrang, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
111⇗ 21 May 1944 Target: NOBALL (Supergun Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Mimoyecques, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Group A Low Squadron Lead. Landed away at RAF Wratting Common, Cambridgeshire, on return.
Sortie Report⇗
113⇗ 23 May 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
114⇗ 24 May 1944 Target: Unidentified Military Installations
Type: Military
Location: Berlin, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report⇗
119⇗ 29 May 1944 Target: Focke-Wulf Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Krzesiny District, Poznań, Poland 		Ball Turret 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
120⇗ 30 May 1944 Target: Aircraft Hangars and Repair Sheds
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97139⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
122⇗ 2 June 1944 Target: Gun Battery with six 155mm guns, Tactical Support
Type: Military
Location: Hardelot (5 miles S of Boulogne), France 		Ball Turret 42‑97072⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
124⇗ 3 June 1944 Target: Coastal Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: Le Touquet, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97142⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
126⇗ 5 June 1944 Target: Field Artillery Battery
Type: Military
Location: La Fosse, France 		Ball Turret 42‑102601⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Group, Low Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
128⇗ 6 June 1944 Target: Two Bridges
Type: Transportation
Location: Caen, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97139⇗ Combat Mission Credit
J Squadron Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
130⇗ 7 June 1944 Target: Transportation Hub
Type: Military
Location: Condé-sur-Noireau, France 		Ball Turret 42‑102620⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗
131⇗ 8 June 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (41C) & Loire River Railroad Bridge (41D)
Type: Transportation
Location: Orleans, France 		Ball Turret 42‑31222⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41D Group, Group Deputy. Ground Spare aircraft, replaced 42‑97139. Bombed Primary Target.
Sortie Report⇗
139⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41A Group, High Squadron Lead.
Sortie Report⇗
140⇗ 19 June 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Fleury & Crépy, France 		Ball Turret 42‑38014⇗ Combat Mission Credit
41B Group Deputy.
Sortie Report⇗
141⇗ 20 June 1944 Target: Oil Refineries
Type: Oil Industry
Location: Harburg (Hamburg area), Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑102933⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Group Deputy. Assumed lead after Stallings aborted; Thoma (pilot) killed by flak over target, co-pilot and navigator seriously wounded.
Sortie Report⇗
149⇗ 30 June 1944 Target: Airfield
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Montdidier, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97948⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, lead group.
Sortie Report⇗
151⇗ 6 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Coubronne, France 		Ball Turret 42‑97948⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High section lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
153⇗ 7 July 1944 Target: Me-109 Aircraft Factory
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Leipzig, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑102620⇗ Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron lead, high group, 41st A wing.
Sortie Report⇗
154⇗ 8 July 1944 Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site)
Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons)
Location: Renescure, France 		Ball Turret 42‑107121⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron lead, high group.
Sortie Report⇗
155⇗ 11 July 1944 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards
Type: Transportation
Location: Munich / München, Germany 		Ball Turret 42‑97273⇗ Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗

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