Individual Personnel Data
| Name |
Cronin, Willard John ‡
|
| Rank |
Staff Sergeant |
| Serial Number |
11052822 ‡ |
| Unit Assignments |
Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #42 dated 4 July 1943, effective 4 July 1943. |
| Duty |
Flexible Gunner |
| Last Duty Date |
23 September 1943 |
| Results |
Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Not identified in National Archives POW database. |
| Decorations | Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 30 July 1943 per General Orders #88, Headquarters, 1st Bomb Wing dated 16 August 1943. |
| Additional Information | |
| Related Documents |
Missing Air Crew Report # 748⇓ (24.645 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Crew Photo Album⇗ |
Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
| CREWMEMBER |
POSITION |
RESULTS |
| 2nd Lt. Higdon, Philip Earl⇗ | Pilot | POW |
| 2nd Lt. Boyce, Ernest Marshall, Jr⇗ | Co-pilot | POW |
| 2nd Lt. Begab, Meyer (NMI)⇗ | Navigator | POW |
| 2nd Lt. Johnston, Lawrence Edwin, "Larry"⇗ | Bombardier | POW |
| T/SGT. Boehm, Richard John⇗ | Radio Operator / Gunner | TR |
| T/SGT. Jett, James Loveless⇗ | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | POW |
| S/SGT. Cunningham, Kenneth Henry⇗ | Ball Turret Gunner | TR |
| PVT. Klonowski, Francis Dominick⇗ | Tail Gunner | POW |
| S/SGT. Cronin, Willard John | Flexible Gunner | POW |
| S/SGT. Jacobson, Joseph (NMI)⇗ | Flexible Gunner | KIA |
Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 4
Combat Missions.
| Number |
Date |
Target |
Position |
Aircraft |
Mission/Sortie Information |
|
10⇗ |
25 July 1943 |
Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard
Type: Industry
Location: Hamburg, Germany |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner |
42‑29927⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗ |
|
11⇗ |
28 July 1943 |
Target: Aircraft Engine Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner |
42‑29728⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report⇗ |
|
13⇗ |
30 July 1943 |
Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Kassel, Germany |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner |
42‑5848⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit
Crash-landed at Boxted, AAF Station 150, on return, with extensive battle damage due to enemy aircraft and flak, with five wounded crewmen aboard. 2nd Lt. William Russell Harry awarded Silver Star (see 'As Briefed' p. 197).
Sortie Report⇗ |
|
25⇗ |
23 September 1943 |
Target: Submarine Repair Ship
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Nantes, France |
Waist (Flexible) Gunner |
42‑3459⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Shot down by enemy aircraft shortly after crossing the coast of France, crashed near Pontivy, France; MACR 748. Co-pilot Ritt was pilot of a newly assigned crew, flying his first orientation mission.
Sortie Report⇗ |
Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.
