The Flag Still Flies At Station 131
by Allen Ostrom, Flak New Editor
An American flag still flies day and night on the “tall pole” near the old tower at Station 131, thanks to the many widows and loved ones who have contributed their casket flags.
Peggy Wells and son Tim monitored the flag program from their homes at Nuthampstead for more than twenty years. However, just recently Ozzie Oaborn has taken over the responsibility for its operation. Our 398th Flag Coordinator, Bob Bowen, is available to receive the flags and make shipments to England. Bob's address is 108 Alpine Way, Athens, GA 30606, but it would be useful to contact him first via e-mail before sending.
Following is the list of past contributors beginning with Col. Frank P. Hunter. The flags are “flown to destruction” and then burned at proper ceremonies when no longer suitable.
For updates to this chart, please contact our 398th Group Historian.
| Order | Name | Position | Squadron | Dates Flag Flown | Date Flag Burned | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frank P. Hunter, Jr. | Group CO | HQ | |||
| Charles J. Anderson (Bombardier, 600th) | - | - | We believe Charles J. Anderson flew his flag for a friend. | |||
| Fil E. Arbogast | Co-Pilot | 601st | ||||
| John Bawduniak | Waist Gunner | 603rd | ||||
| William J. Beatovich | SQ Navigator | 600th & 603rd | ||||
| William Benoe | Crew Chief | 601st | ||||
| James W. Bewley | Navigator | 600th | ||||
| John W. Bornstedt | Pilot | 601st | ||||
| Raymond Brokaw | Waist Gunner | 601st | ||||
| William Cantwell | Radio Operator | 600th | Robert Harvey Cantwell was in the 398th but we cannot find William Cantwell. Perhaps Robert flew his for William or William arranged to fly Robert's. | |||
| Walter F. Clark | Electrical Specialist | 600th | ||||
| Philip Collins | Ball Turret Gunner | 601st | ||||
| John J. Colwell, Jr. | Flight Chief | 602nd | ||||
| Ralph Coomes | Utility Officer | 325th Station Complement | ||||
| Lawrence Crocker | Navigator | 600th | ||||
| Julius Cubranich | Tail Gunner | 600th | ||||
| Tom Dougherty | Waist / Ball Turret / Tail Gunner | |||||
| Archie Devaudreuil (non 398th member) | ||||||
| Claude Dierolf | Navigator | 601st | ||||
| John T. Driscoll | Pilot | 602nd | ||||
| Clarence Ehret | Ordnance | 1449th Ordnance Sta. | ||||
| Pete Giuliano | Asst. Crew Chief | 602nd | ||||
| Ralph M. Hall | Tail Gunner | 601st | ||||
| Frank Hammill | HQ | |||||
| Warren Johnson | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Walter Kruse | Bombardier (KIA Jul-08-44) | 601st | ||||
| George Kuenneth | Radio Operator | 603rd | ||||
| Peter Latrenta | Asst. Crew Chief | 601st | ||||
| Hebert Licker | Bombardier | 601st | ||||
| Charles Ludlam | Intelligence Clerk | 602nd | ||||
| Jack Madlung | Waist / Tail Gunner | 603rd | ||||
| Mark W. Magnan | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Vincent Moore | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Reuel Myers, Jr. | Waist Gunner | 603rd | ||||
| James J. Nichols | CO Driver | HQ | ||||
| Archie Paris | Navigator | 603rd | ||||
| Albert Petska | Pilot | 602nd | ||||
| Albert Pichette | Officer's Mess | HQ | ||||
| Leo Poinke (non 398th member) | ||||||
| Charles J. Rayes | ? | ? | ||||
| Paul H. Rich, Jr. | Pilot (KIA Nov-21-44) | 603rd | ||||
| Erwin J. Riley | Crew Chief | 603rd | ||||
| Richard Schmidt | Crew Chief | 601st | ||||
| Charles F. Seal | Co-Pilot | 601st | ||||
| Clifton Self | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | 603rd | ||||
| Arthur A. Selevan | Bombardier | ? | ||||
| Alfred P. Shadroui | Ball Turret Gunner | 603rd | ||||
| Roy M. Sheely | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Thomas G. Slawson | Tail Gunner | 601st | ||||
| Harry J. Sleaman | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Forest C. Smith | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | 602nd | ||||
| Edward S. Stewart | Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Carl J. Strickrott | Group Bombardier | HQ | ||||
| Howard P. Studor | Togglier | 602nd | ||||
| Wally Tillman | Armorer | 601st | ||||
| Lester B. Veley | Bombardier | 601st | ||||
| Charles I. Wasserman | Co-Pilot | 603rd | ||||
| Frank J. Weiler | Tail Gunner | 602nd | ||||
| William E. Wells | Pilot | 600th | ||||
| Jack Wintersteen | Pilot | 602nd |