603rd Squadron History

September 1944

As follows is a transcript of the monthly report from the 603rd Squadron to the 1st Bombardment Division. Many names are mentioned in the report. You may wish to use your web browser's Find Command to search for a particular individual. If you are unsure about the spelling, try the first few letters.

 

8th Air Force
1st Bombardment Division
398th Bombardment Group (H)
603rd Bombardment Squadron
_________

Period Covered from September 1, 1944 to September 30, 1944
Prepared by
David M. Hall, 1st Lt., A.C.

Squadron History
603rd Bombardment Squadron (H)

 

September 1, 1944

The following was received too late too late to be entered in the history last month.

  1. E.W. Reaves, co-pilot and F.C. Wismer, pilot were promoted from Flight Officer to Second Lieutenant (dated August 24, 1944)
  2. Robert W. Kaufman, flight commander was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain (dated August 28, 1944).
  3. Hebert M. Troost, navigator and Charles J. Mellis, co-pilot were promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant dated (dated August 28, 1944)

The following men completed their tour of duty:

  1. T/Sgt. V.J. Bryan
  2. T/Sgt. G.E. Fedder
  3. S/Sgt. J.M. Howard
  4. S/Sgt. J.L. Gaynor
  5. S/Sgt. L.R. McIver

Albert A. Grossman, cryptographic office, was promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant.

1st Lieutenant William J. Durtschi was appointed a squadron flight commander.

September 2, 1944

Major Jean B. Miller assumed command of the 603rd Squadron. He formerly was Group Operations Officer.

He replaces Capt. J.G. Davidson, Jr., who has been transferred to the States, possibly in a B-29 out-fit.

The following officers were promoted from Second Lieutenant to First Lieutenant:

  1. J.E. Allare
  2. D.E. Rush
  3. E.W. Spitzer
  4. W.J. Vanderlick
  5. J.R. Haas
  6. D.W. Maryott
  7. W.P. Taylor
  8. L.M. Waring, Jr.
  9. M.A. Wolf

The following officers were assigned to the Squadron:

  1. 2nd Lt. F.C. Wismer
  2. F/O A. Pares
  3. 2nd Lt. E.W. Reaves, and
  4. 2nd Lt. E.N. Severson

September 3, 1944

Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany.

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

2nd Lt. George Potter flew as mickey operator with 600 Sq.

The following men completed their tour of duty:

  1. S/Sgt. E.S. Wright
  2. S/Sgt. A.B. Cross
  3. S/Sgt. F. A. Kowalczyk
  4. S/Sgt. C.L. Self

September 5, 1944

Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany

The 603rd Squadron was stood down today.

September 6, 1944

Captain Meyer C. Wagner, Jr., former Squadron Commander who went down over enemy lines in France on August 8th notified the Squadron that he and 1st Lt. Vonn Wernecke (who also was in the plane on that date) were safe in a nearby hospital.

September 8, 1944

Target: Ludwigshafen, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

Captain R.J. Kaufman led the low Group. Two men in the Squadron were killed in action as a result of flak:

  1. 2nd Lt. J.D Sauer, bombardier
  2. Corporal J.B. Colbert, tail gunner

S/Sgt. L.R. Witmer finished his tour of duty.

September 9, 1944

Captain S.P. Cullinan and Lt. Col. R.K. Simeral (Group Air Executive) led the Group to Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Major J.B. Miller and 1st Lt. R.E. Ullom were in the deputy ship.

2nd Lt. H.A. Mattila finished his tour of duty.

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

September 10, 1944

Target: Stuttgart, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

2nd Lt. George Potter flew mickey operator with 600 Sq.

The following men were assigned to the 603rd Squadron:

  1. 2nd Lt. A.J. Stockman
  2. 2nd Lt. W.C. Parker
  3. 2nd Lt. E.K. Hoyne
  4. 2nd Lt. C. Wilbur
  5. 2nd Lt. PH. Rich, Jr.
  6. 2nd Lt. R.R. Stuart
  7. 2nd Lt. D.J. McCorkindale
  8. 2nd Lt. B.R. Kearney

September 12, 1944

Target: Brux, Czechoslovakia

The 603rd Squadron was stood down today.

September 13, 1944

Captain W.F. Scott and 1st Lt. W.J. Durtschi led the high group to Lutzkendorf, Germany.

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

The following men completed their tour of duty:

  1. Sgt. C.A. Merchant
  2. T/Sgt. T.J. Campbell
  3. T/Sgt. F.H. Cannon
  4. S/Sgt. O.E. Meador
  5. S/Sgt. C.A. Michael
  6. Sgt. J.W.? Marbit
  7. T/Sgt. J. Ariotti
  8. T/Sgt. E. Badovinac
  9. T/Sgt. J.F. Faughn
  10. T/Sgt. S.J. Gresh [Lee has as S.J. Cresh]
  11. T/Sgt. J.G. Perry
  12. T/Sgt. G.E. Seibert
  13. S/Sgt. A.E. Armstrong, Jr.
  14. S/Sgt. H.E. Beatty
  15. S/Sgt. O.L. Beatty
  16. T/Sgt. J.J. Clifford
  17. S/Sgt. J.D. Herman
  18. S/Sgt. C.F. Johnson
  19. S/Sgt. M.J. McGinty
  20. S/Sgt. J.F. McNally
  21. S/Sgt. D.J. Naragon
  22. S/Sgt. J.W. O’Brien
  23. 1st Lt. H.L. Dalton
  24. 1st Lt. W.J. Durtschi
  25. 1st Lt. G.K. Laick?
  26. 1st Lt. W.E Engel
  27. 1st Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold
  28. 1st Lt. E.D. Jones
  29. 1st Lt. E.C. Jordan
  30. 1st Lt. L.S. Lassegard
  31. 1st Lt. D.W. Maryott
  32. 1st Lt. W.P. Taylor
  33. 1st Lt. R.W. Wilkins
  34. 1st Lt. R.A Winkler
  35. 1st Lt. M.A. Wolf
  36. 1st Lt. W.H. Wright
  37. 1st Lt. W.A. Wright, Jr.

September 15, 1944

George E. Rusinak, Squadron Adjutant and Group Transportation Officer was promoted from First Lieutenant to Captain.

September 16, 1944

Stanley DeLafayette, Jr. was promoted from Flight Officer to Second Lieutenant.

September 17, 1944

Target: Eindhoven Area, Holland

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

Captain V.K. Stoll and Major Bruce Daily (600 Sq) led the Wing and Captain S.P. Cullinan flew in deputy Lead position.

The following men completed their tour of duty:

  1. S/Sgt. G.C. Gower
  2. S/Sgt. E.R. Anderson
  3. S/Sgt. R.L. Moore
  4. S/Sgt. E.W. Welence
  5. S/Sgt. L.A. Puthoff
  6. S/Sgt. A.C. Martorello or [Lee has Martorelly in Original Crews]
  7. T/Sgt. D.A. Vredenburg
  8. T/Sgt. G.E. Lynn
  9. T/Sgt. B.L. Holmes
  10. T/Sgt. B. Mendes
  11. T/Sgt. H.B. Butler
  12. T/Sgt. R.W. Winters
  13. T/Sgt. F.J. Hopp
  14. 1st Lt. J.R. Moskewitz
  15. 1st Lt. E.W. Klatte
  16. 1st Lt. D.E. Rush
  17. 1st Lt. H.M. Troost
  18. 1st Lt. W.E. Marsh
  19. 1st Lt. W.G. Fisher
  20. 1st Lt. R.E. Ullom
  21. 1st Lt. J.E. Aceto
  22. 1st Lt. C.A. Waldbauer
  23. 1st Lt. D.B. Moore
  24. 1st Lt. L.M. Sundheim
  25. Captain S.P. Cullinan
  26. Captain H.H. Latson, Jr,
  27. Captain V.K. Stoll

September 19, 1944

Target: Hamm, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

2nd Lt. Potter flew mickey operator with 600 Squadron.

The following men completed their tour of duty:

  1. S/Sgt. C.L. Berwick
  2. 1st Lt. J.O. Hobbs
  3. 1st Lt. Cariotno Turner

September 20, 1944

D.B. Paul, Jr. was promoted from Flight Officer to Second Lieutenant.

September 21, 1944

Captain Talma A. Scott was assigned to the Squadron.

September 22, 1944

Target: Kassel, Germany.

The 603rd squadron was stood down today.

September 23, 1944

The following Second Lieutenants were assigned to the Squadron:

  1. 2nd Lt. P.E. Powell
  2. 2nd Lt. S.T. Walker
  3. 2nd Lt. J.K. Hancock
  4. 2nd Lt. B.E. Phelps
  5. 2nd Lt. A.F. Reed
  6. 2nd Lt. R.J. Wanserski
  7. 2nd Lt. S.R. Mates
  8. 2nd Lt. J.J. Proctor
  9. 2nd Lt. H.F. Spangler
  10. 2nd Lt. R.E. Weidig
  11. 2nd Lt. J.H. Schanzbach
  12. 2nd Lt. J.V. Mayhall

September 24, 1944

The following Second Lieutenants were assigned to the Squadron:

  1. 2nd Lt. J.F. Stevens
  2. 2nd Lt. I. Ravinsky
  3. 2nd Lt. C.E. Slusher
  4. 2nd Lt. J.A. Tarr, Jr.
  5. 2nd Lt. J.W. Osborn
  6. 2nd Lt. R.M. Welty
  7. 2nd Lt. W.G. Small
  8. 2nd Lt. R.T. Gaynor

1st Lt. Harry Nelson, navigator, was transferred to the 603rd Squadron from the 600th Squadron.

1st Lt. William J. Beatovich, navigator, was transferred to the 603rd Squadron from the 600th Squadron and assumes Squadron Navigator duties, Vice 1st Lt. L.W Sundheim.

Editor’s Note
  1. The word Vice was checked very carefully in the original text. A dictionary usage shows that it can mean “as a substitute for” or “in place of”. In this case, 1st Lt. L.W. Sundheim’s tour had ended.
  2. See also use of Vice below in regard to Captain H. Latson, Jr. who had also completed his tour.

September 25, 1944

Target: Frankfurt, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

September 26, 1944

Target: Osnabruck, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

September 27, 1944

Target: Cologne, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]

Captain Kearie L. Berry, Jr. assumes duties as Squadron Operations Officer, Vice Captain H. Latson, Jr.

Captain Berry formerly was Assistant Group Operations Officer.

Captain William F. Scott was transferred from the 603rd Squadron to 398th Group and assumes duties as Assistant Group Operations. He was formerly Assistant Squadron Operations Officer.

Captain Talma A. Scott, a comparatively new man in the outfit, assumes duties as an Assistant Squadron Operations Officer.

The following have completed their tour of duty:

  1. S/Sgt. K.L. Newbrough
  2. T/Sgt. J.D. Cooper
  3. T/Sgt. C.W. Robertson
  4. 1st Lt. R.I. Howden
  5. 1st Lt. C.J. Mellis
  6. 1st Lt. S.R. Quinn

September 28, 1944

Target: Magdeburg, Germany

The 603rd Squadron was stood down today.

Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr. former Squadron Commanding Officer and 1st Lt. Vonn Wernecke, former Squadron Navigator were re-assigned to the Squadron. As yet they have no active status.

September 29, 1944

Captain Carl J. Strickrott was transferred to the Squadron from Group Headquarters. He formerly was Group Bombardier and his duties now will be a Squadron lead bombardier.

September 30, 1944

Target: Munster, Germany

See attached loading list. [Not transcribed at this time.]