398th Guest Book
2002-2003 Entries
From: Robert J. Brown
E-Mail: kmcn2k@aol.com
Subject: WEB VISIT
Sirs,
I must thank you on behalf of my father, Sgt. Thomas McNally, 83 years young, formerly of C-Company, 63rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 11th Armored Division for the information on your web site relating to his best friend, Lt. Leonard W. Snyder, KIA March 14, 1945. All he has had to remember him by for fifty some odd years was a few photos of Lt.Snyder and my father, both in their respective uniforms, prior to their departure to the ETO.
I have been searching for quite a while, until today, for any shred of information on Lt. Snyder. I was very pleasantly surprised to find far more than I expected, including a crew photo taken nine days before Lt. Snyder was shot down.
If there is anyone in your association who may have further information on Lt. Len Snyder, I and my father would be thrilled to hear from them. I can be reached at kmcn2k@aol.com. Thank you all. Not only for your excellent website but also for your sacrifice for our country.
Sincerely, Kevin T. McNally
Date: Nov 13, 2003
From: Robert J. Brown
Subject: WEB VISIT
Very impressive Web site.
Robert J. Brown
Sergeant 1368
Eastern Logistics Stevenage
Hertfordshire Police
Date: Wed Oct 22, 2003
From: Don Morton
E-Mail: k1bkj@netzero.net
Subject: Great Site
I retired from USAF in October 1975 and was just 11 years old when WW II ended. However, those were and still are the most fascinating and romantic years to me in my lifetime. I still am glued to the TV whenever something about WW II is on the history channel. And, of course, the AAF and 8th AF were the best. I myself did spend some time in the 8th but they were flying B-52s by then. However, I have a brother-in-law who was a Sgt and a "Toggelier"? with the 602nd Squadron. Never heard of that term before and he just mentioned it to me yesterday. I always thought he was a bombardier. Believe I have found a picture of the 17 that he flew in most of the time. "K8-M" Would like to see some more pictures of the 602nd and perhaps his crew. His name is Bill Taylor. Pilot was Jack Witherstien. In talking with him yesterday, most of the crew has sadly passed on but he and another are still with us. I sure do agree with others that theirs is and was the best generation this world has seen. Great site and keep us the good work.
Don Morton
Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003
From: Howard Traeder
E-mail: howjan7@execpc.com
Subject: Web Site Wonders!
"Hats Off" to Wally, Lee Anne, Dave, Geoff, (and Les Dear), for all their efforts in digging out the information and now PRESERVING IT on our wonderful Web Site. It far exceeds my expectations of what a web site can do. It is a pleasure to contribute memories to it and I strongly encourage all "398th'ers" to do so.
Howard Traeder
Date: Wed Sep 24, 2003
From: John Charles Woodgate
E-mail: john.woodgate59@btopenworld.com
Subject: 24th sept 2003
Dear 398th,
I have been looking at your site trying to find some reference to 42-97380 flown by Lt. Lovelace on the 8th July 1944. This aircraft crashed in my village very close to our farmhouse on the very day of my parents wedding. Geoff Rice has given me all the details I needed to know but I was a little disappointed not to see any mention of it in the 'missing aircraft' folder. Why is this? Does it perhaps not qualify as a missing aircraft because it crashed in England?
I lived on our farm for 40 years and in that time visited the crash site many times. I amassed a vast collection of 'treasures' found mainly with a metal detector; at one time I horrified my mother when she discovered I had 103 live rounds of 'point fifty' calibre in a cardboard box under my bed! I've been in contact with Bob Hart, the co-pilot, who lives in Wilmington, Ohio, and he has been very kind to me.
I'm not really an aircraft enthusiast at all. That B-17g came to us all by itself flying on auto-pilot. My only interest in the 398th is of that plane. But I did grow up with it, so to speak, and can truthfully say I am a part-owner of a flying fortress, though the parts I own are actually quite small!!!!!!
Kind Regards
John Charles Woodgate
Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003
From: Arthur Cornwell
E-mail: arthur.cornwell@blueyonder.co.uk
Subject: An excellent and informative web site
I stayed at the Woodman Inn in Nuthampstead whilst attending the Duxford '100 years of flight' airshow. The main reason I was there was to see 'Sally B', the last remaining flying B-17 in the UK, so seeing the memorabilia on the walls of the pub was an added bonus for me.
I found the 398th memorial in the grounds of the pub a very moving tribute to the men who flew, and wanted to learn more about the Group's activities and achievements. This site has exceeded my wildest expectations to that end.
Many thanks for the site, as well as allowing veterans to share memories it gives us younger generations an insight into your courage and sacrifices.
Arthur Cornwell, Kent, England
Date: Tue Sep 9, 2003 3:47:45 AM
From: Michael Barnes
E-mail: barnesmd7@hotmail.com
Comments: Thanks to this wonderful site, I was able to give my Grandfather a beautiful gift. After searching through the "Unidentified Crew Photos," I found a photo of his crew that he didn't remember being taken. I could hardly believe it. Up to now, none of these men in this picture had been identified. I printed and sent this photo to him which made him very happy. I am forever thankful for your site enabling me to bring my Grandfather such joy. Please keep up the good work and God Bless.
Thu, 4 Sep 2003 00:04:39 -0400
From: JD Hill
E-mail: jdhill10@bellsouth.net
Comments: I like this site very much, I have found
some info about my father here.
Keep up the good work.
JD
Monday, June 30, 2003 at 12:11:58 (PDT)
From: Rufus D. (Bob) Gatton
E-mail: arizonabob@cox.net
Comments: Great job on the web site. Co-pilot on Orrin Tachio crew and later checked out as first pilot. My two most memorable missions were first first one to Leipzig and last one to Pilson, Cz.
Saturday, June 28, 2003 at 16:52:42 (PDT)
From: William C. McHenry
E-mail: mauimouse@charter.net
Comments: I was in the 398th Bomb Group 601st Squadron. Any one else still around?
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 15:52:47 (PDT)
From: Harry Holder
E-mail: PACKERFAN398@AOL.COM
Comments: Great site. Keep up the good work. Drop a line to this old ground pounder.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 14:04:03 (PDT)
From: Harry S. Overbaugh
E-mail: ctyson24@yahoo.com
Comments: I am in the 398th 602 bomb suadron. I was shot down on the 25th of April, 1945 over PILZEN, CZK. Bombier was William Stark. Paul Covile was the pilot. See you in Cincinnata at the reunion.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 12:34:42 (PDT)
From: Sam Devan
E-mail: sdevan@ptd.net
Comments: My father was a member of the 398th, 602nd Bomb Squad (Sam Devan)and I've been in contact with Lloyd Stovall (1997)and am trying to reach him. Can anyone provide contact information for Lloyd???
Regards,
Sam Devan
Wednesday, May 21, 2003 at 06:47:44 (PDT)
From: Douglas Ray Vicha
E-mail: pz38t@hotmail.com
Comments: any one out there from Hopkin's crew remember my dad? Raymond A.Vicha?
thx,
doug
Sunday, May 18, 2003 at 19:41:52 (PDT)
From: Jim Murphy
E-mail: jmurphy211@attbi.com
Comments: My father served in the 398th: Edward Henry Murphy
Deceased: 12/22/1973
Sunday, April 27, 2003 at 20:06:04 (PDT)
From: Debbie Ashour
E-mail: debbieashour-anderson@att.net
Comments: MY Father was a bombadier in the 600 air crew. listed as a gunner, his name is Martin Denis Ashour, or Denis Martin Ashour. Dean's crew. email me if you know my Father. thanks
Sunday, April 27, 2003 at 16:54:40 (PDT)
From: Percy Paget
E-mail: ppaget10@aol.com
Comments: I flew with Hancock, Comstock, and Jacobs (602)
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 at 18:22:47 (PDT)
From: Debra Scott
E-mail: debsue1955@yahoo.com
Comments: I took out some family history & was re-reading my information on my cousin, Charles Searl, who perished in his B-17 at Lude Farm. I was very pleased to find this site! Ironically, the Searls are originally from England, immigrating from Warwickshire in 1634.
So, it's nice to see they still remember him in Penn!
Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 17:00:15 (PDT)
From: Brandy Howard
E-mail: bhoward25@hotmail.com
Comments: My grandfather, Robert Howard, is a member of the 398th. He flew with the 603 and was a turret gunner. I had the wonderful opportunity last summer to travel to England with my grandparents and meet the amazing men (and some of the significant others). The trip was AMAZING!!!And the web site is great.
Granddaughter of Robert and Helen Howard
Wednesday, April 16, 2003 at 11:47:24 (PDT)
From: Lloyd A. Keating
E-mail: Lloyda@nci2000.net
Comments: Waist gunner in 602 Squad.
Tuesday, April 15, 2003 at 13:49:59 (PDT)
From: James Bissin
E-mail: jpbissin@hotmail.com
Comments: My dad is T/Sgt Albert Bissin, radio op on crew 54, 602nd squadron...he asked me to check out your website...it is excellent.
Monday, April 14, 2003 at 21:32:41 (PDT)
From: James S. Froelich
E-mail: jjefroe@hotmail.com
Comments: Ladies and Gentlemen,
Brilliant website!! This site is a tremendous resource and a great conduit for the 398th. My father flew 35 missions with Al Petska's crew (602nd) between Oct. 1944/April 1945. God bless the 398th, their families and all who sacrifice to protect this country and keep it free.
Jim Froelich
Saturday, April 12, 2003 at 06:36:13 (PDT)
From: Cindi Atwood
E-mail: tyichiba@aol.com
Comments: Hi Wally
It was so nice to speak to you the other day. I'm glad that my dad's diary was of interest and that my friend Tara found this web site. Please let me know what your plans are for my dad's diary I know you will do right by it. Please keep in touch.
thanks so much and my dad's name was Chilton Jorgenson
Cindi Atwood
Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 20:40:28 (PST)
From: Paul Victor Stoll
E-mail: p.stoll@mchsi.com
Comments: Great site. My uncle Victor Stoll was a pilot with 603 Flew in some of the missions in the diary listed. He lives in Decatur Ill. I sent him some of these pages.He has told me many stories while serving with the 398th
Sunday, March 30, 2003 at 13:13:41 (PST)
From: Sharon Krause
E-mail: Tink46@Comcast.net
Comments: I'm so glad to see the enthusiasum in everyones comments. And this site is just going to get better and better.
Saturday, March 15, 2003 at 06:48:11 (PST)
From: Paul Roderick
E-mail: xray1@gate.net
Comments: Good work-it brought back a lot of memories
Friday, March 14, 2003 at 13:00:31 (PST)
From: RICHARD NOBLE
E-mail: rnoble01@tampabay.rr.com
Comments: thank you from myself and my brothers
Thursday, March 06, 2003 at 13:57:25 (PST)
From: Gary W. Noble
E-mail: knoble@ameritech.net
Comments: KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK !!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 04, 2003 at 10:54:27 (PST)
From: John Ogilvie
E-mail: jo5inch7kel@aol,com
Comments: Just found your site and think it is excellent,especially Captain Arlin's piece on his Berlin Raid.I'll certainly look deeper into this site as I am an aircraft enthusiast "frae bonnie Scotland"
Monday, March 03, 2003 at 11:48:07 (PST)
From: David C. Fowler
E-mail: david.fowler@alcatel.com
Comments: Son of H. C. Fowler of the 603. I have his scarf and a list of his missions inside the covers of the 603 guidebook. I'm awfully proud of my daddy for doing what he did. I wish my generation had the kind of class exhibited by you all. God bless!
Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 16:05:58 (PST)
From: David C. Fowler
E-mail: david.fowler@alcatel.com
Comments: My dad flew with Novak's crew in the 603. I'm awful proud of my daddy and the fact he climbed into that B-17 fifty times to risk his life for his country. Thanks for creating the site.
Thursday, February 27, 2003 at 16:00:27 (PST)
From: Bill Lassegard
E-mail: wlassegard@socal.rr.com
I Rated Your Site: 8
Comments: My Brother LeRoy was an original pilot with the 603rd. He and his crew bailed out of their airplane when stationed in Rapid City. I visited him when they were stationed temporarily at Wendover Field Utah. These things are not mentioned any where that I can find.
Friday, February 14, 2003 at 19:09:26 (PST)
From: Mel Wolf Jr
E-mail: melwolf@earthlink.net
Comments: Son of Mel Wolf, Sr...bombardier on Crew 71. Checking the site out for him and his wife. I can now start quizzing him more about his war stories.
Saturday, February 08, 2003 at 15:08:11 (PST)
From: Tony Plowright
E-mail: sqwak.chick@btinternet.com
Comments: Superb web site, I like it very much.
384th BG researcher, Kettering, England.
Friday, January 31, 2003 at 16:19:53 (PST)
From: Paul Keenan
E-mail: Paulk@omniglobal.net
Comments: Looks great! Keep up the good work!
Friday, January 24, 2003 at 13:21:02 (PST)
From: Raymond J.Borys
E-mail: rayb@netnitco.net
Comments: You did a great job HAL on this site congratulatioins! With the advancement of the electronic age it realy make it easy for us old timers to search and seek out the old buddies and crew members we have served with in Nuthampstead England. I know this is the first site I will visit when I get onto the internet. This is by far a site more than I expected just to have the 398 B/G and and the B/S that I flew with in one click of a key. Great job!
Friday, January 24, 2003 at 04:37:56 (PST)
From: W G Fisher
E-mail: wgfisher@cox.net
Comments: A super job well done by all !
Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 19:42:53 (PST)
From: Harold D. (Hal) Weekley
E-mail: mrb17g@earthlink.net
Comments: I just got into it and it looks just wonderful. I know I will be spending a lot of time on it in the future. I really appreciate what you all have done for our group.THANKS HAL
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 12:24:04 (PST)
From: Brenda Sherrill & Merel Gill
E-mail: bbsherrill@cox.net
Comments: Very good site!
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 14:58:55 (PST)
From: Holloway, James L.
E-mail: oldblue00@msn.com
Comments: I think it would be much more personal if you had a spot here to list the veterans Squadron he was with.
Also a list of veterans who served at station 131, listed alphabetically. This last would take much work, but this would make me feel at least, that I was included in this wonderful history.
Friday, January 10, 2003 at 12:04:11 (PST)
From: Steve Carter
E-mail: steve@sclb17.freeserve.co.uk
Comments: Nice!!
A good comprehensive web site about a wonderful outfit.
As one of Sally B's engineers for 20 years now, I'm glad to have met so many of the groups veterans over the years, with a number of them unfortunately no longer with us.
I have on a number of the reunions, watched the veterans watch Sally B as she flies overhead and this means so much more to me than any other sort of flying activity that we do and feel honoured to be able to do this.
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 19:19:34 (PST)
From: Frank L. Ross, MD, FACS
E-mail: steelhealr@aol.com
Comments: Hi....great to see that the 398th still lives on. My father was Captain Robert S.Rosenberg and flew from 11/44-11/45 as a pilot in the 603rd. He left me a wonderful heritage of photos, his uniform, aerial photos and manuals, which, of course, will be passed down to his grandson. My most treasured keepsake is his throat mike, flight helmet and silk scarf. Sadly, he passed away in September 1995, yet, he left me with a wealth of old 'dad, could you please tell me a war story' tales. I keep in touch with one of his co-pilots who is still plugging away at life. For those who can help me confirm it, I believe he is the last person, standing in the back row on the right in the 'unidentified Douglas crew' on the unknown list here. To any or all of you who flew with my dad....or paved the way to freedom up there in the cold in any of those 17's, thanks for making the world safe for my son Justin and the one that is on the way. Off we go......Frank Ross, MD, proud son of a B-17 Pilot.
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 13:30:11 (PST)
From: Ethan Ganz
E-mail: ethan_ganz@hotmail.com
Comments: I think it's great to see a site about the bomb group my grandfather (Bill Ganz) always talks about. I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures of him and the people he has spoken about. Great site!
Thursday, January 02, 2003 at 10:37:47 (PST)
From: George E. Schatz
E-mail: georgeschatz3@attbi.com
Comments: Just want to express my appreciation for the fine job you ALL contributed to keep our 398th vibrantly ALIVE! Thanks, g.e.s.
Thursday, January 02, 2003 at 08:38:25 (PST)
From: Joseph Black
E-mail: jblackd55@cs.com
Comments: Welcome to the web.Your site is a pleasure to surf.It is a great new source of info of the Mighty Eighth. I am an old fighter jockey of the 8th.
Joe Black
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 19:01:04 (PST)
From: John C. Veenschoten
E-mail: dutchthrice@aol.com
Comments: Geat idea while there is still time left. Ill be back and I hope to participate
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 14:14:10 (PST)
From: George M. Hilliard
E-mail: george.hilliard@fuse.net
Comments: I am very pleased with your efforts in bringing this site to the net. The original site was mostly to fish for lost members. This site, I am sure, will keep history from being lost. Congratulations and keep up the great work.
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 14:06:56 (PST)
From: Sharon Krause
E-mail: Tink46@Comcast.net
Comments: STUPENDOUS job....very impressive, very well organized and "easy" to navigate. Great job by Dave Jordan, Lee Anne Bradley and our UK buddy Geoff Rice. Thank you!!
Wednesday, January 01, 2003 at 12:07:32 (PST)
From: Wilfrid Dimsdale
E-mail: wtdim@aol.com
Comments: Very well designed site, all the structure there on which to keep building. Keep 'em flying.
Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 22:15:44 (PST)