398th Guest Book
2004 Entries
Date: January 6, 2005
From: Michael Keck
E-Mail: msubones@aol.com
Subject: Edward Steele
My grandfather was Edward Steele, a waist gunner in the 601st. He was shot down over Neumunster on April 13, 1945. I wanted to know if anyone was with him while he was in prison camp. I have the flag from the camp, along with the Luger and Walther PP carried by the Commadant of the camp. I also have hundreds of pictures from that time. I am preparing to put them on disc to send to the site. I would love to hear from anyone who served with him. Please contact me and relay any stories you may have.
Michael Keck
Battle Creek, MI
Date: November 25, 2004
From: Harry Holder
E-Mail: PACKERFAN398@aol.com
Subject: 398 th listing of Military personnel
Hi,
There was a comprehensive listing of Military poeple assigned to the 398th bomb group during the war. Has that been deleted? Will it ever be introduced again? Kind o miss it. Like an old friend. Harry Holder
Date: November 19, 2004
From: Karl Lusink
E-Mail: karl.lusink@zonnet.nl
Subject: Mission March 18, 1945
Hello,
If have just one question!
Is there information about a 398 BG B-17G which was lost on the mission to Berlin on March 18, 1945.
There is no MACR for this A/C so I presume it has landed in Russian occupied territory (Poland) ?
Who can help me out ??
Karl Lusink
Drempt, The Netherlands
Aircraft Research Group Achterhoek
karl.lusink@zonnet.nl
Date: November 6, 2004
From: Beth Gaines
E-Mail: precisionlawncare@hotmail.com
Subject: George Spraggins 398th 603rd POW
My grandfather was George V. Spraggins of the 398th, 603rd squadron. He was shot down over Merseburg, Germany on Nov. 21, 1944. He was then a POW (I believe at Stalag Luft 1). If anyone has any information for me of my grandfather, or any other members of his crew, please email or call me. Thank you!
Beth Gaines
Date: November 2, 2004
From: James Holloway
E-Mail: oldblueb17@sbcglobal.net
Subject: Two friends who were gunners, B17's, *8th USAAF
I would like to find out what Bomb Group each of my friends, Harold Reid and Bill Marsh were in. Bill was shot down over Berlin and killed. Harold lived for a while at Milton-Free water, Oregon after he was discharged. Bill was from Paul, Idaho. Where should I search?
James L. Holloway
Date: October 24, 2004
From: Robert N. Cronk Sr.
E-Mail: robertn.cronk@verizon.net
Subject: Forgotten Ground Personnel
Greetings to all former members of the 398th Bombardment Group, of which I am proud to be included. My name is Robert N. Cronk and I was part of the ground personnel at Nuthampstead. Assigned to Group Headquarters, I was the senior N.C.O. in the Group Engineering and Armament office under Major Lyle Corcoran.
It seems to me that almost every article written about the activities of the 398th B.G. concern the flying crews, their names, and their duties and experiences. This is probably as it should be, to honor those members who took the risks, and who lost their lives, their freedom (POW), or in too many cases, the partial use of their bodies through injury due to enemy action. For this, we are all grateful.
As a result, however, practically nothing has been written about the people on the ground who also participated in the war effort. Those officers and enlisted men of the 398th B.G. also were part of the team. The cooks, aircraft maintenance teams, clerks, bomb loaders, medics, mechanics (both aircraft and auto), and the multitude of other jobs required to carry on a war. These men outnumbered the flying crews by quite a margin, and their services were crucial not only to the successful flying operations, but to the very survival of the 398th, and to the war effort itself.
I would like to see more articles commending the forgotten ground personnel of the 398th B.G., articles that describe the personal lives and duties of those men, and how those efforts contributed to the overall picture, and also their lives as they lead them today.
The number of surviving veterans of the 398th Bombardment Group, and indeed, of World War 2 itself, is being decreased each day. And because of the advancing ages of those veterans, the number is decreasing more rapidly now than ever before. If any comments about these men are to be written, I suggest it be sooner than later.
I hope you agree with the above, and add your comments via this outlet.
Robert N. Cronk
398th President Comments: The 398th web site has been so successful because we have had so many 398th members and others contribute to it. The web site is only what people have given us and what we have found to put into it. The Association has tried to diligently include experiences from ground personnel, but with limited success. We are always eager to obtain 398th historical data and 398th personnel experiences. I ask anyone interested in improving its content to contribute 398th related material for consideration to it. Let's hear from you!!
Wally Blackwell
President
398th Bomb Group Memorial Association
Webmaster Comments: The 398th Veteran's WWII Personal Histories section is available for submission of articles about all 398th personnel and we welcome articles from 398th veterans or others about them. Thanks Robert Cronk for your Guest Book submission.
While membership is not required to submit a Veteran Personal History article, we would like to take this opportunity to provide Prospective Member Information to viewers that may have an interest.
Date: October 15, 2004
From: Kenny Carlson
E-Mail: 51clyde@centurytel.net
Subject: John P. Walker
My wifes mother's brother was John P. Walker who flew with the 398th. He was a Navigator on a B-17 flown by Lt. Lyle Doerr. They were lost 12-30-44. If any one knew John and could tell me anything about him I would appreciate it.
Thank-you for the website and for what those men did for our country.
From: E. Tkacik Sr.
E-Mail: emtka@sunlink.net
Subject: Greetings from the 44th BGVA
Hello fellow members of the 398th Eighth Air Force First Div. We are of the 44th BG 2nd Div out of Shipdham England flying the B24's. We were your competition in leveling the paper hangers back yard. I as a nose gunner, was fortunate enough to survive 23 missions before it all ended. I for the first time met one of your hero's widows, Ruthanna Doerstler at the Indiantown Gap Veteran's Memorial Cemetery on the 4th of July 2004. That was the first that I learned of your 398 Veterans group. At the rate that we WW2 veterans are vanishing it won't be too long before we will fade away as once was said, "Old soldiers don't die they just fade away. "
Best wishes to you all.
S/Sgt. Edward Tkacik
WW2 combat veteran
Cressona, Pa
Date: Jul 6, 2004
From: robert jay miller
E-Mail: fuzzmiller@ev1.net
Subject: One last look tour
On june 8th I meet up with 5 of the 398th on the ferry from France back to Portsmouth. It was a great end to my trip over for D-DAY, I did not expect to meet any members of the 8th air force on this trip. I had a most enjoyable 45 minutes or so chatting with them. They told me of a member Oscar j. smith that is interned at the veterans cem. here in Houston, I told them I would place flowers & say a prayer for him. I checked on the web site for him at the Houston cem. and was unable to locate him if if any one as some more info. please let me know so I may complete this task, I offered to do.
I have studied the bomber war in Europe for the last 4 years and have meet several vets of the 8th and would like to meet more of them.
Last summer I went over to the U.K. and visited 13 memorials & what is left of the bases in Northamptonshire, only have 90 more to go the literature I brought back I took to the LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM in Galveston Texas.
One of my quest in life is to go up in a B-17 as to me they were the last of the real aircraft. When the B-29 came out with a pressurized cabin the hole way the air war was fought changed. If their are members here in the Houston Texas area and they are willing to meet I would be very honoured to do so to tell them thank you for what all of ya'll did for us and to here a few stories. Thanks Fuzzz Miller
Date: Jun 14, 2004
From: Kenneth "Bert" Knight
E-Mail: kbknight@nps.k12.va.us
Subject: Tomahawk Warrior
The article B-17 "Tomahawk Warrior" - A Tribute to Charles J. Searl & Crew by Ronald M. Setter just about knocked me out of my chair. My uncle was Albert W. Knight, the right waist gunner on that fateful day in August of 1944. My research is not yet complete however, I have acquired additional information and a picture of the 10 man crew in front their plane. If interested, it would be both an honor and a pleasure to share my research and pictures with your association.
On a personal note, Albert's older brother, Orville Kenneth Knight, was serving as an Army ordnance officer preparing for the invasion of Okinawa in the PTO and at the conclusion of the war after a serious one-on-one with my Mother agreed to name me after both my father and his brother. Al"bert" won out over Orville.
Respectfully,
Kenneth "Bert" Knight
Date: Jun 8, 2004
From: Pamela Sharpe
E-Mail: polgen@cts.com
Subject: Charles Searl "Tomahawk Warrior"
Charles Searl was my third cousin. I sent a link to this site to his sister Charlotte several months before she passed away. Charlotte went to Penn, Bucks, England for the service they have each year to honor Lt. Charles Searl and his crew. She was so touched. I have spent over 30 years researching the Searl family history. Charles's third great grandfather, Reuben Searl fought in the Revolutionary War and his father, Niles Searl was in the marines in World War I in France.
I appreciate this site on Charles and his crew.
Pamela Sharpe
Date: Mar 21, 2004
From: Denis Sharp
E-Mail: denis.sharp@ntlworld.com
Subject: Charles Khourie 603rd Squadron
Does anyone have a photo containing Charles Khourie who's nickname I believe was "Dusty" , he was the acting Co-pilot on the aircraft that crashed into the moat at Anstey Church in October 1944. A scanned copy sent as attachment to the above email address would be ideal if possible.
Many thanks.
Denis Sharp
Date: Mar 17, 2004
From: Marty Dee
E-Mail: martydee@mchsi.com
Subject: 398th Historical Information
Hi .....
Great site. I have been looking for a site like this for years, it seems!
My brother was a B-17 co-pilot assigned to the 398th. His name is, Robert H Dee, Jr.
Bob wrote a diary and has a few pictures (his crash in France) of his 35 missions over Germany ... they are quite interesting and personal.
You can find them at: http://www.martydee.com/bobdeejr.htm
Hope you enjoy .....
Best Regards ..............
Marty Dee
Date: Mar 4, 2004
From: Sam Halpert
E-Mail: b17sam@hotmail.com
Subject: Your web site
You are to be congratulated on a super site. I put in 35 missions with the 91st Bomb Group and was always glad to see the 398th up there with us. You might want to check my site at www.b17sam.com. I am seeking information about a pilot named Robert H. Dee, 601st Squadron of your group. Thanks for your effort in posting such a superb website.
Sam Halpert.
Date: Mar 4, 2004
From: Arden Blakebrough
E-Mail: ardenken@juno.com
Subject: Your web site
Great site, congratulations! Ken Blakebrough, 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force.
Date: Feb 13, 2004
From: James Norris
E-Mail: jnorris99@hotmail.com
Subject: Fantastic site, good luck with '04 England trip
My name is James Norris. I heard about your site today from my girlfriend. Her grandfather's cousin was in the 398th, so I decided to check out your site. My grandfather flew with the 91st. He was stationed in Bassingbourn from August 1944-April 1945 and flew the majority of his missions as a gunner on Times-a-Waistin' with Ed Garner at the controls.
I went on a reunion trip to England with the 91st in May, 2003 and would urge anyone reading this to join the 398th on their upcoming trip. The Bassingbourn reunion was one of the most moving experiences of my life. My family became involved with the 91st in April 1998 after my grandfather (paternal) died. My father had become close friends with some of my grandfathers crew members, and by talking to Paul Chryst (bombardier) found out about a 1999 trip to England that they had in the works. Well, upon his returning and hearing the stories, I wanted to take such a trip. Then he mentioned the groups November, 2000 reunion in Galveston, TX. I told my dad that there was no way that we weren't going. He agreed. I remember every second of that trip as if it were yesterday.
While in England, we visited Madingly, Cambridge (Eagle Pub), Duxford and Bassingbourn along with many other sites. Bassingbourn is an active army training base today.
I have been privileged in that my dad and I have met 6 of the 10 original crew from my grandfathers plane, as well as their ground crew chief. I wanted to say what an honor it is to meet men such as yourselves. I wish you the best of luck on all of your future endeavors. It is nice to see sites such as this keeping the memories and stories alive.
If anyone reading this would like to contact me, please do not hesitate.
James Norris
Date: Feb 12, 2004
From: Dennis Hager
E-Mail: dmhager@bellsouth.net
Subject: Remembering a Memorial Chairperson
This is a great site! I only wish my father had lived long enough to use and visit it. He flew with the 603rd and was shot down Nov. 21, 1944 over Merseburg, Germany. He told me stories about some of the missions and the good friends he made and left out unpleasant details about the war. It is only later that you realize the huge sacrifices that these young Americans made for our freedom. The war, in my opinion would have continued for many years and many more would have perished if it were not for the B-17.
My father was the memorial chairperson of the 398th at one time until his death. I know he would be proud to know that memorial stands today at Nuthampstead. If anyone knows how I could get in touch with O. Osborn over in England please let me know.
Way to Go 398!
Dennis Hager
Date: Jan 11, 2004