603rd Squadron History
May 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.
Air Force
1st Bombardment Division
1st Combat Bombardment Wing (H)
398th Bombardment Group (H)
_________
Period Covered from May 1, 1944 to May 31, 1944
Prepared by
David M. Hall, 1st Lt., A.C.
Squadron History
603rd Bombardment Squadron (H)
May 6, 1944
The 603rd Squadron flew the first mission to Sottevast, France.
Major Judson F. Gray, Commanding Officer, Captain Meyer C. Wagner, Captain Unite L. Brodin and Lt. Robert L. Hopkins, Flight Commanders participated.
All ships from the entire 398th Group returned.
List of Crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
The following men were promoted from Flight Officer to 2nd Lieutenant:
- Clifford Z. Bryan
- Donald E. Rush
- Arthur Silverman
- Carl O. Turner
- William J. Vanderlick
- Theodore N. West
- Raymond A. Winkler
Four other officers were notified of their promotions which were dated in April:
- Wilbur G. Fisher to 1st Lieutenant effective April 13
- Unite L. Brodin to Captain effective April 13
- Kirkland C. Krueger to Captain effective April 13
- Arthur Kenny to Captain effective April 19
May 8, 1944
Lt. Robert L. Hopkins (and crew) and Captain Meyer C. Wagner, Jr. flew on the 398th Groups second mission to Berlin, Germany.
Editor’s Note
- Lt. Hopkins was a spare and returned to base.
- Captain Wagner flew as CA with D.E. Ross of 602nd Squadron as Deputy Lead.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 9, 1944
Captain Unite L. Brodin and Lt. R.L. Hopkins flew on this mission to St. Dizier, France.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 11, 1944
Target: Sarreguemines
Captain K. Krueger, J.G. Davidson, R.L. Hopkins, S.P. Cullinan, W.J. Durtschi, T. Foster, and LS. Lassegard and crews went on mission to Sarreguemines, France.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 12, 1944
Captain Unite L. Brodin, Lt. T.K. Foster, Lt. D.L. Foster, Lt. W.S. Dwyer, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr., Lt. Fisher, Lt. L.S. Lassegard participated in a mission to Lutzkendorf and Leuna, Germany
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 13, 1944
Captain Unite L. Brodin, Captain K.C. Krueger, Lt. S.P. Cullinan, Lt. J.C. Novak, Lt. W.F. Scott, and Lt. W. Durtschi (and crews) flew a mission to Sralsund, Germany.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 19, 1944
Major Judson F. Gray led one of two groups of Flying Fortresses to Berlin. He flew with Captain J.G. Davidson and his crew. Others going along on the mission include: Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr. who went with Captain K.C. Krueger and his crew, Lt. R.L. Hopkins, Lt. W.S. Dwyer, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr., Lt. W.E. Engle, Lt. V.K. Stoll, Lt. W.G. Fisher, Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold, Lt. S.P. Cullinan, Lt. T.K. Foster (and crews).
Editor’s Notes
- Major Gray was the Low Group Lead.
- Captain G.F. Davidson, Squadron Lead Navigator was with Major Gray.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 21, 1944
In the early hours of the morning, approximately 03:45 an unidentified German plane strafed our infield and hit a bomber – 053 belonging to the Squadron. The damage was slight and no one was hurt.
Note: The full numbering for this aircraft is: 42-107053 N7-M
May 22, 1944
The target for today was Kiel, Germany.
The following crews lead the Group in the mission: Captain Unite L. Brodin, Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr. who flew with Captain K.C. Krueger and his crew, Lt. W.J. Durtschi, Lt. W.S. Dwyer, Lt. D.L. Foster, Lt. V.K. Stoll, Lt. W.E. Engle, Lt. W.F. Scott, Lt. T.K. Foster, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr.
Editor’s Note
- Major R.K. Simeral lead the Group and flew with Captain Brodin.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 23, 1944
Lt. Anthony J. Jellen was the first officer of the Squadron to complete six missions over enemy territory. He is now eligible for the Air Medal. Lt. Jellen is the Navigator on the R.L. Hopkins crew.
Target: Woippy, France. Crews: Lt. R.L. Hopkins, Lt. W.E. Engel, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr., Lt. W.S. Dwyer, Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold, Lt. J.C. Novak, Lt. T.K. Foster.
May 24, 1944
Major J.F. Gray with Captain Brodin and his crew led the Group to Berlin, Germany. Others in the same raid include: Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr. who flew with Lt. V.K. Stoll and his crew, Captain J.G. Davidson, Lt. L. Lassegard, Lt. W.J. Durtschi, Lt. W.F Scott, Lt. J.C. Novak, Lt. D. Foster, Lt. W.E. Engel, Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold, Lt. H.H Latson, Jr.
Major Gray and Captain Brodin (and crew) hit by flak in the target area and were last reported spiraling to earth. When Major Gray’s ship (No. 231-A) went down just before reaching the actual target, Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr. - flying lead ship of the second element - took over the lead position immediately and very capably took over duties of the lead ship, dropped the bombs on the target and led the formation home.
Each and every member of the 603rd Squadron deeply respected and admired Major Gray and all those men who were lost with him. Major Gray had proven himself a fine Commanding Officer.
Those members missing in action over the target are:
| Name | Home Town | Position | |
| 1 | Major Judson Gray | Franklin North Carolina | [CA on this mission, probably in Co-Pilot seat. Major Gray was the Squadron Commanding Officer] |
| 2 | Captain Unite L. Brodin, | Clitherall, Minnesota | [Pilot] |
| 3 | Captain Gordon F. Davidson | Sheridan, Missouri | [Squadron] Navigator |
| 4 | Lt. Louis C. Haberman | 1115 Main Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin | Navigator |
| 5 | Lt. Paul W. Voehringer | Ballston Spa, New York | Bombardier |
| 6 | Lt. Jerome T. Jans | 2149 Wesley Avenue, Evanston, Illinois | Co-pilot who rode the Tail Gun position |
| 7 | Technical Sergeant Leroy Elton | Goodlett, Texas | Top Turret Gunner [Engineer] |
| 8 | Technical Sergeant Bernard Rochford | 14 Florida St., Akron, Ohio | Radio Operator |
| 9 | Staff Sergeant Peter D. Carrado | Clapboard Hill, Guilford, Connecticut | Ball Turret |
| 10 | Staff Sergeant Simon P. Stizzo | 322 Fig Street, Roseville, California | Right Waist Gunner |
| 11 | Technical Sergeant Marlin Woodward | 802 Avenue D, Lubbock, Texas, | Engineer and Left Waist Gunner |
Editor’s Notes
- Lt. Jerome T. Jans, T/Sgt. Leroy Elton, and T/Sgt. Bernard Rochford became Prisoners of War. The other 8 men were killed in action.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 25, 1944
Target: Nancy France
Crews were: Lt. R.L. Hopkins, Lt. W.F. Scott, Lt. W.G. Fisher, Lt. W.S. Dwyer, Lt. V.K. Stoll, and Lt. J.C. Novak.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 26, 1944
Colonel Frank P. Hunter, Jr., Group Commanding Officer, called a meeting for all Squadron personnel to notify us that Major Robert K. Simeral is the new Commanding Officer, replacing Major Judson F. Gray. Major Simeral to this date has been Group Operations Officer. The news of our new C.O. was favorable to all.
Lt. Vonnerlin Wernecke was made Squadron Navigator replacing Captain Gordon F. Davidson. Lt. Wernecke formerly was the Navigator with the Lt. L.S. Lassegard crew.
Editor’s Notes
- Major Judson F. Gray, 603rd Squadron Commanding Officer and Captain Gordon F. Davidson, 603rd Squadron Navigator were killed in action on the May 24, 1944 mission to Berlin. Though at the time, they were probably only known to be missing in action.
May 27, 1944
The target for today: Ludwigshafen, Germany.
The crews who flew were Captain J.G. Davidson, Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold, Lt. L. Lassegard, Lt. S. Cullinan, Captain K. Krueger, Lt. W.G. Fisher, and Lt. V. Stoll.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 28, 1944
Target: Ruhland, Germany.
The crews who went on this mission were: Captain M.C. Wagner, Jr., who flew with Lt. S.P. Cullinan and his crew, Major Robert K. Simeral who flew with Lt. R.L. Hopkins and his crew, Lt. W.G. Fisher, Lt. W.J. Durtschi, Lt. W.F. Scott, Lt. W.S. Dwyer, and Lt. T.K. Foster.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 29, 1944
Target: Posen, Poland
The following crews made this long mission which necessitated many hours on oxygen: Captain J.G. Davidson, Lt. S.P. Cullinan, Lt. J.C. Novak, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr., Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold, and Lt. W.E. Engel.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 30, 1944
The crews penetrated Germany again today, the target being Dessau. Although today is Memorial Day, there is still no let-up of dropping bombs on the Nazis.
The Squadron sent nine crews: Captain K.C. Krueger, Lt. W.G. Fisher, Lt. T.K. Foster, Lt. D.L. Foster, Lt. V.K. Stoll, Lt. H.H. Latson, Jr., Lt. F.C. Fahrenhold, Lt. W.J. Durtschi, Lt. W.E. Engel.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]
May 31, 1944
The squadron finished up the month by bombing Mulhouse, France, or thereabouts. Our crews in the mission included: Major R.K. Simeral who led the formation with Captain K.C. Krueger and his crew, Lt. J.C. Novak, Lt. L. Lassegard, Lt. T.K. Foster, Captain J.G. Davidson, Lt. D.L. Foster, and Lt. F.C. Fahrenthold.
List of crews. [Not transcribed at this time.]