Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!

T. Clarity, Ball Turret Operator; S/Sgt. Willard P. Chandler,
Tail Gunner and S/Sgt. Paul W. King, Waist Gunner. This was an
experienced crew, each individual having at least fourteen
missions to his credit.
Ship #040 was last seen near Achner, Germany. The following
personnel are carried as missing in action: 2/Lt. Spencer K.
Osterburg, Pilot; 2/Lt. Van John E. Beran, Co-pilot; 2/Lt. Morris
J. Joy, Jr., Navigator; 1/Lt. George J. Zebrowski, Bombardier;
T/Sgt. Lambert R. Brestrom, Engineer; S/Sgt. Alexander W.
Siatowski, Waist Gunner; T/Sgt. Harold L. Klem, Radio Operator;
S/Sgt. Samuel P. Aldridge, Ball Turret Operator; S/Sgt. Jay J.
Milewski, Tail Gunner; and S/Sgt. Clayton E. Morningstar, Waist
Gunner. This was one of the newer crews in the squadron, but each
individual is credited with not less than three missions before
this one.
Added comments below:
Capt. Warrington B. Dalton, Jr., Pilot, completed his twentyfifth
mission on this date. So did a waist gunner on his crew,
S/Sgt. William L. Hoots. Both individuals will be remembered in
this squadron for their good personalities and devotion to duty
on the ground as well as in the air. They participated in some of
the roughest of our missions and always came back in good
spirits. Upon their completion of twenty-five missions, they were
transferred to a new assignment, perhaps in the zone of the
interior.
The question of name came up several years ago. It happened that
I was flying as Pilot in command on the left wing of a three-ship
spare element on a mission 21 Feb 44 to Gutersloh, Germany. This
was my first mission in the left seat. I had been flying co-pilot
for Dave Bramble as a regular assignment. Dave was now 323rd Sq.
Operations Officer. This was also my 21st combat mission. Major
Berry personally checked me out in the left seat.
I didn't have a regular crew. With only five missions to go to
complete my tour the decision was to let me fly as PIC with other
crews as required. (I actually had six missions to go as the
length of the "tour" was increased about this time from 25
missions to 30. I and to do one extra mission above the regular
25-mission tour.)
En route to the target (Gutersloh) and flying over the English
Channel, our element leader was lagging well behind the main body
of the Group formation. I believe he held this position so he
could see any aircraft abort and one of us could fill the vacant
position. I don't recall any instructions on what we should do if
there were no "aborts."