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

crew; #1909, Lt. Dietrich and crew; #1579, Lt. McConnell and
st
crew; #6293 (401 ) Lt. Basinger and crew; #7625, Lt. Basnight
st
and crew; #1336, Lt. Boggs and crew; #8144 (401 ) Lt. Riser and
st
crew; #7984 (401 ) Lt. Mullins and crew; #2490, Lt. Peck and
crew. There were no abortives. One ship and crew failed to
return.
Ship #7304 was badly damaged by flak. When last seen, it was
apparently under control and headed toward Switzerland. It is
believed it reached that country and that all members of the crew
had a reasonable chance of being saved. Members of the crew were:
Pilot, 1/Lt. Henry W. Supchak; Copilot, 1/Lt. John S. Karlac;
Navigator; 2/Lt. Nelson J. Fineman; Bombardier, 1/Lt. Wilson
Leahy; Engineer, T/Sgt. Anthony J. Skorpic; Waist Gunner S/Sgt.
Lewis F. Wetzel; Radio Operator T/Sgt. Luigi L. Lentini; Ball
Turret Gunner, S/Sgt. Guy W. LaRocco; Tail Gunner, S/Sgt. William
C. Shepherd. This was a well-trained Crew.
th
Planes Destroyed: On the 20 , the enemy sent up fighters in a
determined effort to break up our formation. Our gunners have the
following claims confirmed for destroyed; probably destroyed or
damaged enemy aircraft: S/Sgt. Howard D. Van Cleave, TG –
destroyed one FW-190. The following have probably destroyed one
each – FW-190’s; S/Sgt. Robert L. Newman, S/Sgt. Gaines C.
Luther; T/Sgt. Robert S. Quilty, 2/Lt. Eugene F. Cunningham; and
Sgt. Sam J. Cipolla, Also S/Sgt. Mabry D. Barker; S/Sgt. Guy W.
LaRocco; S/Sgt. Irwin Feldman; and Sgt. Charles D. Forcum, are
credited with having damaged either a FW-120 or and ME-109.
Approximately one hundred seventy five sorties were flown during
the month, and four airplanes were lost with their crews missing
in action.
Once each week all enlisted men of the squadron participated in
discussion groups for a period of one hour. The subject or rather
object of these meetings is to enable all personnel to become
better informed about current questions of the day both military
and civilian.
So ends another month of activity for the squadron in the E.T.O.
323rd Daily Reports, August 1944: By Capt. Laurence E. Baird:
1 August 1944: Bombers from this base attacked an Airfield at
Chartes, France. Squadron sent four: Ship #7913, Lt. Stunf and
crew, 7040, Lt. Kennedy and crew; #2116, Lt. Corman and crew; and
#7504, Lt. Hettema and crew. The latter aborted thirty minutes
after takeoff. No. 2 engine cut out in climb.
Bombing results prove that the mission was successful.