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

Kenneth Sutherland, Pilot; 2/Lt. Stanley L. Jordan, Co-pilot;
2/Lt. Frederick H. McBride, Navigator; 2/Lt. Leslie A. Price,
Bombardier; T/Sgt. Robert O. Kyle, Engineer; S/Sgt. Andrew E.
Tarabuk, Waist Gunner; T/Sgt. Malcolm M. McCurry, Radio Operator;
S/Sgt. Rathel C. Bennett, Tail Gunner; S/Sgt. Raymond Butler,
Ball Turret Operator; S/Sgt. Fred A. Tabor, Waist Gunner. Each
individual of this crew had at least eight combat missions to his
credit. They had done excellent work in training operations and
in combat. Ship #746 was last seen going down near Gutersloh,
Germany, Also. Apparently it had been badly damaged. The
following crew is carried as missing in action: 1/Lt. Frank R.
Kolts, Pilot; 2/Lt. Ehud Merkel, Co-pilot; 1/Lt. Charles R.
Alexander, Navigator; 2/Lt. Harold H. White, Bombardier; T/Sgt.
Matthew S. Kryjak, Engineer; S/Sgt. Abraham S. Homar, Waist
Gunner; T/Sgt. John P. Guros, Radio Operator; S/Sgt. Omer E.
Sharpe, Ball Turret Operator; S/Sgt. John V. Hill, Tail Gunner;
S/Sgt. Roy F. Grandquist, Waist Gunner. This was an excellent
crew. Records show that each individual had at least fourteen
combat missions to his credit.
Ship #965 was furiously attacked by enemy fighters coming toward
it from all angles, but the ones coming head-on gave our ships
the most trouble. Lt. Henry L. Bogucki, Bombardier, was fatally
wounded by a shot fired from one of the attacking planes.
Ship #774 was also subjected to the same type of attack. 2/Lt.
John L. Smith was fatally wounded and died within a short time
afterward. 1/Lt. Thomas J. Gannon, Bombardier, was slightly
wounded. Funeral services were held for the above-named officers
at Cambridge. A delegation of officers and enlisted men from this
squadron attended.
Ship #939 was severely damaged from repeated attacks of enemy
fighters. It was unable to stay in formation so, on its way back,
it had to return as best it could. Along the way it came at low
altitude, scarcely able to stay in the air. After leaving the
enemy coast, it headed out over the North Sea. Seeing that
chances of getting back were very doubtful, the pilot decided to
"ditch". By rare coolness and remarkable skill, this maneuver was
carried out without loss of life. They were in the water for
approximately four and one half hours when they were picked up by
Air Sea Rescue. The co-pilot suffered injuries and was
hospitalized. The remaining members of the crew returned to their
home base. The following named individuals composed the crew:
1/Lt. Roman V. Maziarz, Pilot; 2/Lt. Peter M. Delo, Co-pilot;
2/Lt. Mortimer Pudnos, Navigator, 2/Lt. Arthur D. Clay,
Bombardier; T/Sgt. Joseph T. Depoti, Engineer; S/Sgt. Urban A.
Jacoboski, Waist Gunner; T/Sgt. Joseph LaCascia, Radio Operator;