WORLD WAR II
Gunner S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew POW
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, and the Purple Heart
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas KIA
Target: Bingen Germany
Date Lost: 2-Dec-44
Serial Number: #42-95012
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:"U-Plus"
Aircraft Name:"TRIPS DAILY" 63rd Mission
Location: east of village of Merrheim
Cause: Fighters Crew of 9 3KIA 6POW
This day would go down in the 392nd's history as one of the roughest missions ever flown in terms of aircraft and aircrew casualties. It would be the highest attrition the Group would ever suffer through the remaining missions of World War II. It was also ironic that the evening of this date, the 200th mission party celebration for all Enlisted Men of the 392nd was planned. At 0515 and 0640 hours, (18) aircrews were briefed on the target and at 0930, all began their take-offs. Two squadrons were put up this day, flying high and low formations off of the 44th Bomb Group at Shipdham. The mission went orderly until the IP where heavy clouds were encountered for start of the bomb run.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Later survivor reports indicate aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters about (5) miles past the target, as the other 392nd bombers experienced. German Report #KU3469 cited this plane being downed about 3000 meters east of village of Merrheim, 12 kilometers from Kirn/Hunsrueck; that it was shot down by fighters and had a mid-air explosion before striking the ground. These reports initially indicated that (4) of the crew were captured near the above location and (3) others were found dead at the crash site, time about 1300 hours. Later these reports were supplemented to confirm (2) names of the deceased and all those crew members taken prisoner. The remains of Sgt. Callejas were never initially identified by the Germans being listed as "unknown" while Buaas and Worcester were positively named. Later on 10 January 1945, the Germans had come up with Sgt. Callejas' identity, and so reported this information.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: The Co-Pilot, Lt. Pedrotta, gave the following detailed account later on the crew's emergency, after his repatriation from POW status. "After ringing the bail out bell, I prepared to bail-out. (Pilot) Buaas called to me to release his seat that had jammed. I finally released the seat and made for the bomb bay. I called to Buaas while I was standing on the catwalk and said "lets get the hell out of here". He turned and said ‘lets go'. At this point I knew he had not been injured. He made his way out of the seat and on to the flight deck at the radio compartment. It was here that he collapsed face down. I reached back in an attempt to pull him out but I could not move him under the circumstances since the ship was completely out of control. So in order to get out at all, I had to do it right then. We were to the best of my knowledge about 4,500 or 5,000 feet then. Just seconds after I bailed out, I heard the ship explode but I couldn't tell whether it was still in the air or not. It is my opinion that he (Buaas) never had a chance to leave the ship. Not long before Buaas had complained to me of his heart. I suggested he see the Doctor, but he wouldn't. That is why I suspect he died of a heart attack (in-flight)". Another crew survivor's account regarding the tail gunner, Sgt. Callejas, stated that the latter was bleeding badly and was taken from the tail turret unconscious, having been hit in the chest with a 20mm cannon shell, and died prior to the bail out attempt. The Co-Pilot's detailed report of bail outs also stated that the Bombardier bailed out of the nose wheel door hatch at about 18,000 feet and had sustained no injuries; the Engineer exited out of hole blown in the waist section, around 18,000 feet about (25) miles from the target, as had the Bombardier that Sgt. Sopha had jumped through the bomb bay area earlier around 20,000 feet along with the Radio Operator, the latter suffering a slight leg injury on bail out; and Sgt. McGrew had bailed out from the waist section around 15,000 feet and incurred several bail out injuries and was hospitalized later. A last account by one of the surviving members, given back in the States after the war in 1945, Sgt. Sopha, stated that their plane had blown up while still in the air which information had been given to him by one of the waist gunners, Sgt. Coleman, who observed this event while descending in his parachute. Accounts indicated that this crew was on about their 16th combat mission.
BURIAL ACCOUNTS: German reports indicate that the (3) casualties were buried in the village cemetery of Merrheim on 4 December. Subsequent U.S. National Overseas Cemetery records indicate that Sgt. Worchester was re-interred in the plot at LORRAINE (Grave C-28-73), awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. No other information exists on the re-burials of the two remaining members.
The "TRIPS DAILY" crew
2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Charles H. Pedrotta Co Pilot POW
2nd/Lt. Thomas C. Guest Navigator POW
T/Sgt. Bernhardt E. Sopha Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Henry R. Todrowski Radio Op. POW
S/Sgt. Roy G. Coleman Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew Gunner POW
T/Sgt. Charles E. Worcester Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Francisco N. Callejas Gunner KIA
Gunner S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew POW
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, and the Purple Heart
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas KIA
Target: Bingen Germany
Date Lost: 2-Dec-44
Serial Number: #42-95012
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:"U-Plus"
Aircraft Name:"TRIPS DAILY" 63rd Mission
Location: east of village of Merrheim
Cause: Fighters Crew of 9 3KIA 6POW
This day would go down in the 392nd's history as one of the roughest missions ever flown in terms of aircraft and aircrew casualties. It would be the highest attrition the Group would ever suffer through the remaining missions of World War II. It was also ironic that the evening of this date, the 200th mission party celebration for all Enlisted Men of the 392nd was planned. At 0515 and 0640 hours, (18) aircrews were briefed on the target and at 0930, all began their take-offs. Two squadrons were put up this day, flying high and low formations off of the 44th Bomb Group at Shipdham. The mission went orderly until the IP where heavy clouds were encountered for start of the bomb run.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Later survivor reports indicate aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters about (5) miles past the target, as the other 392nd bombers experienced. German Report #KU3469 cited this plane being downed about 3000 meters east of village of Merrheim, 12 kilometers from Kirn/Hunsrueck; that it was shot down by fighters and had a mid-air explosion before striking the ground. These reports initially indicated that (4) of the crew were captured near the above location and (3) others were found dead at the crash site, time about 1300 hours. Later these reports were supplemented to confirm (2) names of the deceased and all those crew members taken prisoner. The remains of Sgt. Callejas were never initially identified by the Germans being listed as "unknown" while Buaas and Worcester were positively named. Later on 10 January 1945, the Germans had come up with Sgt. Callejas' identity, and so reported this information.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: The Co-Pilot, Lt. Pedrotta, gave the following detailed account later on the crew's emergency, after his repatriation from POW status. "After ringing the bail out bell, I prepared to bail-out. (Pilot) Buaas called to me to release his seat that had jammed. I finally released the seat and made for the bomb bay. I called to Buaas while I was standing on the catwalk and said "lets get the hell out of here". He turned and said ‘lets go'. At this point I knew he had not been injured. He made his way out of the seat and on to the flight deck at the radio compartment. It was here that he collapsed face down. I reached back in an attempt to pull him out but I could not move him under the circumstances since the ship was completely out of control. So in order to get out at all, I had to do it right then. We were to the best of my knowledge about 4,500 or 5,000 feet then. Just seconds after I bailed out, I heard the ship explode but I couldn't tell whether it was still in the air or not. It is my opinion that he (Buaas) never had a chance to leave the ship. Not long before Buaas had complained to me of his heart. I suggested he see the Doctor, but he wouldn't. That is why I suspect he died of a heart attack (in-flight)". Another crew survivor's account regarding the tail gunner, Sgt. Callejas, stated that the latter was bleeding badly and was taken from the tail turret unconscious, having been hit in the chest with a 20mm cannon shell, and died prior to the bail out attempt. The Co-Pilot's detailed report of bail outs also stated that the Bombardier bailed out of the nose wheel door hatch at about 18,000 feet and had sustained no injuries; the Engineer exited out of hole blown in the waist section, around 18,000 feet about (25) miles from the target, as had the Bombardier that Sgt. Sopha had jumped through the bomb bay area earlier around 20,000 feet along with the Radio Operator, the latter suffering a slight leg injury on bail out; and Sgt. McGrew had bailed out from the waist section around 15,000 feet and incurred several bail out injuries and was hospitalized later. A last account by one of the surviving members, given back in the States after the war in 1945, Sgt. Sopha, stated that their plane had blown up while still in the air which information had been given to him by one of the waist gunners, Sgt. Coleman, who observed this event while descending in his parachute. Accounts indicated that this crew was on about their 16th combat mission.
BURIAL ACCOUNTS: German reports indicate that the (3) casualties were buried in the village cemetery of Merrheim on 4 December. Subsequent U.S. National Overseas Cemetery records indicate that Sgt. Worchester was re-interred in the plot at LORRAINE (Grave C-28-73), awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. No other information exists on the re-burials of the two remaining members.
The "TRIPS DAILY" crew
2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Charles H. Pedrotta Co Pilot POW
2nd/Lt. Thomas C. Guest Navigator POW
T/Sgt. Bernhardt E. Sopha Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Henry R. Todrowski Radio Op. POW
S/Sgt. Roy G. Coleman Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew Gunner POW
T/Sgt. Charles E. Worcester Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Francisco N. Callejas Gunner KIA
WORLD WAR II
Gunner S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew POW
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, and the Purple Heart
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas KIA
Target: Bingen Germany
Date Lost: 2-Dec-44
Serial Number: #42-95012
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:"U-Plus"
Aircraft Name:"TRIPS DAILY" 63rd Mission
Location: east of village of Merrheim
Cause: Fighters Crew of 9 3KIA 6POW
This day would go down in the 392nd's history as one of the roughest missions ever flown in terms of aircraft and aircrew casualties. It would be the highest attrition the Group would ever suffer through the remaining missions of World War II. It was also ironic that the evening of this date, the 200th mission party celebration for all Enlisted Men of the 392nd was planned. At 0515 and 0640 hours, (18) aircrews were briefed on the target and at 0930, all began their take-offs. Two squadrons were put up this day, flying high and low formations off of the 44th Bomb Group at Shipdham. The mission went orderly until the IP where heavy clouds were encountered for start of the bomb run.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Later survivor reports indicate aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters about (5) miles past the target, as the other 392nd bombers experienced. German Report #KU3469 cited this plane being downed about 3000 meters east of village of Merrheim, 12 kilometers from Kirn/Hunsrueck; that it was shot down by fighters and had a mid-air explosion before striking the ground. These reports initially indicated that (4) of the crew were captured near the above location and (3) others were found dead at the crash site, time about 1300 hours. Later these reports were supplemented to confirm (2) names of the deceased and all those crew members taken prisoner. The remains of Sgt. Callejas were never initially identified by the Germans being listed as "unknown" while Buaas and Worcester were positively named. Later on 10 January 1945, the Germans had come up with Sgt. Callejas' identity, and so reported this information.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: The Co-Pilot, Lt. Pedrotta, gave the following detailed account later on the crew's emergency, after his repatriation from POW status. "After ringing the bail out bell, I prepared to bail-out. (Pilot) Buaas called to me to release his seat that had jammed. I finally released the seat and made for the bomb bay. I called to Buaas while I was standing on the catwalk and said "lets get the hell out of here". He turned and said ‘lets go'. At this point I knew he had not been injured. He made his way out of the seat and on to the flight deck at the radio compartment. It was here that he collapsed face down. I reached back in an attempt to pull him out but I could not move him under the circumstances since the ship was completely out of control. So in order to get out at all, I had to do it right then. We were to the best of my knowledge about 4,500 or 5,000 feet then. Just seconds after I bailed out, I heard the ship explode but I couldn't tell whether it was still in the air or not. It is my opinion that he (Buaas) never had a chance to leave the ship. Not long before Buaas had complained to me of his heart. I suggested he see the Doctor, but he wouldn't. That is why I suspect he died of a heart attack (in-flight)". Another crew survivor's account regarding the tail gunner, Sgt. Callejas, stated that the latter was bleeding badly and was taken from the tail turret unconscious, having been hit in the chest with a 20mm cannon shell, and died prior to the bail out attempt. The Co-Pilot's detailed report of bail outs also stated that the Bombardier bailed out of the nose wheel door hatch at about 18,000 feet and had sustained no injuries; the Engineer exited out of hole blown in the waist section, around 18,000 feet about (25) miles from the target, as had the Bombardier that Sgt. Sopha had jumped through the bomb bay area earlier around 20,000 feet along with the Radio Operator, the latter suffering a slight leg injury on bail out; and Sgt. McGrew had bailed out from the waist section around 15,000 feet and incurred several bail out injuries and was hospitalized later. A last account by one of the surviving members, given back in the States after the war in 1945, Sgt. Sopha, stated that their plane had blown up while still in the air which information had been given to him by one of the waist gunners, Sgt. Coleman, who observed this event while descending in his parachute. Accounts indicated that this crew was on about their 16th combat mission.
BURIAL ACCOUNTS: German reports indicate that the (3) casualties were buried in the village cemetery of Merrheim on 4 December. Subsequent U.S. National Overseas Cemetery records indicate that Sgt. Worchester was re-interred in the plot at LORRAINE (Grave C-28-73), awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. No other information exists on the re-burials of the two remaining members.
The "TRIPS DAILY" crew
2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Charles H. Pedrotta Co Pilot POW
2nd/Lt. Thomas C. Guest Navigator POW
T/Sgt. Bernhardt E. Sopha Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Henry R. Todrowski Radio Op. POW
S/Sgt. Roy G. Coleman Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew Gunner POW
T/Sgt. Charles E. Worcester Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Francisco N. Callejas Gunner KIA
Gunner S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew POW
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Squadron: 577th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service #
Awards: Air Medal, and the Purple Heart
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas KIA
Target: Bingen Germany
Date Lost: 2-Dec-44
Serial Number: #42-95012
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter:"U-Plus"
Aircraft Name:"TRIPS DAILY" 63rd Mission
Location: east of village of Merrheim
Cause: Fighters Crew of 9 3KIA 6POW
This day would go down in the 392nd's history as one of the roughest missions ever flown in terms of aircraft and aircrew casualties. It would be the highest attrition the Group would ever suffer through the remaining missions of World War II. It was also ironic that the evening of this date, the 200th mission party celebration for all Enlisted Men of the 392nd was planned. At 0515 and 0640 hours, (18) aircrews were briefed on the target and at 0930, all began their take-offs. Two squadrons were put up this day, flying high and low formations off of the 44th Bomb Group at Shipdham. The mission went orderly until the IP where heavy clouds were encountered for start of the bomb run.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Later survivor reports indicate aircraft was attacked by enemy fighters about (5) miles past the target, as the other 392nd bombers experienced. German Report #KU3469 cited this plane being downed about 3000 meters east of village of Merrheim, 12 kilometers from Kirn/Hunsrueck; that it was shot down by fighters and had a mid-air explosion before striking the ground. These reports initially indicated that (4) of the crew were captured near the above location and (3) others were found dead at the crash site, time about 1300 hours. Later these reports were supplemented to confirm (2) names of the deceased and all those crew members taken prisoner. The remains of Sgt. Callejas were never initially identified by the Germans being listed as "unknown" while Buaas and Worcester were positively named. Later on 10 January 1945, the Germans had come up with Sgt. Callejas' identity, and so reported this information.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: The Co-Pilot, Lt. Pedrotta, gave the following detailed account later on the crew's emergency, after his repatriation from POW status. "After ringing the bail out bell, I prepared to bail-out. (Pilot) Buaas called to me to release his seat that had jammed. I finally released the seat and made for the bomb bay. I called to Buaas while I was standing on the catwalk and said "lets get the hell out of here". He turned and said ‘lets go'. At this point I knew he had not been injured. He made his way out of the seat and on to the flight deck at the radio compartment. It was here that he collapsed face down. I reached back in an attempt to pull him out but I could not move him under the circumstances since the ship was completely out of control. So in order to get out at all, I had to do it right then. We were to the best of my knowledge about 4,500 or 5,000 feet then. Just seconds after I bailed out, I heard the ship explode but I couldn't tell whether it was still in the air or not. It is my opinion that he (Buaas) never had a chance to leave the ship. Not long before Buaas had complained to me of his heart. I suggested he see the Doctor, but he wouldn't. That is why I suspect he died of a heart attack (in-flight)". Another crew survivor's account regarding the tail gunner, Sgt. Callejas, stated that the latter was bleeding badly and was taken from the tail turret unconscious, having been hit in the chest with a 20mm cannon shell, and died prior to the bail out attempt. The Co-Pilot's detailed report of bail outs also stated that the Bombardier bailed out of the nose wheel door hatch at about 18,000 feet and had sustained no injuries; the Engineer exited out of hole blown in the waist section, around 18,000 feet about (25) miles from the target, as had the Bombardier that Sgt. Sopha had jumped through the bomb bay area earlier around 20,000 feet along with the Radio Operator, the latter suffering a slight leg injury on bail out; and Sgt. McGrew had bailed out from the waist section around 15,000 feet and incurred several bail out injuries and was hospitalized later. A last account by one of the surviving members, given back in the States after the war in 1945, Sgt. Sopha, stated that their plane had blown up while still in the air which information had been given to him by one of the waist gunners, Sgt. Coleman, who observed this event while descending in his parachute. Accounts indicated that this crew was on about their 16th combat mission.
BURIAL ACCOUNTS: German reports indicate that the (3) casualties were buried in the village cemetery of Merrheim on 4 December. Subsequent U.S. National Overseas Cemetery records indicate that Sgt. Worchester was re-interred in the plot at LORRAINE (Grave C-28-73), awarded an Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Purple Heart. No other information exists on the re-burials of the two remaining members.
The "TRIPS DAILY" crew
2nd/Lt. Walter C. Buaas Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Charles H. Pedrotta Co Pilot POW
2nd/Lt. Thomas C. Guest Navigator POW
T/Sgt. Bernhardt E. Sopha Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Henry R. Todrowski Radio Op. POW
S/Sgt. Roy G. Coleman Gunner POW
S/Sgt. Cecil C. Mcgrew Gunner POW
T/Sgt. Charles E. Worcester Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Francisco N. Callejas Gunner KIA
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