MACR 6954: 42-102862

C
5. Engineer
Fus
Keeling, Travis G. T/Sct 18179174 Irs. Katio Jane Keeling,
mothor, Route 1,
Averu, Toxas.
6. Asst Engineer pow Rettler, Jack: A. s/s t 327844,82 lorris Kettler, father
1815 Nonroc Ave. RTO
Droms, New York
7. Radio Operator M/A Ricciardo, Joseph A. I/Sgt 35622653 lrs. Anna Ricciardo,
mother, 197 So. 6th'St.,
Newarid Ohio.
8. Asst Radio Oper. M/Airarney, Alton S. S/Sgt. 36580919 its. S. Barney, 2993
ontolair St., Detroit,
lichigan. - mother.
9. Armorer Gunnel powsmith, William T.
s/sct 31.721.086 Mary Katherine Smith BID
wife, Concord, Tennessee.
10. Asst Armorer Gunn M/rate, James L.
S/Sgt 16055995 lrs. Walter Pate, Route 3,
Jacksonville, Il¹.
(mother)
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS A.E TO HAVE LAST OF AIR-
CRAFT AID CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLULN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted Last
Saw
NALE IN FULL
RANK SERIAL TO. by Radio Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. Frederick 1. Orringer 2nd it 0702956
2. Robert K. Ashdown
I/Sar
3271,6278
X
3. Willerd S. Sperry
It Col.
0396325
X
12. Ii PERSOMITI TO SURVIVID, CHEUN OME OF TIE FOLLOWING
(X) Parachutes were used ( Tersons seen walling away from scene of crash
( ) Any other reason (spécify) One chute was seen to come from the ship.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSOND THIS BITHER ADDITIONAL MOTOGRAPH, FAP,
OR SKETCH, SHGATING APPROXII ATE LOCATION ADRORAFT VAS LAST SEEN Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYMWITIESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASTI,
PORCED LANDANG, On OThER CINCULISTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT.
Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN UNCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF the EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF AILY AUD GIVE NAIE, RANK, AND SERTAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crew LITA
in enemy occupied territory.
** Surrounding circumstances are not reasonably conclusive of KIA casualty status.
Date of this Report: 18 July 1944.
Milthin
Major, Air Corps,
Operations Officer.
3 Inc. S :
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 - Statenent of It Col Sperry
Incl 3 - Statement of Orringer & T/Sgt. Ashdown
now
if
cast
58
- 2 -

9
ME
OPERATIONS
817th Bombar ment Group
hoord Bomb Group
APO 520
18 July, 194h.
When I saw Lit. taclin ship it was hit and Number two (2)
on ;ine was on fire. Tt seemed as if his whole shin was ablaze
and there was an under fire from his Number two (2) engine.
There was one (1) chute observed. His ship dropped back and
seemed to loose altitude. He was flying Number six (6). His
ship Numbor was 862- Crew No. 704.
Frederickly Omager
FREDERICK ORRINGER, 0-702956
2nd Lt. Air Corps, Navigator,
817th Bombardment Squadron.
Carbent R. Orhdown
Robert K. Ashdown, 32716278
T/S-t. Air Corps, Radio Openator, ENGINEER
81%th Bombardment Squadron.
54

HEADQUARTERS
FOUR EIGHTY THIRD BOLBARDMENT GROUP (H)
APO 520
Statement of Witness
On 18 July 1944 the 483rd Bombardment Group (H) vent into the
assigned target area without fighter escort or other group support. As
the initial point vas approached approximately seventy-five (75) enc.ymy
fighters swept by the group formation on the right making a wide turn at
the rear in preparation for a tail attack.
When the 483rd Group executed the turn onto the bombing run the
four boxes went into the box-in-trail formation. While the turn was being
made, the aforementioned enemy fighters attacked, supported by an addition-
al force of equal fighter strength. The estimated total enemy fighter
strength was approximately 175-200 when the tail attack was made.
Seven airplanes of the 816th Bombardment Squadron made up the number
four box, and the entire enemy fighter strength made a concentrated attack
on these seven airplanes. Three B-17's were shot to pieces while in level
flight and while maintaining their positions in formation. A fourth went
down, apparently shot out of control, and broke apart as soon as the ship
went into a spin. The three remaining airplanes of the 816th Squadron
drifted out of formation and appeared to be out of control, two of which
were beginning to burn. Several occasional parachutes were seen although
a number of c ew members were thrown from their ships and it is unknowm
whether their parachutes functioned.
A considerable number of enemy fighters were shot dovm by the gunners
in these ships while the attack was being made, but the fighter fire power
was overwhelming. The enemy attack was made in such a manner that very fow
guns of each airplane could bear on the fightors.
The fighter attack was executed in waves of 5 and 6 ships in close
javelin formation closing directly and on a level with the tail of each B-17.
The fighter waves concentrated on 2 or 3 ships on an attack, and firod only
on the rearmost airplanes.
The fighters moved up to the number three box after destroying the
airplanes of the 816th Squadron, and five ships of the 817th Squadron were
destroyed in the same manner.
Twelve remaining airplanes of the 483rd Group reached the target and
dropped their bombs.
WILLARD S. SPERRY;
Lt. Col., Air Corps,
Deputy Group Commander.

AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
Edwin Moye
Rank 1st 0.685335
Serial No.
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander Cax. BARtON Rank CaL Sqn CO GORMAN Rank Capt.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month JULY day 18 did you go down?
4. What was the mission,
target,
, target
time,
11:00
,altitude,
23,500
route scheduled,
,route flown
5. Where were you when you left formation?
Kempton, Germany
6.
Did you bail out? Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? yes
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
sive facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge".
Dsg J KETTLER - Balled out Waste door. LT. MONSON. Nose Escape HARCH
LT. FULTON - Baued out Nose Escape Hatch
3/58/ Smith - Baned our WASTE door
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? NEAR Kempton Germany
10. What members of your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) To my Knowledge
LT. Don MACLIN, T/sge RICHARdo 5/3pt BARney of 5/sp+ Pace
11. Where were they in aircraft? Pisoe SEAC, Radio Room, UNKNOWN Tam THORECT
12. What was their condition? Dead OR severry wounded
14
10. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
13
Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. AT MACLIN WAS shamped OVER IN
picoss sent - Source OF INFORMATION Spt Kevinge Sgt's Richards of Pate
were KILLED OR wounded IN their positions ON the INFORMATION sp+ Kettler
Set BARNEY was seen out OF the BALL Turrett by Sft Ketther
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862,AF

AFP!A- 11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAJRE
Name of crew member
BACLIE
Den a.
Rank:
lat I.
Serial number:
0
Position: Crow (Bomber)
Filot
Did he bail out? No.
Where?
-
If not, why n^t?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
CAN NOT Remember
Was he injured? yes
Where was he when last seen?
Skumped over IN Pilots Sere
Any hearsay information:
the Above IMFORMATION was Received
FROM T/sgr Keaving
Source :
Any explanation if his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
Supposition - IF ne WAS in the PLEANE when / baked cat,
/ do Not beleive that he could have balled out before the
phare crashed,
Total number of missions of above crew member:
35
Dates and destinations if possible: Do Not Remember
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member
NONSON
Donald D.
Rank:
2nd IT
Serial number:
0 - 819 575
Position: Crew (Bomber) :
c P
Did he bail out? Yes
Where?
NeAR Kempton
If not, why not?
-
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
/ Asked For beep but Received No ANSWER
Was he injured?
UNKNOWN
Where was he when last seen?
LEAVING ship
Any hearsay information:
None
Source:
Any explanation of nis fate based in part or wholly on supposition :
None
Total number of missions of above crew member:
UNKNOWN
Dates and destinations if possible:
Do Not Remember
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
RICCIARDO Joseph A.
Rank:
I/Sgt
Serial number:
35 622 653
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Radio o.
Did he bail out?
Unknown
Where?
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
Do NOT Remember
Was he injured?
Where
was he when last seen? IN Radio Compartment
Any hearsay information : de wAs seen or FLORR OF Radio
Comparinent
Source
: 3/spr J. Kettler
Any explanation of his fate tased in part or wholly on supposition:
Total number of missions of above crew member:
UNKNOWN
Dates and destinations if possible:
Do not Remember
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
B A R N E Y
Alton S.
Rank:
s/sgt
Serial number:
36 580 919
Position: Crew (Bomber) (Eighte
Ass't Rodio O.
Did he
bail out? Unknown
Where?
-
If not, why not?
Cast contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane
Do not Remember
Was he injured?
Where was he when last seen?
Any hearsay information: Spt BARNEY was out OF BALL turrett
ANd headed FOR ESLAPC dear
Source :
2/spe J. Kettler
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
NONE
Total number of missions of above crew member
UNKNOWN
Dates and destinations if possible:
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
PATE Janes L.
Rank:
s/sgt
Serial number:
16 055 995
Position: Crew (Bomber) (Righten) :
Ass't Armorer Ganner
Did he bail out?
UNKNOWN
Where?
If not. why not?
-
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane:
-
Was he injured?
-
Where was he when last seen?
IN TEIM turrett
Any hearsay information:
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition:
No
Total number of missions of above crew member:
About 43
Dates and destinations if possible:
Do NOT Remember
6-3861, AF

APPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Il A C L I N
Don R.
Name of crew member:
1st LT
Rank:
0 - 751 560
Serial number:
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Pilot
Did
he bail out? I Do NOT know
Where?
IF HE DID, IT WAS OVER MEMMINGEN, S. GERMANY
If not,
why not? PLANE WAS hIT by 20mm. shells
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane Pilot
ordered cease fire in nose AS planes WERE OUT of range.
Was he injured?
, Do NOT know
Where was he when last seen?
LAST SEEN IN Plane bystheeling
Any hearsay information: NONE
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: No
Total number of missions of above crew member: About 33 SORTIES.
Dates and destinations
if possible: Last mission'ry,uuy 18, destination
Memmingen, S. Dermany.
R.L. Fulton, stht
0-757806
6-3861, AF

APPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
M 0 N S o N
Donald D.
Rank:
2nd LT
Serial number:
o - 819 575
Position: Crew (Bomber)
C P
Did he bail out? I DoNOT Know
Where? IF He Did, Over Memmingen, S.GERMANY
If
not, why not? Plane hit by 20 mm. shells.
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane : Called
fighter attack from right Moving to tail.
Was he injured?
1 Do Not Know
Where was he when last seen? IN PLane by Sqt. Keeling
Any hearsay information:
No
Source :
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: No
Total number of missions of above crew member: About 30 SORTIES
Dates and destinations Destination
if possible: LAST Memmingen, S.Germ.
July 18,44.
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member :
K E E L 1 N G Travis G.
Rank:
T/Sgt.
Serial number:
18 179 174
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Eng.
Did he bail out' ? Yes
Where?
Memminge S. Germany
If not, why not?
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane: NONE
Was he injured?
Yes, one leg Amputated that night, other Lea
badly injured.
Where
was he when last seen? by my friends at German hospital 3 months
after s not down He was in hospital with
Any hearsay information
me at Kemptonfor 2 weeks AFTER
July18. GOOD Recovery Reported by
Lt Saunders; Learningtouse Artificial LeG, Excellent chance
of repatriation. LT. Saunders , 817B.Sq. 483 B. Gp. EX.P.W.
SAWhim Last tomy Knowledge.
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in or wholly on supposition: Presumed
part
returned to U.S. in Good health other than Loss
of Leg. Was'nthe?
Total number of missions of above crew member: AbOUT 35S-RTIES
Dates and destinations if
possible: LAST missio is July 44, Memmingen
6-3861, AF

AFPPA-I1
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member :
R ICCIARDO Joseph A.
Rank:
T/SEt
Serial number:
35 622 653
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Radio o.
Did he bail out? I Do not know
Where?
If HE DID, MEMMINEEN, S. GERM
If not, why not?
Plane hit by 20 mm.
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane None
Was he injured?
I D O NOT Know
Where was he when last seen?
I Do NOT know
Any hearsay information: No
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: No
Total number of missions of above crew member: About 33 SORTIES
Dates and destinations if possible: 18 July44, Memwingen S.G.
6-3861, AF

A' PA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
B A R N E Y
Alton S.
Name of crew member:
Rank:
s/Sgt
Serial number:
36 580 919
Position: Crew (Bomber)
Ass't Radio 0.
Did he bail
out? , Do Not Know
Where? IF HEPID, Memmingen S. Germany
If not,
why not? Plane hit by 20 in. m. Shelds
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane None
Was he
injured? ID.Not Know
Where was he when last seen?
IDo Not know
Any hearsay information: No
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition : No
Total
number of missions of above crew member: About 33 SOUTIES
Dates and destinations if possible: Last m 155104 July 18,44 Memmingen
6-3861, AF

APPPA-11
File No 6954
INDIVIDUAL CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
Name of crew member:
PATE
James L.
Rank:
s/Sgt
Serial number:
16 055 995
Position: Crew (Bomber) :
Ass't Armorer Gunner
Did
he bail out? I D. Not Know
Where? IF He Did, Memmingen, S. berm.
If not, why
not? Plane hit by 20 mm. Shells
Last contact or conversation just prior to or at time of loss of plane NONE
Was he injured?
ID.NoTKnow
Where was he when last seen? I D. Not now
Any hearsay information:
No
Source:
Any explanation of his fate based in part or wholly on supposition: No
Total number of missions of above crew member: About 33 SORTICS
Dates
and destinations if possible: Last mission July 18/44
Memmingen S. berm.
6-3861, AF

.
AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your name
ROGER L. FULTON
Rank 1st LT Serial No. 0-757806
2. Organization 483 Gp Commander Rank C.1. Sqn CO Gorman Rank Capt.
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 1944
month JULY
day 18
did you go down?
4. What was the
mission, Bamb Memmingeri target
Memmingen Airport, target
time, 11:05
,altitude, 20,000
route scheduled, Adriatic
To venice To flown INLAND over Italy + . ve nice, then Meminger
5.
Where were you when you left. formation Turning on I.P., Kempton
6. Did you bail out? Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? Yes, -Moye, Dambadier, Sqt Keeling
Eng, Sqt Ressoler
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how esch person in your aircraft for whom no
individual questionnaire is attached bailed out. : crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say: "No Knowledge". I.T. Moye bailed OUT
with me, Landed with me, was not injured, Sawpim at
Le Haure, Kessler bastedout with me, was injured, was
in hospital with me. keeling's questionaire Attached. No Knowledge
of the other crew members.
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Near Kempton.
10. What members cf your crew were in the aircraft when it struck the ground? (Should
cross check with 8 above and individual questionnaires) I Do Not know,
Not Keaster, Keeding, Moye, or Mys-if, but possibly the
others. i DID NOT See AIRCRAFT closely on GRound.
11. Where were they in aircraft? See 10
12. What was their condition?
see 10
13.
When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above? Members other thank Maye, Sqts Keeding,
KessLer Last seen on initiatingftient. were all
unhurt, astar as I know, until ship was hit and
Rocked by explasions of 20 mm. shalls.
14.
Please give any similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. Lt. LESTER B. (SCHROFF)Sp?
P51 or 47 PILot ORIGINALLY based IN England or N.FRANCE
believed to have remained valuntarity in P.W. Luffwaffe
camp at NURN Rerg,G. in escape attempt under concrete
open air block in North Fast: compound, Awarting American
Arrival which occured After Heavy bombardment and
Occupation of compound by German troops, 5days Later.
I was at Nurnberg, AND he informed me of his intention tostay.
(Any additional information may be written on the back)
6-3862, AF