Willard Sperry

AFPPA-12
CASUALTY QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Your nome Major Paul Hildreth
Rank lst. Lt. Serial No. Q-811202
483rd Bomb.Gp. 816 Sqd.
Paul L. Barton, Colenel
Willard S. Sperry Lt. Col.
2. Organization
Gp Commander
Rank
Sqn co
Rank
(full name)
(full name)
3. What year 19hl
month
July
day
18th did you go down?
4. What was the mission, Memningen, Gernantarget, Airdrome
, target
time, 11:30
altitude, 24,000 Et.
reute scheduled, Direct
, ,route flown Direct
5. Where were you when you left formation? 30 miles South West of Tarket
6. Did you bail out?
Yes
7. Did other members of crew bail out? All members bailed out
8. Tell all you know about when, where, how each person in your aircraft Tor whom no
individual qusstionnaire is attached bailed out. A crew list is attached. Please
give facts. If you don't know, say "No Knowledge". See Back of This Sheet
9. Where did your aircraft strike the ground? Blew up in air- remains hit the ground
30 miles South West of Memmingen, 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)
None
11. Where were they in aircraft? Not in aircraft
12. What was their condition?
13. When, where, and in what condition did you last see any members not already des-
cribed above?
14.
Please
give
any
similar information on personnel of any other crew of which you
have knowledge. Indicate source of information. I saw the following ships
blow up or go down immediately prior to my leaving my ship : Ship flown by:
Timothy A. Gunn 0-690952
Eugene A. Jackson 0-803820
Hans B.
Gussarson, 0-811195
Richard F. Coombs John M. Hommel 0-26133
Howard B. Smithers 0-691417, These were the pilots of the ships that were lost
out of our Squadron, to my knowlegge only one of these pilots returned home, he
was Howard B. Smithers 0-691417, The group lost many more ships this same day
however I wouldn't like to try to list the names of all since I was not acquainted
with them well.
so (Any add (See tional lower informa part of fon back may sheet) be written on the back)
6-3862, AF

COAFI-D-ETAL
EUS3 5. Engineer
pow
Brickson, Charles W. T/Sgt 38398451 Mae Ella Erickson,
RTD
mother, 1221 S.W.
27th St., Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma.
DEC 10 6. Asst Engineer M / A Wlitch, Walter G.
s/Sgt 32726713 Mrs. Ida Ulitch, mother,
2271 Cincinnati Ave.,
Bronx, N.Y.
NA t 7. Radio Operator M minites J.
Bermande, William T/Sgt 31280499 Mrs. I. se Gordon, mother
64 Elizabeth St.;
Norwich, Conn.
DED 2 8. Asst Radio Oper. Nicholas J.
36735692 Mr. Peter Cook, father,
158 W. 158th St. S.
Holland, Ill.
KIA7 9. Ammorer Gunner M At Milks, Lewis E.
s/Sgt 3766312C Mrs. Rowena Milks,
mother RFD #2,
KIA
Sioux City, Iowa.
DED
10. Asst Armorer Gunn. Murphy, Ralph B.
mita
s/Sgt
19106882
Mr. Dysart Murphy,
father, Rt #8, Box 523,
Phoanix, Arizona.
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIR-
CRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted
Last
Saw
NAME IN FULL
RANK
SERIAL NO.
by Radio
Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. Willard S. Sperry
Lt Col.
0396325
X
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
) Parachutes were used ( ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
Any other reason (specify) Unknown?. Surrounding circumstances not reasonably
conclusive of KIA casualty status.
13.
ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP, CHART
OR SKETCH, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASH,
FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crew MIA
in enemy occupied territory.
Date of this Report: 20 July
Wdddum
W. L. LINN,
Major, Air Corps,
2 Incls:
Operations Officer.
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 - Statement of Lt Col Sperry
CONFIDENTIAL
- -

C-CFDBNTIA
L
5. Engineer
Pow Hurst, Owen C.
s/sct 36443433 Mrs. Caryle Eillen Hurst,
wife, Walnut, Gen. Illinois. Del.,
RTD
6. Asst Engineer M.A Pederson, Ivan J.
s/Sgt 39205056 Peter Anndraaus Pederson,
POD
father, Rt. 5, Box 349,
Mt. Vernon, Washington.
7. Radio Operator MM Cretors, Karl A.
I/Sgt 35583585 Mrs. Amy E. Cretors, mother,
PUD
4020 Byran Ave.,
Indianapolis, Ind.
8. Asst Radio Oper. Morley, Warren J.
s/Sgt
15126705 Alfred C. Morley, father,
tein
5 Rosedale Elvd,
Norwalk, Ohio.
9. Armorer Gunner MIA Guthrie, Max B.
s/Sgt 16160400
Mrs. Artie Guthrie, mother,
PDD
8215 Asbury Park,
MATH
Detroit, Mich,
10. Asst Armorer Gunn. Morrison, Bernard c. s/Sgt 16151971 Mrs. Esther Morrison, mother,
aerial Photographer, Robinson Robert E. 5/24/ 15068681 Pickford,
Michigan.
11.
IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIR-
CRAFT AND CHECK EPPROPRIATE (only one) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted Last
Saw
NAME IN FULL
RANK
SERIAL NC.
by Radio Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. Willard S. Sperry
Lt Col.
0396325
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE RELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, CHECK OME OF THE FOLLOWING:
(
) Parachutes were used ( ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
(
)
Any other reason (specify) Unknown. Surrounding circumstances not reasonably
conclusive of KIA casuali ty status.
13. ATTACH, AS IN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP, CHART
OR SKETCH, SHOWING APPROXDIATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASH,
FORCED LAMDING, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crew MIA
in eneny occupied territory.
*
Records in this offer show Robert E. Robinson, 15,068,681 of 817th BS
flew aboard plane no. 42-97671 of Date of thi S Report: 20
July 1944
816 BS as anial photographer.
Widchan
W.L. LINN,
Major, Air Corps,
2 Incla:
Operations Officer.
Incl 1 ** Overlay
Incl 2 -- Statement of Lt Col. Sperry
D
- 2 -

CONFIDETIAL
5. Engineer
MIAV Mazzacone, Angelo R.
I/Sgt 32724303 lirs. Ralph Massacone,
mother, 6 Pleasent-
ville Rd, Ossining,
New York.
6. Asst Engineer M , A Short, Douglas
J.
s/Sgt 35589443 Mrs. C.F. Short,
mother, 1764 pillside
Terrace, Akron, Ohio.
7. Radio Operator Port Greene, Andrew R., Jr.
T/Sgt 14153670 Mrs. Jesse Nollen
not
Greene, mother
Hobbs Road, RTD
Nashville, Tenn.
8. Asst Radio Oper. ARamsdell, Raymond C.
s/Sgt 1215552,8 Mrs. Bessie L.
Ramsdell, mother,
116 Monhagen, Ave.,
Middletown, .Y.
9. Armorer Gunner MIA Wertenberger, Almont (NMI) s/Sgt 35766055 Mrs. A. Wertenberger,
Jr.
mother, 410 W.
Lawrence St.,
Mishawaka, Indiana.
10. Asst Ammorer Gunn. NIA Huntley, John H.
s/Sgt 16160362 Mrs. Edith Emma
Huntley, mother
2124 Townsend st.,
Detroit, Mich.
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIR-
CRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE fonly one) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted
Last
Saw
NAME IN FULL
Rank
SERIAL NO. by Radio Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. James V. Schofield
T/Sgt
19163285
2. Willard S. Sperry
Lt Col.
0396325
X
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, CHECK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
(
) Parachutes were used ( ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
Any other reason (specify) No chutes observed from plane. Surrounding circum-
stances not reasonably conclusive of KIA casualty status.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP, CHART
OR SKETCri, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION WHERE ATRCRAFT was LAST SEEN. Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASH,
FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF ANY, AND GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason). None. Crew MIA
in enemy occupied territory.
Date of this Report: 19 July 1944.
Wddch
W. L. LINN,
Major, Air Corps,
3 Incls:
Operations Officer.
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 - "Statement of T/Sgt. Schofield
Incl 3 - Statement of Lt Col Sperry
C

GONEIDEHTIAL
5. Engineer MIA me Fischetti, Alfred B. s/Sgt 12158677 John Fischetti, father,
48-14 205th St.,
Bayside, Long Island, N.Y.
DED 6. Asst Engineer With Nicholas, Hubert (NMI) T/Sgt 35789368
Mrs. Maude E. Nicholas,
mother, Quinton, Ky.
KIA 7. Radio Operator & Jerry (NMI) I/Syc sister,
13106376 Mildred Scharf,
913 E. 27th St.,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
for 8. Asst Radio Oper. mia M Odiorne, Dolph, s/Sgt 36421479
Jr. Mrs. Evelyn Odiorne,
mother, Box 54, Berrien
Center, Michigan.
EUS 9. Armorer Gunner I sow Jaski, Stephen (NMI) 3/Sgt 16119266 Bette Jane Jaski, wife,
1633 Cedar St.,
RTD
Saginaw, Michigan.
KIA 10.
MI A
Asst Armorer Gunn. Niezgocki, Vernon G. S/Sgt 17154732 Albert Miezgocki, father,
Rt 7, 2080 English St.,.
St. Paul, Minn.
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO have LAST KNOWLEDGE OF AIR-
CRAFT AND CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLUMN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted
Last
Saw
NALE IN FULL
RANK
SERIAL NO.
by Radio
Sighted Crash Forced Land'ing
willard S. Sperry
Lt Col
0396325
X
12. IF PERSONNEL ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SURVIVED, RHECK ONE OF THE FOLEOWING:
) Parachutes were r.sed ( ) Persons seen walking away from scene of crash
) Any other reason (specify) Unknown. Surrounding circumstances not reasonably
conclusive of KIA casualty status.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REFORT, EITHER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH, MAP, CHART,
OR SKETC i, SHOWING APPROXIMATE LOCATION: WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. t'ached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, FYENITNESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASH.
FORCED LANDING, OR OTHER CIRCULISTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF ANI, AMD GIVE NAME, RANK, AND SERIAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HEHE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crow MIA
in eneny occupied territory.
Date of this Report: 20 July 1944.
Witchan
W. L. LINN,
Major, Air Corps,
2 Incls:
Operations Officer.
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 em Statement of It Col Sperry
- 2 -

C ONFIDENIIA I
Nob. Armorer Ginner Nichols, Charles N. MIA S/Sgt 38209175 liyrile Nichols, (mother)
2010 E. 7th St, Pine Bluff,Ark.
pm 10. Asst Arm. Gunner Granneman, Olan C. MIHS/SEt. 37502007 Hubert Granneman (Fathor)
a
Alma, Mo.
11, IDENTIFY BELON THOSH PERSONS VHO ARE believed TO HAVE IASI OF AIRCRAFT AND
CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLUAN TO IMDICATE BASIS FOR SAE:
1. Willard S. Sperry It. Col. C-396325
12. IT PERSONNEL ARE HELIEVED TO have SURVIVED, CHECK ONE O THE CLIONING: ( ) Parachutes
were used ( ) Persons scon walking away from scane of crash Any
other
reason
Unknom
Surrounding circumstances are not reasonably conclucive of a
KTA easualty status
13. ATTAGH, no AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, EITTER AURIAL PHOTGRAPH, MAP, CHALT, OR
SKECTH, SHOWING APPROKINATE LOCATION WHERE AIRCRAFT WAS LAST SEEN. Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYEWITNESS DESCHIPTIONS or CRASH, FORCED LANDING,
OR OTHER CIRCUNSTANCES PERTAIMING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT. Attached.
15. ATTACH, AN AN INCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF THE EXTENT OF SEARCH, IF ANY.
None. Crow MIA in oneny occupied tarritory.
DATE of this Report- 20 July 1944
Mortha
2 Incls:
W. L. LINE
Incl 1-Ovorlay
Major, Air Corps,
Incl 2-Statement Lit. Col. Sperry
Operations Officer.
CONFIDENTIAI