I am the Operations NCOIC of the 72nd Bomb Squadron (Heavy) from Hickam Field (Pearl Harbor)-1941 to Espiritu Santo(s)-1944. If there are any of you out there who were there with me, or in later parts of the USAF, I'd like to hear form you. Does anyone remember Capt. Bloch? All the best to all of you who were there, throughout WWII. [signature]

Dear Mr. Klein, My name is Jim Dorsey. My Father Sgt. John (Jack) Dorsey served as a crewman, Ball Turret Gunner on a Liberator named "About Average". I'm trying to determine if he or the aircraft was part of the 72nd BS. Found a few pictures in his old book History of the 5th BG. I would appreciate any information you could provide to me. Sincerely Jim Dorsey. [signature]

Dear Mr. Klien:

I am looking for any info on my father Bombardier Floyd R. Blair. He was in the 13th AF,5th BG, 72nd Sqd (H) 18th bomb wing. Was at Pearl Harbor, Soloman Islands and elswhere in the pacific theater. He was awarded the Silver Star for sinking a ship in the Battle of Midway. I am looking for any tail numbers or nose art that was on this bombing run.

I am researching my uncle 1st Lt. Walter Frances Lewis of Reading, Mass. I know he was lost on 6/3/1944. Flying on Peter Angelakos crew as co-pilot. I have the MACR and it supplies great detail. 9 men bailed out and were seen on the water only 35 miles from Truk but were never seen again. My uncle was a pilot and I believe deployed with the squadron when it went overseas. Supposedly he was in the hospital, sick with something, and his plane went out with another pilot and crashed upon landing. The co-pilot or navigator lost his legs. He was from Texas and after returning home my Mother and Grandmother went on a train to visit him to see if he knew anything about my uncles whereabouts. Anyway, this is why he was available to volunteer to fly as co-pilot on the angelakos crew, because he was now without a crew. I think that his original crew may have been lost on 5/5/1944 with Major Cass flying. I have this MACR also. This plane was not lost on landing but rather shot down with only the pilot and copilot survivng after three days in a life raft. Th edetails could have been twisted over time. Any information regaidng my uncle or his original crew would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact me on-line or at 978-851-4587 . Leave me your number and I would be glad to get back to you.

Looking for brothers in arms to Leo C. Nichols.  13th AAF 5th BG (H).  Unknown squadron.  Aug. 43 - July 44

My Father, M Sgt Joseph Geml, I believe served with the 72d Sqd. He passed away in 1994, & I would like to know if anyone remembers serving with him. 
 
                            Thank you

IS THIS YOUR FATHER?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/8TH-AIR-FORCE-GEML-IN-BED-WORMINGFORD-AIR-BASE_W0QQitemZ330072112397QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4727QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Jim McCabe
My father, Lt. Mike McCabe(deceased 4/26/05), 307th BG, 424th BS, was a Navigator based at Morotai. Mission dates ranged from 2/20/45-8/1/45.

http://www.5thbomberbarons.com/html/72ndbs.html

Jim McCabe
My father, Lt. Mike McCabe(deceased 4/26/05), 307th BG, 424th BS, was a Navigator based at Morotai. Mission dates ranged from 2/20/45-8/1/45.

424:   That Pic is of my Uncle Paul, Who is my Fathers Brother. He served in the 8th AF.
 
            Thanks,                 Joe

Sgt Klein,
  I was tail gunner of  B-17E  412415. Uncle Biff" attached to the 72nd Bomb Sq., during May and June  (Battle of Midway) statoned at Bellows Field.  We were reported shot down, however the plane which was shnt down was the City of San Francisco, piloted by LT Robert S Porter - somehow our tail number was associated with City of San Francsico.
  Can you give me any info on the City of San Francisco - including its correct tail number and crfew details.  I would like to also find any information on the cerfemony in which the plane was donated to the US Army Air Corps.
   Joe Goeppner, LTC, USA(Ret)   My email address is winner1@bellsouth.net

Joe -
From Roger Freeman's Book , B - 17 Flying Fortress Story:
# 41 - 2415
Assigned Hickam  11/10/42
Written Off 5/11/44.
# 41 - 9156 " Uncle Biff "
Assigned 7th AF 6/7/42
transferred to 13th AF 7/22/42
back to 7th AF 1/10/43
back to 13th AF 5/4/43
Written Off Oahu 6/11/45
Mike

There is significant confusion regarding the correct tail numbers for each of the  aircraft involved.   It is my belief that all result from  reference to Sgt Handrow's diary(printed in "Grey Geese Calling" by Cleveland; re-iterated in "B-17 Nose Art Name Directory" by Forman.   In "Fortress Against The Sun" Salecker really confuses it all by stating the the City of San Francisco, 41-2415, was shot down on June 5, l942, with Lt Robert S. Porter as Pilot.  That is patently untrue - I flew a mission in 41-2415  in that area, with Arthur Birleffi as pilot ,on that date.  I was lucky enough to find Sgt  Herman Klein's post Here- under "13thAAF,5thBG,72nd Sqd 4/21/,2004, in which he states he was NCOIC  as Operations Sergeant  of the 72nd during May-Jun of l942.  I have sent him a PM and an email seeking his help with this I hope he is still allive - I have not have a response to my requests so far.   I have also been in touch with
Sgt Gibson (this same web-page - indicating he is aware of research being don by a Marine Sgt named Wyatt, on B-17s in the Pacific - I am contacting him.

Did you ever hear from Sgt Klein,
Do you have an email address, phone, snail mail  et
I waas with his unit - would like to contact

Did you ever hear from Sgt Klein in any way -  I was attached to 72nd at Bellows during the Battle of Midway and Have been trhing to contact him  _Please advise   my email is winner1@bellsouth.net
LTC Joe Goeppner, USA(REt_

I have been trying to contact Sgt Klein ever since he posted -= Did you ever hear from him  I was a gunner atchd to 72nd Bomb at Bellows during the Battle of Midway - Please advise if you were able to contact him
  my email is winner1@bellsouth.net     LTC JOE Goeppner, USA(Ret)