Hello

I am new th this forum and am seeking information about my uncle, Sgt. Theodore Pinkos.  He served with the 445th BG, 740th BS.  Owing to the wealth of knowledge I have uncovered here and other places on the internet, I have discovered the names of his crew:

Robert Zook, pilot
Robert Miller, co-pilot
Cecil G. Ash, bombadier
Seymour Waterman, navigator
Francis Peyerl, radio operator
Vern Ussery, engineer
Frederick W. Link, tail turret gunner
Joseph A Rositano, belly turret gunner
William West, nose turret gunner

My uncle Ted was a waist gunner. 

From the sad state department letter my mother has given me, my uncle's B-24 was lost to anti-aircraft fire while on a mission to the Munchendorf airdrome in Austria.  The letter states that the bomber went down in the general vicinity of Mullendorf.  Ted was killed (along with Francis Peyerl and Frederick W. Link).
Another letter that came after the war states that my uncle was found at Bad Proderadorf, 10 miles east of Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

A search of the WWII prisoner of war database tells me that the surviving members of the crew were sent to various Stalags.

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with any of the above names and remembers anything about them, that mission, any information, really.  I am trying to turn my family's small oral history of Ted's final mission into a written history that the family can know, and pass along to our future generations.  Through process of elimination I think I have the MACR number of 5045, but all the databases say is 'Lost over Austria.'  How can I be sure if this is correct?  And what is the best route to pursue to get the complete MACR.  I know there are websites that will get them for you for about $25.00.  Thanks in advance for any help.  

Hello,

The MACR No. is indeed 5045.  You can order it online for free from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) on this site:

http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/mailer/contactusemail.asp

You can also directly E-Mail one of the archivists, lynn.gamma@maxwell.af.mil

2nd Lt Zook was the co-pilot on that mission, and 2nd Lt Richard Jones was the pilot (2nd Lt Robert Miller wasn't flying with this crew that day).

The aircraft was B-24H-10-FO Serial Number 42-52190.

Have you ordered the Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF, or "293 File")?  These files can be ordered from the US Army, and will contain details about the search and recovery of you uncle's remains.  Check the research section of this site for ordering instructions.

I'll check to see what else I can find.  If you haven't already, you can check out the 455th BG information posted at the following Web Site:

http://www.awardphp.com/veterans.php

Good hunting!

Dave







 

My listing (no PIC) for...
SECRET WEAPON, The B - 24 H - 10 - FO 42-52190 15 455 740
24 May 44 - MACR 5045
 
Note: NOT to be confused with...
SECRUT WEAPIN B - 24 J - 80 - CO 42-100224 7 11 98 ~ ~ 224
http://www.b24bestweb.com/Pics-S-SEA-SEL.htm

Daniel L. Stockton "B-24 Best Web"
http://www.b24bestweb.com/

Got PICs? (>7400 on site!)
Submit PICs

Thank you Daniel and Dave.  This helps a lot.  When my mom finds the pictures she has "somewhere" I will share them.  The research into the events of my uncle's demise are both emotional and very satisfying at the same time.  I have found so much in such a short period of time.  It's people like you who are the true historians.

By the way, I keep forgetting to mention that my name is Tom Gilson.

Tom
 
New PIC and info from Dave shows this to be...
 
SECRET WEAPON, The B - 24 G - 5 - NT 42-78099 15 455 740
http://www.b24bestweb.com/secretweapon-the.htm

Daniel L. Stockton "B-24 Best Web"
http://www.b24bestweb.com/

Got PICs? (>7400 on site!)
Submit PICs

As a researcher for the Fort Smith Historical Society of Fort Smith, Arkansas, I interviewed Vern Ussery's wife after his death this year. The resulting article was published in the Sept. 2007 issue of the Journal of the Fort Smith Historical Society. If you'd like I can send you a copy of this article which describes Vern's capture and time in a German POW camp, and the 86 day march across Germany before his rescue by American troops.

This is just the type of information I have been looking for!  I have the MACR and am waiting for the IDPF, but I have been trying to collect information/ contact the survivors as well.  I would greatly appreciate a copy of your article.  Thank you! 

r0tgmqt~
Just making sure that you recieved my email.... I have a feeling that it did not work. Francis Peyerl was my great uncle and my family has information about their mission. Let me know if you got it!

Kelly, thanks again for putting me in touch with your aunt.  We are sharing information, and this has been very helpful!