I'm new to this site.  I'm inquiring about my uncle, Otis E Strobel, who was a 2nd Lt, pilot with the 563rd BS. 
This is what I've been told:
After picking up new planes in the mid-west (St Louis, maybe?), they all eventually made their way to Buffalo. He called home for the last time. 
He said they had named the plane the 'Shooting Star' (?).
They then went to Newfoundland. Kept back an extra day. (Suspected break-in at the air field.) Took off the next day, June 21st for Iceland.  Instead of flying 3 plane formations, they flew one at a time/single file, take-offs about 3-10 minutes apart. Three planes, including his, never made it to Iceland.
A year later, there was a finding of death. His name is on the monument facing NY harbor. That's about all I know. 
Supposedly, there was a 'thorough' investigation.  Sabotage was suspected. (?)
Would there be any records? If so, where? How many were on the crew? What were their names? Anywhere to get pictures?
His widow, my aunt, never would talk about things. The above was 'collected' bit by bit over quite a few years. When I wanted to request military files, using her as next of kin (they didn't have any children, only married a few months), she said it was silly to go over those things.  She passed away a couple of years ago. 
And, I still want to learn about the man I never knew. Can anyone help? Any information would be gratefully received.
Maureen

B17-F-35-BO   42-30229     388BG  563BS
 
P         1lt Marvin F Kamholz
CP       2lt Otis E Strobel
N         2lt Leonard Fischer
B         2lt Richard A May
TTG     t/sgt Earl L Persyn
RO      t/sgt Paul J Orsulak Jr
BTG    s/sgt Roland A Metivier
LWG   s/sgt Robert B Miller
RWG   s/sgt Robert E Eggleton
TG      s/sgt William Marko
 
lost between Gander, Newfoundland and Prestwick Scotland
 

ron
http://www.mary-ruth.ontheweb.nl/

Ron,
 
Thank you VERY much for your speedy reply, and the information.
I knew they took off from Gander ... but the next stop was Prestwick, not Iceland, like I had been told. (?) Interesting......
Gives a new view on guessing latitude/route of the flight, a little further south than I had imagined.
Thanks again,
Maureen

Hi Maureen...I am not sure if you have this information but here it is anyway.  It will help if you send for his service records.  He had a brother, Charles, who also enlisted.  I have more family info if you want it.
 
NAME: OTIS E. STROBEL
SERIAL NUMBER: 12033728
RESIDENT STATE: NEW YORK
RESIDENT COUNTY: NASSAU
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT: NEW YORK CITY
DATE OF ENLISTMENT: 07 NOV 1941
BRANCH: AIR CORPS
PLACE OF BIRTH: MASSACHUSETTS
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1915
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: OIL AND GAS MAN
EDUCATION: 4 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL
MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE W/OUT DEPENDENTS
 
BROTHER
NAME: CHARLES T. STROBEL
SERIAL NUMBER: 32802122
RESIDENT STATE: NEW YORK
RESIDENT COUNTY: NASSAU
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT: NEW YORK CITY
DATE OF ENLISTMENT: 11 FEB 1943
BRANCH: UNK
PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW JERSEY
YEAR OF BIRTH: 1924
CIVILIAN OCCUPATION: UNK
EDUCATION: GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MARITAL STATUS: SINGLE WITH DEPENDENTS

 
Heather

Heather,
 
Thanks for your reply.  I did find Otis' info awhile back. I'm not sure if Charles IS a 'brother'.  I'll email you privately about 'family' information, since this forum probably isn't the right place for it.
From the American Battle Monument site, I also learned he had a second serial number/service number assigned to him, after he became an officer.
 Otis E. Strobel, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces, Service # 0-798693
 
I've sent in a Form 180 .... but what I really would like to get a hold of is any file about the 'disappearance' and subsequent FOD. A father of one of the other crew members supposedly pestered his Congressman or Senator, and after the war, went to the approximate site (by plane or ship) and laid a wreath.  Considering there was probably radio silence, and radar at that time ... did it even exist? How they could 'zero' in on a location puzzles me.  All kinds of questions.
 
Thanks again for your help,
Maureen
 
 
 

Maureen - Preswick was the destination. Iceland was to be used for emergency landings only.
His Crew # 30 is listed in 388th At War .  Lost , no other info.
 

Thanks for the information.  Every little bit helps.
 
Your explanation of destinations clears up my Preswick/Iceland confusion.
 
Since his Crew # was 30, does this indicate his was one of the 'originals' in the BG/BS?  I realize that there were a LOT of crews.
 
Also, you mentioned '388th At War'.  I'm not familiar with the contents of the book.  Does it start with info on stateside activities, or is it primarily about what happened after they arrived in Britain?  Since my uncle was 'lost' on the way over, it would only worth my pursuing if it covered the earlier stuff.

Maureen - Yes - his Crew was one of the original 41 . 563d Sq.
The Book , 388th at War by Edward Huntzinger . The first Chapter has all information from when Group was formed , training in the U.S. , Bases etc.
It is a fairly rare book. One copy for sale on Ebay now. Also try www.abebooks.com
Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the add'l info.  With title & author, I did a search in OCLC/World Cat and found the book at several libraries.  Since I'm only really 'interested' in the first chapter, I'm thinking .... why add yet another book to my overstuffed bookshelves?! <g>

By the way .... I see that the book was published in 1979 and has 272 pages.  How many pages are in Chapter 1?

Thanks again,
Maureen

Maureen - there are just a few pages. Uncle's info pages 6and 7. Crew pictures were usually taken before Groups shipped over. Does your Aunt have it?
Cheers

Mike,
 
Thanks for the additional info.
As far as a crew photo .... after she passed away in 2004, the only ones left were nieces & nephews to take care of things .... I don't recall seeing such a group picture.  Will have to check with one or two others. 
Just in case it no longer can be found, was there a copy of all photos kept anywhere in some sort of BS/BG archive?
 
Maureen

Maureen,
            My father was the 563rd Squadron Commander. He flew on the same ferry mission as your uncle and I am sure would have known him. The Kamholz crew was the first one that he lost.
            I have created a website for the 388th and I will add your uncle's information to it. If you have a photo of him or his crew please send that to me and I will add that as well.
http://388bg.org
 
Dick Henggeler

Dick Henggeler
388th BG Association Historian

Can anyone provide any bio information on the pilot, 1Lt. Kamholtz, such as what was provided for Strobel?

Thanks,
David

David -
For Enlistment Record go to
www.nara.gov
Click on Data Bases
then click on  Enlistment Records upper left
Mike