My father was in the 73rd/498th/875th and I am looking for anyone with any information at all.  His name was Zenas Belmont Barnett.  From records that are available, my father received the Flying Cross Medal but no one knows why.  Most of his government records were destroyed by "The Fire" and my father would never speak of the war.  Any help would be appreciated. 
NurseBunnell@msn.com

Sarita :

Please see http://b-29.org   Lots of information on the 73rd Bomb Wing. you can join the website, and ask your questons there.

Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

DFC was awarded after completing 25 missions. It is very likely that he made that many and was given the DFC. Also the Air Medal was awarded for every 5 missions so he probably had that also. 73rd/498/874

The DFC was not just given after 25 missions.  My father's was awarded for, as are all DFCs, for "heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight".  Dad's was awarded for action on his seventh mission of 15 February 1945.  He was not presented the award until July of 1945.  You should be extremely pleased that your father received this award.  

Son of Lt Kenneth F Fine, original navigator on Z Square 22, "The Leading Lady", crew #201. Dad had been with the crew since 1944 in Victoria, KS.

My father did fly over 25 missions.  I do have an official copy of each of his missions, with dates and locations.  I was actually trying to find out what "act of heroism" was performed for him to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The only thing my family and I can think of is one instance that my father did speak about.  Apparently, his plane received fire during a mission and was shot.  In fact, according to the story my father spoke of, my father took on some of the fire in his position...he was a tailgunner....it blew out the area he was in and the crew believed my father to be dead; that is, until they landed and he was able to climb back into the aircraft.  My father stated he could hear the crew through his headphones the entire time saying things like "they got featherhead" and "I can't believe they got featherhead".  He said the crew was quite surprised and extremely happy to see him alive and kicking when they landed.  Could this have been the instance that resulted in his award?

NurseBunnell...It very well could have been....normally it should have been a heroic act, although, the 8th AF bestowed the medal on all members of a crew that finished 25 missions, up until October 1944,even though the practice should have been stopped well before then.
 
If an award such as the DFC is given for mere completion of missions, then, this cheapens the reason for the award.  The practice varied among Major Air Forces and Commands. Similarly the award of the Air Medal was confused, as well, as the number of missions required for the Air Medal varied with Bomber Units, Fighter and Cargo units.
 
I think you should keep digging to try and discover what the circumstances were that caused the award of the DFC.
 
Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

Dear Nurse,
Your Dad's aircraft was T sq 53, 44-69706 of the 875th. The data is ambiguous as to the name of the B-29 but it is either "Black Bart's Revenge" or "Vanishing Rae". Do either of these names appear in the documents you have?
The Distinguished Flying Cross was earned for gallantry in the 73rd Bomb Wing. The AirMedal was rewarded for flown combat missions. Akin to perfect attendance award on a report card. An Oak Leaf is added for  additional missions over the Bomb Group's base requirement. In the 73rd's case, every 5 missions. Your Dad's service is to be admired and revered.
Bill

My father was in the 73rd/498th/875th and I am looking for anyone with any information at all.  His name was Zenas Belmont Barnett.  From records that are available, my father received the Flying Cross Medal but no one knows why.  Most of his government records were destroyed by "The Fire" and my father would never speak of the war.  Any help would be appreciated. 
NurseBunnell@msn.com


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Bill
CAF main hangar
Midland, Tx