patr
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Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/16/2008 01:26:05 PM
Re: Comparing Orginal Coleman Crew Members vs. Crew Members Shot Down on 25 June 44
http://www.missingaircrew.com/crewnames.asp The Coleman Crew (13th Air Force, 372nd Bombardment Squadron, 307th Bombardment Group) flying B-24J AAF Serial #44-40598 departed Mokerang Field, Los Negros the morning of 25 June 1944 with the ten crew members listed below. They were shot down by a Japanese fighter over Yap Island and declared MIA/KIA.
Gerald D. Coleman Pilot 2nd Lt
John E., Jr. Jurica Co-Pilot 2nd
Martin B. Unger Navigator 2nd Lt
James F. Lind Bombardier 2nd Lt
Robert P. Wagoner Engineer T/Sgt
James R., Jr. Lykens Ass't Engineer S/Sgt
James R. Hurd Radio Operator T/Sgt
John R. McCullough Ass't Radio Operator T/Sgt
Romeo Tetreault Gunner T/Sgt
Bill Williams, Jr. Armorer Gunner T/Sgt
I have located a document dated 29 January 1944, http://www.307bg.org/data/missionreports/29jan1944crews.pdf, that lists the origianl Coleman Crew members who departed the states (Hamiton Field) to their assignment with the 307th Bomb Group at Carney Fieldm Guadalcanal as replacement crews. The original crew include the following men who were not with the Coleman crew when they were shot down on 25 June 1944:
Members of the original Coleman Crew but not on the plane when it was shot down:
Sgt. Gilbert C. Romero
Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo
Sgt. Lawrence Rein
The following crew members including my uncle must have been replacement crew members for the men above. At this time I have no idea when the men below replaced the men above, however, the crew picture was taken in the US before the crew departed for their assignment therefore, the pictures includes the men above and not the three men listed below:
Members Coleman Crew when it was shot down but not part of the original Coleman Crew:
T/Sgt. Bill J. Williams
T/Sgt. Romeo Tetreault
T/Sgt. John R. McCullough
New Officer Names Found on Picture
The following crew picture (same as we have had from other sources) was located by the family of 2nd. Lt. Coleman and sent to me in March 2008. It includes a few names that I have never heard before from the back row of officers. The new two new officer names include co-pilot 2nd Lt. David Grimwood and bombardier 2nd Lt. Marion Sebastian. Since the names were written on the back of the picture by 2nd. Lt. Coleman I can only assume that both Grimwood and Sebastian were members of the Coleman crew in November 1943 when it was originally put together. However, both we replaced by co-pilot 2nd Lt. John E. Jurcia, Jr. and bombardier 2nd. Lt. James F. Lind by the time the crew shipped out to the Pacific in February 1944.
http://www.missingaircrew.com/crew/coleman/crew-names.jpg Does Anyone Have Any Info About the Following Men?
Please share any information you might have regarding the following men. Although they were not lost with the Coleman crew, all were members of the Coleman crew prior to the loss.
Co-pilot 2nd Lt. David Grimwood
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Marion Sebastian
Sgt. Gilbert C. Romero
Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo
Sgt. Lawrence Rein Thanks,
-Pat
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424thBS#1son
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RE: Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/17/2008 09:00:41 AM
Just sent you a PM re this post. I located Lawrence Rein and possibly some others. Please confirm receipt of PM.
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.
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patr
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249
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RE: Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/17/2008 10:50:57 AM
Jim; This is very exciting news!! Thank you! What number can I reach you at today? Send me an email to pat@missingaircrew.com with your contact info. Thanks, -Pat
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patr
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Total Posts
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249
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RE: Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/22/2008 11:13:03 AM
Thanks to the help of this forum and Jim McCabe (father was a member of the 307th BG) I was put in touch this week with a member of the original Coleman crew Sgt. Lawrence Rein and the family of Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo. Both were original Coleman crew members when the crew was put together in November 1943 and when it shipped out to the Pacific in February 1944, however, both were placed before the crew was shot down on 25 June 1944. Rein was replaced due to illness and Santarcangelo due to some disagreement with the pilot. Both survived the war but Fred Santarcangelo passed away a number of years ago. I had a wonderful call with Lawrence Rein who remembers many of the men and events. I’m looking forward to continuing my conversation with Lawrence Rein and the Santarcangelo family. The Santarcangelo family has shared information and pictures at the following link: I’m still seeking information about the following original crew members: - Co-pilot 2nd Lt. David Grimwood
- Bombardier 2nd Lt. Marion Sebastian
- Sgt. Gilbert C. Romero
Also, I have never been able to locate a picture or a lot of information about the following crew member who went down with the plane. Please let me know if anyone can help. - Bill Williams, Jr., Armorer Gunner T/Sgt: http://www.missingaircrew.com/crew/williams/
- Robert P. Wagoner, Engineer T/Sgt:
http://www.missingaircrew.com/crew/wagoner/
Respectfully,
-Pat
<message edited by patr on 03/22/2008 11:14:53 AM >
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424thBS#1son
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Total Posts
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401
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RE: Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/25/2008 10:57:01 AM
Pat,
I have forwarded you contact info for Marion T. Sebastian and David N. Grimwood's son, Howard. They are expecting your call. I've traded some phone messages with (potentially) Gilbert C. Romero or his family.
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.
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patr
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Total Posts
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249
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Reward points
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178
- Joined: 01/04/2003
- Location: Shoreview, Minnesota
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Status: offline
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RE: Coleman Crew, 372nd BS, 3007 BG-Seeking info about crew members replaced
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03/26/2008 08:51:40 AM
Due to the hard work of Jim McCabe we have locate more information about the original members of the Coleman crew who were replaced between the time the crew was put together in November 1943 and lost in June 1944. Jim was able to put me in touch with the family of Co-pilot 2nd Lt. David Grimwood (original member of the Coleman crew and in the only crew picture we have located). More information can be viewed at the following links: Co-pilot 2nd Lt. David Grimwood http://www.missingaircrew.com/crew/grimwood/ Comparing Original Crew Members vs. Crew Members Shot Down http://www.missingaircrew.com/crewnames.asp  Thank you Jim for helping!!!! -Pat
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