Looking for information on my Grandfather, Eugene Newton Williams.  I'm doing family research and realized that we know very little about what he actually did as a T/sgt in the 493rd. 

We do know that he flew enough missions to have his CO award him a "Lucky Bastard" certificate - we're actually searching the family archives for this item as it has his CO's name on it and from there we can find out which squadron and hopefully, plane(s) he helped crew.

He signed up in Sacramento, California, through the National Guard, March 3rd, 1941, and ended up in the Army Air Force.  He served in the 493rd until sometime in '45.  I don't know what his duties were as a Tech Sargeant, but I know that during a mission over France, he had to fill in as a gunner for someone who either took sick or was injured.

Soon after his discharge, he married Dorothy Heap, his fiance' from England, eventually moved to Utah, and worked at Hill Air Force Base over the years until retiring, and never talked much about his service unless pressed for input.  His uniform, gear, and some letters were tucked away in a basement closet until sometime before his death in 1991.  His Purple Heart was not among his things, but the case for it was.

Any information is appreciated.  Thank you for the opportunity for me to learn more about my grandfather.

Well, I found that Eugene completed 33 sorties on 3 Feb 1945 and were released to the Zone of the Interior.  This means he was ready to leave England.  I will try to trace him back to see when he reported and with which crew.
 
This will take some time, but will be in touch again.
 
In the National Archives records, I have found 2 Eugene N. Williams who both enlisted on 3 March 1941 -- both in Sacramento.  One resided in Placer County and had 2 years of college.  The other was from Sacramento County and was a high school graduate.  Which one matches your grandfather?
 
Take care,
 
 

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945

It didn't take me as long as I thought to find when your grandfather reported to the 493rd BG -- it was on 28 August 1944.  The crew he was with were assigned to the 860th BS.  Here is a list of the crew members:

2nd LT William J. LODMAN - pilot
2nd LT Gerald D. LUCAS - co-pilot
2nd LT Harvey L. COOK - navigator
2nd LT Michael C. COY - bombardier
Cpl James W. REGESTER - radio operator/gunner
Cpl Ehrman S. LEEDY - gunner
Cpl Rudolph R. GUERRERO - gunner
Cpl Roy R. SHOWALTER - armorer/gunner
Cpl Eugene N. WILLIAMS - flight engineer/gunner
Sgt Lawrence E. HALSTED - gunner
 
Based on the serial number on the reporting document, Eugene resided in Placer County.  Is that correct?

This is a start.  What else would you like me to look for?

David Schmitt
d.schmitt@prodigy.net
son of 1st LT Donald J. Schmitt, USAAF, co-pilot
assigned to 493rd BG/863rd BS at Debach, England
from Nov 1944 thru May 1945