Howell Thompson was my Dad's best friend during their time together at the Avon Park, Florida, bombing range in 1943. Later that year, Howell ended up in Framlingham as a Radio Operator with the 569th, my Dad was eventually sent to Foggia, Italy, as a waist gunner with the 97th BG. Howell flew 19 missions, the last to Berlin on March 9, 1944. He was reported KIA on April 12, 1944 and is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery. I have not been able to find out what happened to him. His hometown newspaper is on microfilm three hours from where I live, and if I keep hitting dead ends I will try to make the trip there to see if I can find an article or obit about him. Since I am not a relative, I am unable to request his records. I'm hoping someone might remember him, or know of any other way to research him.

Thanks,
Susan

Susan -
T/Sgt. Howell H. Thompson - Arkansas
96th BG
KIA - 4/12/44
B - 17 # 42 - 97556
A/C was attacked by Luftwaffe Intruder - Crashed Great Glenham , GB
He was only KIA , 2 Wounded , Rest of Crew returned to Duty
Mike

Mike:

Thank you so much for the information. I have a list of all his missions from the Research Data Base and it shows that the last one occurred on March 9, 1944. Where did you find the April mission info?

Thanks again,
Susan

Susan,
   A very interesting case.  Howell flew 19 missions with the 390th BG as a Radio Operator mostly with crew #38.  After March 9th, 1944, he then apparently (was) transferred to the 96th BG where he was KIA on April 12th, 1944 flying as a Ball Turret gunner on ship 42-97556.  Freeman states that the plane was hit from above by a bomb.
   You could contact the 390th Research Department to see if they can add any info as to his transfer to the 96th BG.  You can contact someone with the 96th BG to see if they can straighten out the discrepancy of the airplane damage and the circumstances of his death.
Regards,
Hugh

"Swords Forever"

Thank you, Hugh. I will try and see what I can come up with.

I only discovered Howell recently while reading my Dad's letters he wrote to his parents during the war. I don't ever remember my Dad mentioning him, but he certainly thought a lot of Howell and I know from his letters he was devastated when he received word of his death.

Susan

ORIGINAL: shooshoobaby

Susan -
T/Sgt. Howell H. Thompson - Arkansas
96th BG
KIA - 4/12/44
B - 17 # 42 - 97556
A/C was attacked by Luftwaffe Intruder - Crashed Great Glenham , GB
He was only KIA , 2 Wounded , Rest of Crew returned to Duty
Mike

Just to correct a bit of information, unfortunately Howell was not the only KIA from this crash.  There were 2 others: Lt John Petrowsky-Bombomadier, and Lt  George Pietrucha - Navigator. 

George was my Great Uncle.  I started a thread in the 96th BG forum titled "Doolittle's Disciples, 42-97556 crashed 4/12/44" a few months back.  In that thread a few members recommended the book 'Bomber Stories', which I managed to get a hold of.  I am still looking for a copy of Snetterton Falcons, I've tried my local library, the inter-library loan, and even doing a search of every College/University library in the state and unfortunately have not been able to locate a copy. I'm still looking, and hope to find it someday.

I do recommend taking the suggestion posted above and try contacting the 390th BG museum.  They were helpful to me, in that like you I had a list of missions that George flew with the 390th, but nothing about the transfer to the 96th.  After doing some research the museum was able to come back with a copy of their newsletter where Don MacGregor wrote his story, and a few pictures.  They theorized that he volunteered for the mission, which matches what the family had been told from a friend who was also stationed in Framlingham.

Susan -
The Donald MacGregor Crew , Howell Thompson BT Gunner, had just finished PFF
training 96th BG.
They were approaching the 390th BG Base when Attacked by a LW Night Fighter.
This is in Book: Bomber Stories by Ian Maclachlan
There is also a  MacGregor Crew Picture w/ Thompson and Crash Photos.
Mike

SJP -
One of the Forum Members , xdod , got Copys of Snetterton Falcons I and II
through Inter - Library Loan. 
You can send him a PM for more details
Mike