44mb
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- Joined: 07/24/2008
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Looking for Info on my Father, Alvin Mittelman
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07/24/2008 02:41:44 PM
I believe that my father, Alvin Mittelman was with the 5th BG(H) at Hickam and Espirito Santo. He enlisted June 5, 1941 and was at Hickam on Dec 7, 1941. The only conversation I ever had with him about his WWII service was in the late 80's at an 11th BG(H) reunion in St. Louis. I can't find the notes that I wrote during the conversation. What I recall is:
- he was a Waist Gunner and flew on both B-17 D's & E's
- he participated in the Battle of Midway and said that he was credited with downing a Zero
- he flew missions in the South Pacific on four different aircraft (he named three but I don't recall the names) (he may have been with the 11th BG (H) for a portion of this period).
- One of the aircraft was shot down during a mission up the Slot. He and two others survived and were picked up by a destroyer. They were returned to the New Hebrides after being MIA for two months
- Another aircraft was landed in the lagoon off the end of the Runway (I thought this was at Espirito Santo, my brother thinks it was a different island). Another attendee at the reunion said that he had dove on this aircraft the previous summer.
- he left the South Pacific on a hospital ship before his unit returned to the states to transition to B-24s
From a conversation with his brother last summer:
- The first pilot that my father flew with at Hickam was Colin Kelly
- My father left the South Pacific approx Mar, 1943
- He was discharged from the Springfield (IL) Army Hospital approx Jul, 1943
I'm looking for anyone that might have known him, might know which aircraft he flew in or might know the location of the aircraft in the lagoon.
Thanks
<message edited by 44mb on 07/25/2008 08:57:45 AM >
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44mb
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Total Posts
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7
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Reward points
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117
- Joined: 07/24/2008
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Status: offline
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Re:Looking for Info on my Father, Alvin Mittelman
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08/02/2008 10:16:17 PM
Looking through my fathers memorabilia I found a badge from the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association that says Hickam Field 31st Bomb Sq.
I've also heard from Phil Gudanschwager who has confirmed that my father was with the 11th BG 42nd Squadron when they shipped to the South Pacific in July 1942.
Seth my Father: Pvt Alvin Mittelman B-17 Waist Gunner Hawaiian AF - Hickam Field 1941-42 South Pacific (5th BG(H) or 11th BG(H)?) 1942-43
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