A B-24 crash occurred north of Morrill, Nebraska, on May 5, 1944, with a crew from the 493rd based at McCook, Nebraska.  The crash killed six crew members, but two survived.

I would like to know if anyone has heard of these two airmen and if they might have served in combat after the crash.

2nd Lt. William N. Salomon - navigator
Cpl. William F. Kilkeary - gunner

Thanks,
Jerry

www.NebraskaAirCrash.com

Hello Jerry,
 
I have some microfilmed documents from the 493rd BG beginning back in 1943.  I found 2nd LT William N. Salomon (0699251) listed on the Officer Roster dated 29 Feb 1944.  He was listed as a Navigator with the 862nd BS.
 
Unfortunately, the microfilm does not contain a similar document for enlisted, so finding Cpl William Kilkeary will be more difficult.
 
I will first try to find them on the documents that report newly arriving crews.
 
I did jump ahead to the July 1944 Officer Roster and 2nd LT Salomon is not listed.
 
The search is just beginning.  I will let you know what I find.
 
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

Hello Jerry,
 
I looked through the 493rd BG Officer Rosters for July, August and September 1944 -- No Salomon listed.  So, it looks like he didn't go to Debach.  I also checked the reports for May 1944 to see if there is any mention of a crash on 5 May and found nothing.  Actually, there really isn't much information for the month of May 1944, except for some newly reporting crews, but this was after the 493rd BG arrived at Debach.
 
I did find that he reported to the 493rd BG on 7 Feb 1944 with the crew of 2nd LT O. A. Jones and they were assigned to the 862nd BS.  Cpl Kilkeary was not part of this crew.
 
As for Cpl William F. Kilkeary (13107577) (MOS 611 - Aerial Gunner), on 10 Apr 1944 he was assigned to Crew 42 (there is no crew listings on the microfilm).  Then, on 15 Apr 1944 he was given a temporary promotion to SGT.  That is all I could find on him.
 
As I mentioned, the microfilm does not have an enlisted roster of any sort, so I cannot say for sure as to whether or not he was with the 493rd BG at Debach.  I did look through the June and July 1944 Special Orders, paying particular attention to promotion lists (usually alphabetical) and for arriving crews.  His name was not mentioned.
 
Hope this helps.  If you need anything else, don't hesitate to contact me.
 
 

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