Reno Ed
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Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
Is anyone aware of someone who lives near Savannah GA that might be a willing, paid, set of eyes and hands to do research at the museum?
Thanks- Reno Ed
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MB0427
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Ed,
Have you tried contacting the Museum ? They may know someone. Sometimes an employee will do some research work on the side for a reasonable fee. I know a Pilot who was able to locate a retired worker from the AFHRA who researched his missions for far less than a "professional" researcher would charge. Putting a help wanted add in the local newspaper has worked at times.
Regards, Marc
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Reno Ed
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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These are exactly my thoughts also. Your "newspaper ad" is a VERY good idea. I picture Savannah as a possible college town, I'll see if that's an avenue to dredge up a student researcher. (I also pictured it as a retirement venue for ex-military, but no responses from that community yet.) I've had a generous offer from someone hoping to visit in the future. I only contacted the Museum last week, so I'm waiting to see the extent that they can offer assistance "in-house".
I've been working in our county library for 25 years so I've seen everyday the level of assistance that I'm hoping for.
Thanks for your suggestions and your interest.
I'm trying to get the "rest" of the "rest of the story" initiated by John O Ramsey in 1990. He tried mightily to find the disposition of the body of William H Thomas, Jr - her first husband. He met with Francis Mungavin in 1990, who said B-17 43-39050 continued flying for about 30 minutes after the crew bailed out (disputing MACR 12886 assembled from the crew after release from a POW camp months later.) Mungavin was injured and unconscious from Mar 03 to 20, 1945. I'm trying to find any records of his hospitalization and (other) POW imprisonment. He asserts that "the co-pilot's body was recovered in Holland." I'm trying to figure out HOW he can assert that. I'm trying to find an ACTUAL crash site- if "Hildesheim" is a supposition. I was in contact with John Ramsey in 2010 and let the time slip away. He died only recently in Dec 2011. This is a painful reminder that we don't have much time to contact remaining Greatest Generation friends. I'm also trying to get supporting information to correct Mungavin's "KIA 03 Mar 1945" on the MACR. Ramsey's letter has him catching Mungavin "on one of his cross-country travels. Meeting him was a pleasure." Very glad this veteran lived a much longer, and happier, life.
Thanks to all trying to remember and tell the stories of these heroes.
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MB0427
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Ed,
I'm unsure how much help the museum can be for what you are looking for. The AFHRA and NARA may be your best sources. There are many knowledgable people on this site both here and overseas who can help now that it is known what info you are seeking.
Regards, Marc
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Reno Ed
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Thanks again. What is making me focus on the Museum is that John O Ramsey donated some memorabilia and papers to the museum, that is termed the John O Ramsey Collection. Lt Col Ramsey was a prolific (good news/bad news) correspondent and researcher. His search for Thomas was a important factor in his life and having the good fortune to connect with Mungavin should have resulted in some additional letters or newspaper stories.
Seeing what this week brings.
Thanks again- Ed
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DevilDog165
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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I am not sure if I can help, but will provide any info I can. I am Michael Mungavin and Francis Mungavin is my Grandfather. I can verify that he did indeed survive the crash. I would have told you to contact my uncle, Col. Francis Michael Mungavin, as he lived in Warner Robbins, Ga. But he moved about a year ago, and a few months ago his son moved as well; so there are no more Mungavin's left down there to help in your research. Good luck I look forward to hearing more.
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shooshoobaby
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Ed -
If the B-17 did crash in Holland and Lt. Thomas's Body
was recovered there , there are some Folks on this
Forum in Holland that may be able to help.
Keep checking back.
Mike
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Lucky Partners
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Ed,
I'm not sure I'm reading your post correctly. You are looking for the disposition of the body of Lt William H Thomas, Jr, is that correct? Research by Forum member Randy Watkins (Group Burials) states that Thomas survived the incident of March 3, 1945. Would appreciate if you would clarify just what you are looking for.
Additional: the ABMC does not list anyone of this name buried in an overseas cemetery or on a Wall of the Missing anywhere. The VA does list a Lt William H. Thomas, Jr who served in the AAF buried in New Hampshire. His date of birth was March 4, 1924.
Hal
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Reno Ed
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Hal- Thanks for your note. 2nd Lt William Henry Thomas , Jr (10 Nov 1923) flying in 43-39050 is the object of my search. I would be VERY interested in the info suggesting his survival! (some of the research regarding that day has shown that ball turret gunner Mungavin was NOT KIA that day, and has a wonderfully extended family today.) I believe "our" Thomas did go down that day. I am particularly trying to find the actual crashsite. From my reading of this forum it seems the German KU reports ended on this very day, and with this very aircraft. I have seen copies of the KU dealing with the capture of Goetschius and Edmonds. It seems the source you mentioned had a connection with Graves Registration. It seems they would be the best source for disposition of the body. "Tommy" was buried at Arlington 6/9/49. It would be very interesting to find out what occurred in those intervening 4 years. Thank you and all the researchers on these forums. Merry Christmas. Ed Powell Chilcoot CA epowellmc@aol.com
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Lucky Partners
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Re:Research at Eighth Air Force Museum?
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Ed, Thanks for the clarification and for supplying his date of birth. Now I have a little better handle on it. Regarding the "intervening 4 years", it is possible that his body was not found until then. My uncle was KIA in 1942 and his remains were not found until 1947. Best bet I can think of is to request a copy of his IDPF, Individual Deceased Personnel File. My uncle's file was 82 pages and provided a considerable amount of information including exactly where his remains were found, what personal effects were with the remains and the means used to identify him. Unfortunately it did not include information about exactly when and how he died. Click the 'Research Help' tab at the top of the page, then click the 'Research Help' tab on the following page. (Don't know why it's a two step process.) Instructions there how to request this file. Three pages from the MACR are attached below, a letter from a surviving crew member and two KU reports. It appears from the first KU report that the Germans did not know where the aircraft crashed, they note 'unknown' and ' probably downed'. If it had crashed near Hildesheim that usually would have been noted in this report. This appears to lend credence to your comment about Holland. In the second KU report info about Thomas is missing which could indicate that he went down with the ship at the 'unknown' location. Hal MODERATOR: This thread probably should be moved to the 493rd Bomb Group
post edited by LUCKY PARTNERS -
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