Good Afternoon,
 
I am searching for information on this group/squadron and more specifically my Grandfather.  He has been gone my whole life (passed on near my 2nd birthday) but I still want to know him.  So anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Kacey Harlan
TSGT Callahan was my popi

I forgot to add, he was bomb radio operator 757.

Hello Kacey,

I have 4 rolls of microfilmed documents from the 493rd BG.  While they contain monthly Officer Rosters, there is nothing similar for enlisted personnel.  Finding enlisted personnel is more luck than research.  It does help when the pilot's name is known (of the crew he flew with).

In another posting you made, you mentioned that you have his discharge papers.  On what date was he discharged?  The reason I ask is that in mid-February 1945 the 862nd BS was disbanded and its personnel were transferred to other 493rd BG squadrons or to other units outside the 493rd BG.  If his discharge papers were from the 862nd BS that would help me with where to look on the microfilm.
 
I did go through the daily reports for February 1945 specifically looking for the orders transferring 862nd BS personnel.  I did not see your grandfather's name listed.  Some of those microfilmed pages were in pretty bad shape and are not totally readable.

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 Kacey,
 
I have searched the microfilm for March, April and May to see if I can find your grandfather's name on any of the Special Orders -- no luck.  What does that mean?  Not a whole lot since most of the microfilm consists of operational documents, not administrative.  As I mentioned, finding enlisted personnel is largely luck.
 
I will keep his name on my list of people to look for and will let you know if I find anything.
 
Sorry I wasn't able to help.

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

djschmitt

I am more than grateful for your search.  I do know its tough.  I did search and he was part of the close of the 493rd/862rd but his separation papers say this was his last attachment.  It does have some of the mission locations he flew and his ribbon's there are other groups on there I think as much as I can decipher but I think it was before all this.  I am still having trouble getting more of his military records but I am going to get my dad to help me.  My grandmother has some stuff but she is having a hard time "remembering" where they would be as she is aging.  I appreciate anything I can get and I appreciate you helping me.  Thanks again.  Kacey