NASCARon
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Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
My uncle was James Tate. He went down in a B-17 during WWII. How would I go about finding out what unit and what aircraft he flew in?
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Ron,
Came across several men named James Tate, do you have a middle initial for him? Do you have an approximate date and/or location where his plane went down? You are asking for his unit but yet posted this in the forum for the 34th Bomb Group, was he with the 34th and you're looking for his Squadron? Or are you not sure of his Group? Found a Joseph Tate in the 34th but not a James Tate.
Hal
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Hal
I don't know what unit he was in. Here is the information I have:
JAMES F. TATE, S SG
ID#33678971
DATE OF ENLISTMENT: April 20, 1943
DATE OF DEATH (KIA): January 6, 1945
HOMETOWN: Allegheny County, PA
Before they died, my grandmother (his mother) told me that he was a Top Turret Gunner and a Flight Engineer. I'm not sure how accurate that is though. I also know where he is buried and have a picture of his grave marker. He is buried with RAYMOND J. VON BOKEL who died the same day so I assume he might have been a fellow aircrew in the same B-17 my uncle was in when it went down.
I'm trying to find out what unit and if possible what aircraft. I'm also going to try to find out if there is anyone still alive from his unit or base. The reason I posted here is that I found that the 34th BG (391st BS) had a B-17 (42-30120) crash on January 6, 1945.
This is just a starting point since I also found other B-17s from other units that went down on the same day. One from the 94th BG (410th BS) and another from the 447th BG (708th BS). I'm sure there were others but this is what I've found so far.
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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OK Ron, found him. He was with the 94th Bomb Group, 410th Squadron and was aboard 42-97082 when she went down.
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Hal
How did you find that? Can you share?
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Lucky Partners
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Ron,
I have access to a database of more than 100,000 names that was painstakingly assembled by forum member Randy Watkins. I re-sorted that database in date order to simplify the search.
By the way, the B-17 was named Mission Mistress and according to the information on the 94th BG web site she crashed on takeoff.
According to Randy's database four crewmen survived the crash, Sgt Ony Carrico, ball turret gunner, 2Lt Robert Duran, co-pilot, Sgt Cecil Schermerhorn, tail gunner, and Sgt Nicholas Urda, waist gunner. Your uncle is buried at the Zachery Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, KY
Hal
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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I found the aircraft 42-97082 on the 94th BG website:
http://94thbombgroup.com/94thB-16.htm but it shows that it was in the 333rd Squadron. I did not find my uncles name on the site though.
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Is there anyway to get the nose art from the Mission Mistress?
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Lucky Partners
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Yes, I noticed the difference in Squadron also. Don't have the answer for that. Also cannot find a Missing Air Crew Report, probably isn't one since they crashed on takeoff. Look for an Accident Report for further details. Also see my comments above. Check this link for the Accident Report: http://www.aviationarchae...2-97082&Submit4=Go
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Hal
I thank you so much. You have brought me closer than ever. Am I able to see the database you have access to?
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Ron,
I suggest you use our PM system to send a message to Forum member Randy Watkins who posts under the name Group Burials. Look Randy up using the Member List tab at the top of the page. Randy put a heck of a lot of work into this database so he should be the one to share it. Note that I mistakenly identified the source as RSWANK in my earlier post, apologies to Randy for that slip up.
Hal
Note to Forum Moderator: Please move this thread to the 94th Bomb Group.
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MB0427
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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He was indeed in the 94th BG. They lost an engine on take off and crashed in a tree area just off base just missing a farm and some houses. Go to the 94th BG thread and search the thread by the name and serial number and there is info. Also I have a photo of "Mission Mistress" in my member photo album on the 94th BG on this site with Lt. John Mitchell. There is a member of this site (CA) who is no longer active who started researching "Mission Mistress" because it crashed in the area of his mom's house. He knows more about the A/C than anyone. His name is Chris Argent and he is on Facebook. If you "friend" him about "Mission Mistress" maybe he will get back to you. Also there is a 94th BG Facebook forum. I should have a crew arrival document for the crew to the 94th which I can post. I will check and see. Regards, Marc
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MB0427
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Oops I guess there is not much info on the 94th thread. I do have a couple photos of the crash site and a couple more of the A/C which I will have to locate. Chris Argent is the one to try to get info from. Regards, Marc
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Marc,
For the longest time I had regular correspondence with Chris Argent then one day we lost contact and I have been unable to re-establish. I agree that he had an extensive collection of 94th BG info. Hopefully Ron will be able to make contact via Facebook. I don't use that service so it's not an option for me. Thanks for your confirmation of Tate's connection with the 94th.
Hal
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Hal Thanks so much for the information. I've pm'd Randy (Group Burials) for more information. MB0427 I found the pic of Mission Mistress on your profile. Thanks so much. I can't find Chris Argent on facebook. I guess I'd need more info since there are many with that name. Do you have more info on him such as his location... etc.? I'd really like to get in touch with him since he has information about my uncle's aircraft. If you have any pictures or other information, please don't hesitate to send them to me at tina.ron@live.com God Bless Ron
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MB0427
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Ron, The Chris Argent you want--profile photo is with a blonde lady. He's wearing a white shirt and red tie. Good luck! More later. Regards, Marc
post edited by MB0427 -
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NASCARon
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Re:Trying to find my uncle's B-17 Unit
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Marc
I found him on facebook and have sent a message. I hope he is receptive
Thanks and God Bless
Ron
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