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king for Information about my Grandfather

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DBellerose
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king for Information about my Grandfather

I have recently been doing our family tree and have found many photos of my grandfathers from World War II and would like to find out more about his service.
 
His name was James J McGillion "Jamesie"
He served in the 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
 
I know he was in Alexandria Louisianna before going over seas.  He was also invloved in the operation in Potlav, Russia in June 1944
The 1 crew photo I have found with names lists his crew mates as:
 
Bob Atwood - Pilot
Dick Young - Co-Pilot
Frank LaFountaine - Bombadier
Don Traphagen - Engineer
James McGillion - Radio Operator
Harry Jeranian - Ball Gunner
Phil Imes - Waist Gunner
Bill Zunic - Waist Gunner
Tommy Stawecki - Tail Gunner
 
I attached the phot below - my grandfather is the 2nd from the left standing in the back.
 
I know he flew on a B-17 Flying Fortress - but which plane I do not know
Any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank You
Dawn
 
 

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    xdod
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    Re:king for Information about my Grandfather (permalink)
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    I only found mostly what you already have in your post. The book Snetterton Falcons II list the following crew under New Crews Assigned May 1944 (to Snetterton, England). There is an additional name (Roy H Lang) and some middle initials. In the book Lang is listed as the Navigator.   I noticed in your photo there are nine crewmember. Also a listing for an Engineer and no Top Turret Gunner or Navigator. Most mission crew list I have seen usually listed a top turret gunner instead of an Engineer.  TT Gunners are usually Non Commision . Which would lead me to believe that Traphagen would have been the Top Turret Gunner and Lang may have been this crews Navigator.  This part is just my opinion. Hopefully other members of this forum can give you more accurate information.
     
    Crew GG 13 337 Sqdn
    2Lt Robert E Atwood   Pilot
    2Lt Richard B Young    Co-Pilot
    2Lt Roy H Lang     Navigator
    2Lt Frank B LaFontaine    Bombardier
    S/Sgt James J McGillon  
    S/Sgt Don D Traphagen
    Sgt Phillip H Imes
    Sgt Harry Jeranien
    Sgt Thomas A Stawocki
    Sgt William J Zunie
     
    Berk
    post edited by xdod -
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    DBellerose
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    Re:king for Information about my Grandfather (permalink)
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    Thanks very much....my grandfather died in 1952 and I really know nothing of his military service except for all the photos I have.  Alot of photos from Russia and the bombed f_17's - and photos of him and the guys he hung out with in Alexandria, LA in 1944/ Scottsfield in 1943 and one or two photos from other places.  I have copies of 2 V-mails he sent his sister in 1944 - one from Snetterton and the other form "somewhere in Russia"
    which we later found out to be Poltava, Russia.
     
    Thanks
    Dawn
    Quote  #3
    shooshoobaby
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    Re:king for Information about my Grandfather (permalink)
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    Dawn -
    If you would like to know more about the Mission -
    Books:
    The Poltava Affair by Glenn Infield
    Fighting with the Soviets by Mark Conversino
    Mike
    Quote  #4
    cykinsella
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    Re:king for Information about my Grandfather (permalink)
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    I am Richard Young's daughter, Cornelia, and I have photos from his time in the service.  I would love to find out any information about missions etc. that my father was involved in.  He passed away in 1999.  Please contact me if you have any information.
    Quote  #5
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