I have just recently completed transcribing all the loading lists for my father's squadron (596th BS / 397th BG) from the microfiche images at AFHRA to an EXCEL spreadsheet.  This covers missions from April 20, 1944 to April 20, 1945, 239 missions.  I can state definitely that many men flew under the rank of SGT.  Of course, you had those who were SGT. or above, and for one reason or another, were demoted for a period of time.  But, also, there were many examples of crewmen that either never attained the SGT. rank, or took quite a few missions to do so.

Don Hoch, son of 1st Lt. Sterling P. Hoch (397BG/596BS)

ORIGINAL: Hochie

   I can state definitely that many men flew under the rank of SGT.  Of course, you had those who were SGT. or above, and for one reason or another, were demoted for a period of time.  But, also, there were many examples of crewmen that either never attained the SGT. rank, or took quite a few missions to do so.

 
Don,
Could the fact that the 397th was a Medium Bomber group have anything to do with the rank attainment differences?  I can't understand why that would make a dirrerence, but maybe it did.

Bob Gilbert
Ball Turret Gunner, Goldin crew
381st Bomb Gp., 533rd Bomb Sq.
US 8th Air Force

Bob,
     I'm sure that there were many differences in how things were handled for a Heavy group vs. a Medium group.  Obviously, they flew different types of missions, for the most part.   Maybe since my father's group came to the ETO in April 1944, maybe some of the earlier issues were no longer as important.  But I would assume in large part that many of these types of things (promotions and decoration policy, for instance) were up to the discretion of the group, wing, or Air Force command.  I have seen in the monthly history reports for my father's squadron that only a total of 11 DFCs were awarded to pilots in the 596th, for flying 239 missions with the group.  But that was how his group operated.

Don Hoch, son of 1st Lt. Sterling P. Hoch (397BG/596BS)

my email is lindaparsons2003@yahoo.com, can you please email  so i can ask a bunch of questions about gunners and there job, and how to find out what squadrom they were in other than 15th, like which planes flew from certain times and missions... sincerely and Thank you so much for your time... Linda

[What I don't know is where he was mid to late 1944.     ...  but was then transfered to B-29 duty


Just a thought, but if he went through B-29 gunnery and especially if he was an instructor, I would bet that at some point he went through Lowry Field.  For quite some time that was where all B-29 gunnery training was held.
Regards,
Hugh 

"Swords Forever"