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more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286

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marinedad
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more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286

mother in laws 1st husband was kia 2-17-44, 2nd lt. raymond j. vezina-co-pilot. pilot was 2nd lt. harry w. bessler. i understand there were a few survivors, we found a photo of crew and plane recently in her belongings and wondered if survivors or family members would like a copy, or if anywone out there could identify crew of 10. also were they part of operation shingle? where did they take off from? any books about mission, would like to learn more as wifes mom passed away recently and never talked about ray's untimely death.
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    djschmitt
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    Re:more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286 (permalink)
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    Here is what I have found.

    B-24H 42-52286 was attached to the 15th AF, 456th BS, 747th BS.  They departed from Stornara Field.  I don't know whether they flew alone or were part of a larger formation.  The crash occurred on 17 Feb 1944 at 1100 near the target (Grottaferrata, Italy).

    The crew on this mission included:

    2nd LT Harry W. Bessler, 0747193, pilot (presumed dead)
    2nd LT Raymond J. Vezina, 0811472, co-pilot (presumed dead)
    2nd LT Henry E. Znachlag, 0692114, navigator (presumed dead)
    2nd LT Kenneth W. Davenport, 0747990, bombardier (presumed dead)
    T/Sgt Jesse Bradburn, 16013261, engineer (evacuated to US)
    T/Sgt John T. Austino, 13154167, radio operator (killed in action)
    S/Sgt Harold L. Thomas, 37138003, top turret gunner (evacuated to US)
    Sgt Phillip S. Nelson, 17111106, nose gunner (presumed dead)
    Sgt Harold C. Lewis, 11133503, tail gunner (evacuated to US)
    Sgt Joseph Millman, 32222070, ball turret gunner (evacuated to US)

    Hope this helps.



    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
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    jerry vezina
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    Re:more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286 (permalink)
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    Mark,
    I am Raymonds 1st cousin and would as you know more about his disappearance.There was a survivor from his crew that told a story of the plane and its disappearance or destruction.After the war he came to see Jane and some members of our family and related these happeningsThe plane was flying a mission and was struck by heavy aircraft,killing the pilot and killing and wounding most of the crew.Raymond was not wounded and flew the plane until it was evident they would have to abandond it.Raymond opened the bombay door and proceeded in evacuating the crew whether they were alive or dead.The crew member telling this story was badly wounded and being the last to evacuate looked up and swore he saw anothed chute and Raymond being the last person aboard he assumed it was Raymond.This crewman was captured by the Germans given medical help and was released after the war ended.
    I loved Raymond as many of us did for his smile love of his wife and the happiness he brought to all of us.He always reminded me of Jimmy Stewarts casual ways.You would have been proud to have known him.
    Please reply with your email address and ameans of contacting you.Tell your wife Gil (champ lives by me) in Naples Florida.

    Jerry Vezina
    239 304 0707
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    marinedad
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    Re:more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286 (permalink)
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    hi jerry,
    i'm so glad to have found a relative of rays, i have been trying to piece together info about ray. jane passed away in july, she was living at our home for about a month before her death. she was 90, and an inspiration to us all. i was trying to find more info about ray, but the untimely death of ray still was too painfull even after all these years,as she didn't want to talk about it. as we went thru her belongings i found a little more info including a photo of the plane and i assume the crew of 10 including ray. i would be willing to share any info with you before i give all research to donna ray, rays daughter, who now lives in cal. you probably know jane remarried, her and bill had 5 children, i am married to theresa, janes youngest daughter. my name is mark lightfoot e-mail is marinedad6@verizon.net janes 2nd husband william biewenga, passed away when my wife was 8 so i never knew ray or bill, but i'm trying to find more about ray and bill during the war.      
                             feel free to contact me mark lightfoot.
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    Terry T.
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    Re:more info about blaizin charlotte-ac#42-52286 (permalink)
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    Might try reviewing the missing aircraft report & associated pages..
    MACR #6330
    42-52286
    http://www.footnote.com/image/29401934/#29401934
     
    footnote has the MACR #listed wrong, they show 3078
     MACR stated attacked by fighters, & was seen going down in a spiral, with no chutes observed, crashed & expoded upon impact.
     
    Terry T. 
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