Hello Bob,
My name is Robert Hostetter. My grand father ( On my fathers side) was a rear turret gunner in B-24 from the 304th wing, 455th BG, 742 squadren durring the same period. His name was Ralph L. Hostetter, I heard he may have had a nickname of "Snuffy". He has passed away a few years ago, and I am desperatly trying to find some information and or photos of him. Most all of his belongings burned in a house fire after the war so We are left with no info, and only 1 photo, and he wasn't to much for talking. I have not been able to find much on the 455th 742 BS until now. It would mean the world to my father and I if you could help us out with any thing.
Some info : Name Ralph L. Hostetter, between 10-15-43(Inlistment Date) and 10-11-45,(I believe POW Release Date) His Pilots name was Hogan (possibly) No nose art on the plane per request of the pilot, based at San Giovanie Italy, 304th Wing,455thBG, 742BS, His Plane flew in the same box with A plane called Heaven Can Wait. After flying his required missions, he flew spare for another crew and went down after the third mission. Ran out of fuel and dithched ( I believe, in the Adriatic Sea ). He was picked up by Sweedish Patrol and spent the remainder of the war in a camp.
Thanks,
Robert Hostetter, CA
robo1945@yahoo.com

Hi Robert,
 
Here's a link to a picture of your grandfather and his pilot in front of "Swamp Angel" on B-24 Best Web: http://www.b24bestweb.com/swampangel-v2-2.htm
 
He was flying on B-24L S/N 44-49928 on 27 Feb 45 when the aircraft was damaged by flak and flew to Switzerland.  Missing Aircrew Report (MACR) number 12481 should have more information on the loss of the aircraft (I sent you an E-Mail with additional information).   I don't show that particular aircraft as having ditched.  It landed at Dubendorf, Switzerland, and was returned after the war.  There is a photograph of the tail on the Swiss Internees WebSite:
 
http://swissinternees.tripod.com/44-49928.jpg
 
I think I may have more on the crew and the mission.  It was the second time the crew your grandfather was with was shot down.  I'll check and send it via E-Mail.
 
More to follow,
 
Dave
 
 

Gabor,
If you dont recieve any photos, I have two, but would have to make copies and send them postal mail.If interested PM mail me your address via this forum. Do not post it here. I dont know if you live in Hungary or US, it dont matter. The one photo is left side view of YO Yo #441199 and the other, no name right side, #278458.
Szivesen, 

Just some additional info:  44-49928 had battle number black '55' without any nose art.  (For the modeller folks... )
 
Gabor

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but here goes...
 
I have recently found a B/W glossy crew photograph with the words " 455th Bomb Group
742nd Bomb Squadron"  on the back. The photgraph has a signature for each person
The only signature I can make out for sure is above the third person standing left to right.
The signature is:  " Karl Anderson- Kansas City- Kansas ".
I'd be guessing on the other signatures.
The nearest other one I can make out is:  " Bill Doyle (???)- Brooklyn N. Y. "
 
The Date  "1945" appears on the front top left corner.
 
The crew is in front of an airplane but I see no nose art or other identifying words.
 
Can anybody help me identify the crew/airplane or anything?
 
Thanx,
 
          Allison

I checked the Missing Aircrew and Accident reports, but I couldn't find anything.  Are you sure it was France?  It's possible that there may not be a report if the crew was repatriated shortly after the loss.  I do have a photo of him if you are interested.  Unfortunately, there is no nose art or other aircraft identification in the picture.  Let me know if you'd like to see it.

Dave

Standing (L-R)
2nd Lt Alden W. Heighton
2nd Lt Leonard M. Beckmann
2nd Lt George W. Underwood
2nd Lt Pat S. Clear


Kneeling (L-R)
Sgt Gerald D. Friend
Sgt Joseph L. Raimondi
Sgt John D. Tolbert
Sgt Rex M. Handy
Sgt Ralph R. Reinl
Sgt Everett J. Johnston

I am trying to find anyone who has any connection to the men in the Lucky Babe photo link:http://www.b24bestweb.com/luckybabe1.htm .
My Uncle was Harold Viken nose gunner and was killed in August of 1944 when his plane went down. He is the one standing on the far right, and the other men are listed below.
We have a letter that states Harold jumped from the plane as it was going down, but was never seen again. There were I believe 3 survivors and 4 killed that day. Harold's remains were found a few years later. 
Please contact me if you know anything about this mission, or how I can find out how exactly my uncle was killed.
 
PS His death in 1944, is still felt today, and although he died at 21, his memory is still kept very much alive. I want to share what I can about him with my children.
 
I can be reached at jlang@hudsonvalleycd.com
 
Jay Lang