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2 December 1943 History for Month of November The month of November found the members of the Squadron setting up their various departments and getting accustomed to their new home at Hammer Field. The accommodations provided the group were an excellent morale builder after spending a month of “roughing it” in tents at Wendover Field, Utah. The Group was welcomed into the Fourth Air Force by Brig. General Connell, Commanding General of the Fourth Bomber Command. Following his speech, Colonel Glantzberg, 461st Group Commanding Officer, introduced the members of his Headquarters Staff and the Squadron Commanders of each Squadron to the men. Shortly after our arrival here, the second phase of our training got under way. The planes and their crews started bombing missions; men attended lectures and qualified on the firing range. Every man went over the infiltration course where they simulated real combat by having dummy bombs explode around them and fired live ammunition above their heads. There was a large increase in the personnel and combat crews for the month of November. At the beginning of the month we found 308 officers and enlisted men and 13 combat crews. At the end of the month we had 492 officers and enlisted men and 18 combat crews. Early in the month we found the members of the Squadron mourning the death of little “redline”, the Squadron mascot, who was killed by a truck. During his two short months of life, “Redline” had become endeared to every member of the organization. Twice during the month we found a change in Squadron Commanders and Operations Officers. 1st Lt. Sandall was replaced by Major Yurkanis as Squadron Commander while Captain Briggs replaced 1st Lt. Smith as Operations Officers. Later in the month Major Yurkanis was replaced by 1st Lt. Book as Squadron Commander and 1st Lt. Smith replaced Captain Briggs as Operations Officer. The Squadron participated in Group reviews and inspections every week. The officers and men dressed in their best uniforms and made a proud appearance for the organization. Toward the end of the month a marked improvement was noted in the personal appearance of the men. The 22nd of November was a day of great sorrow throughout the Squadron, when it mourned the death of 2nd Lt. Edward J. Drucker, killed when one of our planes crashed near Tonopah, Nevada. 2nd Lt. Reginold Tribe, pilot of the ship, is in the hospital with injuries received in the crash. The rest of the crew parachuted to safety. Toward the end of the month the Squadron started making preparations for POE. Men were required to mark all their clothing and have all their records up to date. As we neared our goal, that of actual combat with our common enemies, the high morale of the men was not only noticeable but was felt by everyone.
Summary of Events for the Month of November November 1. Thirty-nine enlisted men returned from furlough. Six officers and fifty enlisted men were assigned to this organization from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. The following officers returned from furlough:
The following officers and four enlisted men returned from detached service at AAB, Fairmont, Nebraska:
There were the following promotions among the enlisted men: Three men promoted to M/Sgt, three men promoted to S/Sgt, nine men promoted to Sgt, and fourteen men promoted to Corporal. November 2. Six enlisted men were assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. 2nd Lt. Robert J. Ambrose and 2nd Lt. John H. Lanigen were assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 3. Group welcomed into the Fourth Air Force by Brig. General Connell. Four officers and six enlisted men assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 4. Four enlisted men returned from furlough. Lt. Case and 2nd Lt. Dubal and eight enlisted men returned from Detached Service at Wendover Field, Utah. Lt. Case transferred to Tenn. November 5. One enlisted man returned from furlough. Fourteen enlisted men were assigned from the 461st Bomb Group Headquarters. One enlisted man assigned from the 764th Squadron and two from the 767th Squadron. One enlisted man transferred to the 767th Squadron. November 6. Nine officers and twenty-two enlisted men were assigned to this organization from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 7. One enlisted man returned from furlough. 2nd Lt. Walter J. Malita was assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. 1st Lt. Murphy returned from Detached Service at March Field, California. November 8. Three enlisted men returned from furlough. 2nd Lts. Specht, Milno, Rapp, F/O Smithkin, and two enlisted men returned from Detached Service at Sioux City, Iowa. November 9. Eight officers and thirteen enlisted men assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 10. Six enlisted men returned from furlough. November 11. One enlisted man assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. One enlisted man from duty to confinement in the guardhouse. One enlisted man from furlough to AWOL. 1st Lt. William F. Foster and four enlisted men went on detached service to Muroc, California. November 12. One enlisted man returned from furlough. One officer and ten enlisted men assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 13. No change in the squadron history. November 14. Six enlisted men assigned from the 461st Group Headquarters. November 15. 1st Lt. William F. Foster and four enlisted men returned from Detached Service at Muroc, California. November 16. 2nd Lt. Shapiro transferred to the 767th Bomb Squadron. 2nd Lt. Simeroth assigned to this organization from the 767th Bomb Squadron. November 17. 1st Lt. Sandall was transferred to AAB, Hamilton Field, California. November 18. F/O Norris was appointed 2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. Norris was assigned to this organization. One enlisted man transferred to the 458th Bomb Group, Tonopah, Nevada. Eighteen Navigation Officers left for Detached Service at Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California. F/O Smithkin from duty to DS at Griffith Observatory. November 19. No change in Squadron history today. November 20. One enlisted man to DS at San Francisco, Calif. November 21. One enlisted man tried and convicted of the 65th Article of War, and reduced to the grade of private. Two enlisted men transferred to AAB, March Field, California. Five enlisted men assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 22. Lt. E. J. Drucker killed in a plane crash near Tonopah, Nevada. The following officers returned from DS at Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California:
November 23. Major Yurkanis and Captain Briggs transferred to Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. 1st Lt. William J. Bock assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group, to assume duties as acting Squadron Commander. One enlisted man transferred to FAFRD Detachment # 10, Hammer Field, California. November 24. No change in Squadron history today. November 25. One enlisted man transferred to 458th Bomb Group, Tonopah, Nevada. 1st Lt. Nathan promoted to Captain, effective 17 November 1943. 2nd Lt. Lanigan from duty to Tonopah, Nevada to accompany the remains of 2nd Lt. E. J. Dricker to New York City, N.Y. November 26. Captain Rainen given additional duty of Censorship Control Officer. 2nd Lt. Campo, duty changed from 7562 to 1042. 2nd Lt. Troy D. Dandy assigned from Headquarters 461st Bomb Gp. 2nd Lt. Kaufman from duty to 8-day leave. 2nd Lt. Dawson transferred to 764th Bomb Squadron. Lt. Nixon assigned to this Squadron. November 27. One enlisted man transferred to 765th Bomb Squadron. Two enlisted men transferred to the 766th Bomb Squadron. F/O Dunn transferred to 767th Bomb Squadron. Captain Rainen released of duty as Censorship Control Officer. 1st Lt. William F. Foster, 2nd Lt. Willie M. Platt, and 2nd Lt. Humm assigned at Security and Unit Censorship Officers in addition to their other duties. 2nd Lt. Gromm assigned from this squadron to 767th Bomb Squadron. One enlisted man assigned to this squadron from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. November 28. No change in the Squadron history today. November 29. One enlisted man returned from furlough. November 30. Two enlisted men assigned from Headquarters, 461st Bomb Group. |
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