AVIATORS
6th Bomb Group
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Lieutenant Robert Hamblett Crowther (front row, right)
Radarman/Navigator/Bombardier, B-29 6th Bomb Group, 39th Bomb Squadron Stationed on Tinian Island; 15 combat missions |
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My father was a B-29 radarman in WWII. He flew 15 combat missions during the last months of WWII
with the 6th Bomb Group which was based on Tinian Island.
They flew 15 hour bombing and mining missions against Japan
which helped end the war without the need for a costly ground invasion of Japan. 6th Bomb Group |
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VC-27
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William Patrick Simmons (1924-1996)
Aviation Radioman Third Class, TBM VC27 "The Saints" Assigned to USS Savo Island; 29 combat missions |
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My father-in-law was a radioman/gunner on a TBM and flew several combat missions with VC-27 (the "Saints")
which was assigned to the Escort Carrier "Savo Island" (CV-76) from Sep 1944 to Jan 1945.
They participated in the invasion of the Philippines, including the historic Battle Off Samar,
and were the highest scoring CV squadron with over 60 kills. VC27 |
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Allied Expeditionary Force
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Captain Vernon Henry Simmons (1893-1968)
Flight Instructor Third Aviation Instruction Center A.E.F Stationed in France |
| My grandfather-in-law was a graduate of Friends University and captain of the football team. He volunteered to join the Allied Expeditionary Force and was stationed in Europe as an instructor pilot. After returning, he was a founding member of the Wichita Aero Club. | |
101st Airborne
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Private Daniel Hamblett "Danny" Russo (1925-1944)
Paratrooper 101st Airborne, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment KIA "Operation Market Garden" |
| My cousin volunteered to join the 101st Airborne Division immediately after graduating from high school (if not sooner). He was killed on his first combat drop into the Netherlands during operation "Market Garden". He died only a few days short of his 19th birthday. | |