Guestbook

If you knew my dad Michael Mike or Mickey Horban in Alconbury in 1944-1945 pleas contact me.

IKH@oigp.net

My dad Michael Kenneth Horban was stationed in Alconbury in 1944-1945 in the 814th. He is interested in contacting any surviving members. I was born in St Neots near Alconbury in Dec of 1945.
Ivan

Just found father's "report of separation". He was with 482nd. He told me once that he had radar and a black B-17 that did night flights, but I recall seeing several photos taken during the day and I think that may have told me they were Berlin. Name was Lt. A.C. Breckenridge and this report says he had 3 bronze stars. Curious how I might find more information?

My father was a navigator in the 813th Bomb Squadron, 482nd Bombardment group, and flew 13 missions out of Alconbury near Peterborough, England.

Col. Howard Moore wrote a very excellent hostory of the Operatinal Period of the 482nd 20 August 1943- 31 March 1944. He reports there on p. 16 that on 1/11/44 the group lost its first plane, piloted by Lt. James J. Maginnis, "last seen going down approximately four minuites after bombs were dropped on Halberstadt. S/Sgt. Euian Mills survived that loss. He reported the plane going down in the Zuider Zee, on the coast of Holland. That was confirmed in 1967-68 when the plane, #42-3486, was recovered in that locaion by the Dutch. A small point but worth noting for future reference.

Bill - Your family is very proud of you.

In memory of my father Vernon Francis Michaud who proudly served so I have the freedom I enjoy today. Thank you to all who served in he 482nd!

looking for information on the b17 carolina boomerang flown by mcrae and wiley already heard from moore

A very interesting and informative web site.

Saw a message concerning the family of Clarence Blevins. He served with my dad Lt. James J. Moore on a B17 called the Carolina Boomerang III. I saw a reference that he was listed as missing in action in a newspaper article. I have several pictures of the crew. I know that he was a friend of my Dad's

Was Stationed at Raf Alconbury 30 years later

My father in-law is Oscar Williams, age 86. Oscar served in the 813th Sq. Station 102 Alconbury, UK from Oct. ’43 to May ’45. He is pictured in the photo gallery, including a picture with his original crew at Langley Field, VA while in route to assignment in England.

Oscar was detached and assigned to radar training at Station 102 Alconbury, UK and the remainder of the original crew was assigned to another station. They were subsequently reported lost over Normandy on D-Day.

His second crew [Feb 1944 to May 1945] included:

Capt Everett Dickey, Pilot, Indianapolis, IN
2nd Lt John Bluford, Co-pilot, Maryville, TN
1st Lt Charles Crabtree, Bombardier, Sidney, MT
Sgt Ernest Kernodle, Engineer, Candale, AZ
Sgt Charles Moog, Radio operator, Staten Island, NY
No regular gunners assigned – different personnel each mission

Oscar logged 20 missions during is tour of duty at Alconbury.

After the war, in 1945, he joined the 119th TAC Sq. TN Air National Guard [a newly created unit] located in Alcoa, TN, adjacent to the Knoxville municipal airport, where he served until retirement in 1964 at the rank of Major. Oscar was briefly unit commander when the 119th was called to active duty during the Korean conflict in 1953. During this time the unit personnel were deployed to Otis Air Force Base, MA. He remained in command after the conclusion of the Korean conflict, until the unit was reorganized under TN State control.

Oscar received the following awards and citations during his active duty status:

Bronze Star to EAME ribbon per WD GO#75 – Air Offensive Europe 14 Feb 1944
Air Medal – Aug 1944 [six sorties] GO#61 8AFCC
Bronze Star to EAME ribbon per WD GO#80 – Normandy 2 Feb 1945
Oak Leaf Cluster – March 1945 [six sorties] GO#214 1st AD
Bronze Star to EAME ribbon per WD GO#80 – Northern France 30 Mar 1945
Oak Leaf Cluster – April 1945 [six sorties] GO#360 1st AD

He is currently a resident of Jasper, GA, a foothills community located in the North Georgia Mountains. He is accompanied there by his three daughters and a son who lives in Forsyth county GA. The love of his life, Myrtle Howard Williams was taken to the hear-after in August of 2005.

His family is very proud of his service and grateful to all the Airmen, Sailors, Marines and GIs who placed themselves in harms way to secure our freedom.

Thank you, John for all your work and devotion to this site. We must never forget what these brave men did for us.

Paul F. Goldstein
Jasper, GA
paul.f.goldstein@mail.com

Thak you for all you have done.

My wife is Al Browns niece & her mother is the sister of Als wife Virginia. Unfortunately Al & Virginia passed away in the last few years. I flew in Southeast Asia with the Tactical Air Command therefore Al & I had many things in common. Quite a few war stories were traded when we got together.I knew Al for many years, would visit with Al & Virginia as they lived in Florida & they were always in my trip itinerary. He was a gentleman & a true patriot. He loved the Air Force & everything it stands for and he will be missed greatly.

My uncle was Capt Joe Avendano and served as the 482nd BG 814th sq Operations Officer in late 1943-1944. He was an original Pilot with the first B-24 93rd BG that started his first tour of duty at Alconbury Aerodrome Sept.1942. He
would complete #30 combat missions with the low level Ploesti mission 8/1/43 being his 29th. Uncle Joe was lost on a night time test flight accident Jan.23,1944
Thank you for keeping our History alive
Joe Avendano Duran
Nephew of Capt Joe Avendano

My father, Sgt Glenn A. McNab, from Clovis, CA., was in the 482nd Bomb Gp. at Alconbury, and served as a crew chief on, I believe, both B-17 and B-24 Pathfinder aircraft. If anyone knew or knew of my father, please contact me. My email is: mcnab320@hotmail.com

Thank you very much.

Hello,
I am looking for information on my great uncle James Norwood Taylor, 1st Lt, Pilot. My uncle flew with the 814th in a B-24 and was KIA in early 1944. He was also involved in an accident when his plane and another B-24 from the 392nd collided in mid-air over england in Jan. 1944. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Marc Taylor
marctaylor.la@verizon.net

I've used some of your data and combined it with original group photos from RAF Alconbury. These will be on display for our young Airmen to view and learn from our precessors. Thank you for putting this site together and sharing Air Force heritage! - MSgt Allen, USAF

Seeking information about any crew members of 42-3486 lost over Holland 1/11/44, especially survivors Raymond Rajala and William A. Glenn. My father in law was SSgt. Euian Mills, who also survived. Would appreciate locating family members of other crew as well- J. McGinnis, Roy Peterson, Clarence Blevins, John O'Brien, George Wylie, Joseph P. Keane.

A sincere salute to all those who served to achieve the freedom we enjoy today..
I was 7 years of age when I picked up an old book from a box full of trash in some dump in Mexico, the book had been wet and wrinkled, the pages had been stuck together.
I nourished that book and read it back then, I read it again at 14 years of age, then again at 24, then again at 51. I was able to understand English and I undestood about America and I'ts sacrifice to become what It is today.
Eduard Jablonski's "Flying Fortress", was the book.
Thanks for letting me share....Great Site !!