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Watson Crew R-19 (617) Summary
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The Watson Replacement Crew arrived at North Pickenham during the month of June. Their transfer order was short a navigator. Perhaps he had been pulled for other duty. On 24 Jun 44, they were assigned to fill the vacant spot of Crew 617 in the 856th BS.
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After five short days of in-house training they began flying combat missions. By our count the Watson Crew flew 3 missions plus an aborted one. Aside from not knowing who their navigator was, there was one personnel change on the Crew's roster.
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The final mission for the Watson Crew was on 7 Jul 44. The Group's objective was an aircraft manufacturing facility in Bernburg. The Luftwaffe attacked the 492nd from their behind where they didn't have any fighter protection. The air battle turned into a blood-bath as casualties ran high on both sides. The Watson Crew was knocked out of the action along with nine other ships from the 492nd. 8 KIA, 1 POW, MACR 7236.
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Only two of the dead could be identified for burial. After the war, one of them was reburied in the Netherlands while the other was returned to the US. The rest of the crew was buried as a group. Today that group is buried together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, Missouri.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Watson Crew R-19 (617)
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Watson, Ernest L |
2nd Lt |
O-817307 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Shepherd, Richard P |
2nd Lt |
O-823720 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
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Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Grill, Mark R |
2nd Lt |
O-708877 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Buried in Netherlands, N-16-13 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
McPhillips, Herbert J |
S/Sgt |
31262090 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Buried in the USA |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Cataldo, George S |
S/Sgt |
11115158 |
POW, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Chocklett, Eugene R |
Sgt |
33656133 |
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Gunner
MOS |
Dailey, Bernard W |
Cpl |
33702816 |
Promoted Sgt
MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
Gunner
MOS |
Eason, William W |
Sgt |
34767010 |
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
Gunner
MOS |
Bowen, Leslie K |
Cpl |
33702585 |
Promoted Sgt
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
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Others Who Flew with Watson Crew R-19 (617)
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Gunner
MOS 748 |
Wells, Grant L |
S/Sgt |
39832925 |
From the Bowland Crew R-11
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7236
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery |
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Watson Crew R-19 (617)
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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29 Jun 44 |
42-110148 |
Magdeburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft Industry |
| 02 |
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4 Jul 44 |
42-95215 |
Beaumont-le-Roger, France |
Target: Airfield |
| Abort |
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6 Jul 44 |
44-40086 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Shipyard
Aborted, uncredited |
| 03 |
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7 Jul 44 |
42-95005 |
Bernburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft manufacturing
A/C borrowed from 859th BS
Lost: 8 KIA, 1 POW, MACR 7236 |
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