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418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 4:48PM GMT
Classification: Query
After visiting my Dad for Christmas, he sent home with me TONS of information and pictures that were his Dad's. His Dad was in the 418th Night Fighter Squadron. I have approximately 2 years of detailed accounts written in book form from the dates "(1 April 1943)" clear through to "(1-31 July 1945). Included in this account are stories of victories during fights, how and when soldiers died, transfers of soldiers due to illnesses, or other Squadrons needing help.
The pictures I have are of many, many different things. Pictures of soldiers along side their aircraft, in their barracks, or feeding the puppies they adopted. I am working to try to piece together who the people in the pictures are, but it's going to be a very, very long process. I also have negatives of all the photos I have and would love to be able to make reprints to send to any family members that would like to have them if they recognize their family member in these photos.

Please let me know if you have a family member in the 418th Night Fighter Squadron. I have a "Roster of Squadron Personnel Aboard U.S.S. General John Pope Sailing 1526 Hours, 6 October, 1943 From Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation. Listed are 6 "flights" of personnel. I will list these names very soon. Along with the names are the ranks, and position these soldiers held, as well as their ID number.

I hope this information will help someone find family members or offer more information about their loved ones that served in WWII
Attachments:

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 5:14PM GMT
Classification: Query
Names on the Roster:

Capt. Edward L. Holsten, O-917344 Intelligence Officer
Jack L. Powell, O-915655 Executive Officer
Rowland H. Robertson, O-482794 Flight Surgeon
Carroll C. Smith, O-418144 Commanding Officer
1 Lt. Norbert J. De Boer, O-574380 Adjutant
Ronald H. Ehmke, O-574495 Statistical Officer*
Roland T. Fisher, O-885680 Operations Officer
Leon O. Gunn, O-885480 Flight Commander
2 Lt. Eldon D. Ayers, O-743302 Pilot
Edward E. Craig, O-743420 Pilot
Harry D. Crum, O-746053 Pilot
Richard F. Day, O-885216 Pilot
Raymond L. Duethman, O-530246 Radio Observer
Gilbert P. Eissman,O-740147 Pilot
Richard B. Ferris, Jr., O-460141 Flight Commander
George W. Hopes, O-873261 Weather Officer
Thomas R. Miller, O-743476 Pilot
William F. Ross, O-745943 Pilot
Barney N. Skille, O-740291 Pilot
Albert R. Sorbo, O-740296 Pilot
Robert A. Walters, O-570668 Supply Officer
Harold B. Whittern, O-740320 Pilot
Frank G. Young, O-743558 Pilot
F/O Alexander Bobrowski, T-192523 Radio Observer
Raymond J. Burke, T-192524 Radio Observer
Bunyan A. Crain, T-180080 Radio Observer
Frank M. Dubasik, T-192527 Radio Observer
Elwood H. Gardner, T-180018 Radio Observer
Norman Horowitz, T-180014 Radio Observer
George N. Kerstetter, T-192530 Radio Observer
Fred S. Larkins, T-180011 Radio Observer
Philip B. Porter, T-180059 Radio Observer
Kenneth P. Ritter, T-192538 Radio Observer
Prosper F. Rufer, T-180060 Radio Observer
William F. Sherman, T-192530 Radio Observer

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 5:26PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for your posting. I would like to learn more about the voyage of the USS John Pope AP-110, sailing from the Hampton Roads, VA Port of Embarkation on October 6, 1943. My understanding, via the Panama Canal the USS General John Pope AP-110 arrived at Brisbane, Australia, October 28, 1943.
Have you any other facts as per that specific voyage? Other stops along the way? Other units onboard the USS General John Pope AP-110? Also, any other facts as per sea voyages of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron would be of great interest.

Richard V. Horrell

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 5:35PM GMT
Classification: Query
"First Flight" names on Roster

2 Lt. Charles E. Lalane, Jr., O-575276 Asst. Intelligence O.
1 Sgt Russell H. Hubble, 16006959 First Sergeant
S/Sgt Arthur L. Levy, 39169853 Medical Admin. Spec.
John H. Wainright, 39169853 Intelligence Spec.
Donald C. Westfall, 3537885 Mess Sergeant
Sgt. Donald J. Alexander, 17156845 Cook
William Cervino, 13152041 Cook
Robert E. Geobelt, 37659756 Intelligence Clerk
Mike Liberatore, 32545835 Medical Admin. Spec
Samuel Mazza, 32240811 Cook
Pedro Sanchez, 19057969 Cook
Neil D. Winter, 36559564 Personnel Clerk
Cpl. Warren E. Clackett, 32613069 Intelligence Clerk
Murray H. Fogel, 32716930 Administrative Clerk
Frank J. Gamber, 13053496 Cook
Murry Gershberg, 32704271 Administrative Clerk
Robert P. Heydt, 33370980 Medic
Erich R. Lundstrom, 32507308 Cook
Matthew J. Macugowski, 32550133 Medic
Hugh J. Miller, 34506555 Personnel Clerk
James W. Pilling, 33170380 Cook
Julius J. Toth, 13177441 Cook
Norman F. Berrio, 31230896 Medic
Pfc. Salvatore J. Conti, 32870381 Carpenter
Raymond T. French, 6914612 Sergeant Major
Eugene F. Geraghty, 32607033 Medic
John A. Palcic, 35746532 Medic
Michael A. Tortora, 32811926 Cook
John A. Watson, 32754905 Cook
Pvt. Herschel F. Bowen, 33562624 Basic
Samuel M. Costa, 33439894 Basic
Wallace E. Fassois, 328227780 Basic
Rocco S. Ferrara, 32826588 Basic
Arthur V. Golden, 31315941 Medic
Bernard W. Herbert, 33454729 Basic
Eugene Pennington, 33562482 Messenger
Douglas H. Roark, 35792281 Basic
Belo A. Szobad, 32717741 Basic
Mervin L. Welling, 33561653 Basic
Frederick T. Willis, 33629245 Basic

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 5:38PM GMT
Classification: Query
I forgot to add the * means On Detached Service.

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 6:16PM GMT
Classification: Query
You are very welcome. I knew someone would want to know more about this and I'm happy to give the info!

You are mostly correct. According to the account I have they arrived at Brisbane, Australia, October 29th 1943.

Here is an excerpt from the account I have:

"On 6 October the Squadron entrained at 0730 at Camp Patrick Henry for the seventeen mile trip to Hampton Roads, Port of Embarkation and boarded the recently built troop transport, the U.S.S. General John Pope, of about 22,000 tons. It was cheering to the soldiers to see the Red Cross nurses pass out coffee to all on the docks before boarding the ship, while the band played on.
Our enlisted men were crowded into the bottom bow holds while the officers crowded into what staterooms there were available. Despite the crowded conditions each man had a bunk. All day long a total of approximately 6,000 soldiers flowed onto the boat. At 1528 the ropes were cast off, and we commenced our voyage for a destination which was not revealed until the conclusion of the trip; however, we had a fair idea of the theater in which we would operate as soon as we passed through the Panama Canal. It was claimed that there was some confusion concerning the mines on the approach to the canal and for safety the ship circled three times about the bay before approaching the docks at Cristobal where we spent the night, principally loading peanuts and orange juice. We were allowed to mail letters from this port, but as was expected, no one was able to leave the ship.
On 11 October, at 0600, the U.S.S. General John Pope left the docks and headed through the canal. The whole Squadron thoroughly enjoyed the trip up the three Gatun Locks, through Gatun Lake and down through the Mirafloro Locks, through the Mirafloros Lake to Balbon Harbor and the vast waters of the Pacific.
Another memorable event of our trip across the Pacific ws the initiation of the Polliwogs by the Shellbacks upon crossing the Equator on 13 October. Although we never knew the exact time of the crossing, the celebration lasted three days. As we proceeded across the Pacific it was estimated that our ship covered approximately five hundred miles a day. Clocks were retarded half an hour daily, but the big time jump occurred on 27 October when we crossed the International Date Line and put our clocks ahead twenty-four hours.
One of the greatest hardships was getting only two meals a day, which diet left the troops hungry twenty-four hours daily. Army and navy relations were strained when the navy men daily sat down to a third meal. Between meals the only squadron activities were recognition classes given by Capt. EDWARD L. HOLSTEN, O-917344, our Intelligence Officer, in the enlisted men's mess, principally for the benefit of the newly acquired aerial gunners. The last two weeks of the trip our Squadron furnished the M.P.'s for the trip, each soldier serving four hours on and eight hours off, and our gunners were sufficiently trained in recognition for the Navy to employ them as aircraft and surfacecraft spotters during the period when the ship was passing through dangerous waters. Throughout the voyage the ship traveled without any convoy protection with the exception of an occasional Martin Mariner hovering overhead, since the Navy claimed that the speed of the ship and the considerable armament carried were sufficient protection.
On 29 October we arrived at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. We were all packed and planned to disembark, but to our surprise word came to us to stay on the boat. The ship discharged some troops and naval personnel to Brisbane, took on supplies and cast off again on 30 October. The next stop was Townsville where we lay at anchor for a full day apparently waiting for instructions. On 1 November we again hauled anchor and proceeded to Milno Bay, arriving 2 November. It was understood at this time that we were to proceed to Port Morosby, and accordingly on the night of 4 November, we transferred men and baggage to a Dutch ship, Carl Van Huestz where we soon learned what a comfortable ship the U.S.S. General John Pope had been. Our sleeping quarters consisted of a section of deck approximately four feet by six feet per person where we unrolled our horseshoe packs and enjoyed the ocean breezes despite the hard deck. It was at this time that we had our first taste of jungle rations, the cooking facilities of the ship being inadequate to take care of the troops aboard.
The Van Huestz was a Dutch vessel which prior to the war had been used for carrying cargo and passengers between Hong Kong and Shangai. The crew outside of the commissioned officers was entirely Javanese who proved to be a friendly and hospitable people and unselfish in sharing their beer. We never had a chance to discover how seaworthy or speedy the Van Huestz was because, despite rampant rumor of impending departure, we never did get out of the harbor."


I have 112 pages of "history" about the 418th. It appears that it was intended to be published. Something I may look into.

I have my daughter's geography bee to attend, but when I get back I'll give you further excerpts on where they went and when. I have tons of information about where they went, what they did, the number of air fights, who shot whom, who died and how, who was transferred where and why, etc, etc, etc.

I really hope someone can identify some of the people in these photos so I can get them to their families. I don't know who wrote the account that I have. I don't think it was my grandfather as the dates he was in the military and the dates of this account don't line up.

More soon...

Angela Heili

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 6:21PM GMT
Classification: Query
What treasures you have. Thanks for sharing!!! Write a book in order to share the history of the unit? History shouldn't be lost. Just an idea even though it may be a monumental task.

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 8:03PM GMT
Classification: Query
You are very welcome! I'm happy to share this info. I am looking into getting the book published. It may take me a while, but I'm determined to get it done in honor of my family that fought in the war and the many soldiers that fought with him. I'll definitely keep you posted!!

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 9:36PM GMT
Classification: Query
EXCELLENT!!!! I was lucky enough to obtain a history of my uncle's unit and then have it augmented day by day by a retired Lt. Col Jay M. Hamilton of the 76th ID....may he continue to rest in peace. Never met him in person...only by email and phone calls....but what a great man. Ever grateful to him for his help.

Re: 418th Night Fighter Squadron WWII LOTS OF INFORMATION

Posted: 7 Jan 2011 9:57PM GMT
Classification: Query
That's awesome!! I would absolutely love to find someone that fought with my grandfather, if there are any from his Squadron still with us and show him the things I have to get as much information as I can. I'm hoping in my broadcasting that I have this information that someone can add to the information and the photos I have.

That is absolutely fantastic that Lt. Col Hamilton was willing to help you. That is definitely the mark of a great man.
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