Mission 086 - 1

MSgt Fabian Folmer

303rd BG (H) Combat Mission No. 865 December 1943

Target: St. Jean D'Angely, FranceCrews Dispatched: 20 plus 3 spares

Length of Mission: 5 hours, 45 minutes

Bomb Load: 500 lb G.P. bombs

Bombing Altitude: 11,000 ft

Ammo Fired: 1,935 rounds

Bam Bam #42-37893, 358BS (Emerson), returned early with a loose gas cap on theleft "Tokyo tank." Problems with the tail wheel mechanism delayed landing, makingit impossible to take off again and catch up with the formation.

After the 41st Combat Wing had formed, heavy cloud cover over France preventedpositive identification of targets. The formations returned without bombing, in accordancewith VIII Bomber Command policy of no indiscriminate bombing of targets in German-occupied countries.

All flak experienced was meager and inaccurate. No battle damage was sustained.One to four enemy aircraft were reported, with no attacks on the 303rd BG(H) formation.

Excessive prop wash was encountered due to the converging of the Combat Wingand steep and unnecessary turns by the Combat Wing leader.

6 December 1943 - Crew Chief M/Sgt Fabian S. Folmer Earns Legion of Merit Medal

Hq ETOUSA AWARD OF LEGIO N OF MERIT 06 Dec 1943

By direction of the president, under the provisions of AR 600-45, 22 September 1943, the

Legion of Merit is awarded to the following ... enlisted man:

Master Sergeant Fabian S. Folmer, (Army serial No. 15013854), Air Corps,

United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of

outstanding services as crew chief of a bomber aircraft from 17 October 1942 to 27

August 1943. Sergeant Folmer supervised the maintenance of an airplane which

completed thirty-nine successive combat missions over enemy occupied Europe without

mechanical failure or difficulties. Sergeant Folmer maintained this record in spite of

technical difficulties, unfavorable and inclement weather and with only a small ground

crew. His skill, efficiency, untiring energy and devotion to duty reflect great credit on himself and the armed

forces of the United States. Entered Military service from Ohio.

By command of Lieutenant General DEVERS:

DAVID G. BARR, Brigadier General, GSC, Chief of Staff

OFFICIAL:

s/ Ralph Pulsifer

RALPH PULSIFER, Brigadier General, USA, Adjutant General.

Mission 086 - 2

Route Map

Mission 086 - 3

Aircraft Formation at Assembly Point

Shayler865

Long Burkitt 764 213

Heller841

Osborn Lawlor 795 055

Hullar Johnston 875 787Sheets Barker DeCamp Lake 786 177 807 810 Woddrop Campbell 131 927Leve Humphreys Clark Emerson 060 241 785 893 McClellan Hungerford 233 448 Eich Spare-605 Daub Shoup Spare-314 Spare-894

One (1) aircraft aborted this mission:Lt. Emerson in 893

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS

CREW POSITIONSCMP - Command PilotP - PilotCP - Co-PilotNAV - NavigatorANV - Ass't. NavigatorMNV - Mickey NavigatorENG - EngineerBOM - BombardierRO - Radio Operator

TOG - TogglierBT - Ball Turret OperatorTT - Top Turret OperatorTG - Tail GunnerNG - Nose GunnerRG - Radio GunnerWG - Waist GunnerLWG - Left Waist GunnerRWG - Right Waist GunnerGUN - Gunner

VI - Voice InterpreterOBS - ObserverPAS - PassengerPHO - Photographer

RESULTS OF MISSIONKIA - Killed in actionWIA - Wounded in actionMIA - Missing in actionPOW - Prisoner of war

DOW - Died of woundsEVD - Evaded the enemyINT - Interned in neu cntryREP - RepatriatedRES - RescuedESC - EscapedBO - Bailed outDCH - DitchedCR-L - Crashed on landCR-S - Crashed at sea

Mission 086 - 4

358th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17F #42-3448 (No Name)

P Hungerford, Merle R., CaptCP Henderson, John F., 2LtNAV Wiggins, Warren S., 2LtBOM Monkres, Woodrow W., 2LtENG Simpkins, William H., S/SgtLWG Burkart, Ralph F., S/SgtRO Vosler, Forrest L., S/SgtBT Rupple, Edward, SgtRWG Moody, Stanley N., SgtTG Buske, George W., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-37893 Bam Bam

P Emerson, Aubrey L., 2LtCP DaShiell, William C., 2LtNAV Sutherland, Thomas A., 2LtBOM DeLaura, Don J., 2LtENG Stevenson, Robert L., S/SgtBT Robinson, Authur H., SgtRO Radebaugh, Bernard J., S/SgtRWG Owen, Robert J., SgtTG Morrison, George J., SgtLWG McKinney, Clifford M., Sgt(Abortive)

B-17G #42-39785 Thru Hel'en Hiwater

P Clark, Martin L., 2LtCP Watson, Jack W., 2LtNAV Leverton, John G., 2LtBOM Colvin, Vance R., 2LtENG Rowland, Samuel L., S/SgtLWG Stewart, Eugene R., SgtRO Romaniec, Harry, S/SgtRWG Fussner, William H., SgtTG Kosinski, Roman P., SgtBT Booth, Fred H., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39807 Nero

P DeCamp, Donald F., 1LtCP Smith, Marshall L., 2LtNAV Haddock, Ralph M., 2LtBOM Millner, William J., 2LtENG Hembree, William T., T/SgtRO King, Robert E., SgtLWG Hitt, William T., S/SgtBT Miller, Richard C., SgtTG Tracy, Richard J., S/SgtRWG McLawhorn, Jerry C., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39810 Big A Bird

P Lake, Lester A., Jr., 1LtCP Litman, Arnold S., 2LtNAV Merthan, Lawrence C., 2LtBOM Stravinsky, Albert W., 2LtENG Smith, George S., S/SgtRWG Lawson, Tracy W., SgtRO Ebbighausen, Francis R., T/SgtBT Gibbs, Paul M., SgtTG Castillo, Buenaventura L., SgtLWG Miller, Victor R., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39787 Wanton Woman

P Johnston, John R., 1Lt CP Gorman, Quentin J., 2LtNAV Nothstein, John P.D., 2Lt BOM Galbraith, Robert E., 2LtENG Lopez, Rudolph S., T/Sgt RWG Mills, James E., S/Sgt RO Matthews, James O., T/SgtBT Griffin, Edward W., S/Sgt TG Moody, John P., S/Sgt LWG Gibbs, Paul M., Sgt (Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-37927 (No Name)

P Campbell, Paul W., 1LtCP Doty, John C., Jr., 2LtNAV Halliburton, J.B. Lewis, 2LtNG Fee, George H., SgtENG Backiel, Stanley J., T/SgtRWG Wisniewski, Alexander, S/SgtRO McGuire, Robert J., S/SgtBT Brooks, John W., SgtTG Cassidy, Edward J., S/SgtLWG Hoy, James F., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 086 - 5

359th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-31314 Scorchy

P Daub, Leroy E., 2LtCP Assenheimer, Edwin H.P., 2LtNAV Palmer, Gerald M., 2LtBOM Marlatt, Ray G., 2LtENG Barrett, John J., S/SgtRO Kelly, Victor S., S/Sgt RWG Haman, Ray T., SgtLWG Carter, Edward K., SgtBT Gilmore, Charles E., SgtTG Considine, Louis W., S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17F #42-29894 Baltimore Bounce

P Shoup, Noel E., 2LtCP Litherland, James, 2LtNAV Clark, Byron F., 2LtBOM Ulbricht, Walter E., 2LtENG Bragg, Ben W., S/SgtRWG Gribble, Robert F., SgtRO Harrison, Donald B., SgtLWG Manchester, Robert E., SgtBT Hostetter, William L., Jr., SgtTG Ross, Harry C., Sgt(Spare Return)

B-17F #41-24605 Knockout Dropper

P Eich, Henry J., Jr. 2LtCP Woodside, William E., 2LtNAV Carroll, James E., 2LtBOM Stein, William G., 2LtENG Lenson, H., SgtBT Celoni, J.P., SgtRO Harvey, D.S., S/SgtRWG Erdmann, D.C., SgtLWG Maggia, Edmond A., S/SgtTG Gilstrap, R.M., Sgt(Spare Return)

Mission 086 - 6

360th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-37841 Banshee

P Heller, William C., LtCP Coppom, John F., LtNAV Zwayer, James P., LtBOM DeSousa, John, Jr., LtENG Huston, William J., T/SgtRWG Payne, George S., S/SgtRO Spoerri, Felix, T/SgtLWG Lanier, Leo, Jr., S/SgtBT Schultz, Melvin E., S/SgtTG Laurinitis, Anthony, S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39795 Ladies Home Companion

P Osborn, William C., Lt CP Jernigan, Jack, Jr., LtNAV Ross, Lawrence D., LtBOM Campbell, Nelson, LtENG Wolff, William E., S/SgtLWG Wolfe, Earl D., SgtRO Daniel, George L., S/SgtRWG Pierson, Lawrence C., S/SgtBT Fitzgerald, Lyle W., SgtTG Evans, Lawrence B., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31055 Aloha

P Lawlor, John C., Jr., LtCP Hicks, David F., LtNAV Munroe, Linton S., Jr., LtBOM Barker, Havelock W., LtENG Tower, Jack W., S/SgtRWG Baker, Nelson, SgtRO Esposito, Frank B., S/SgtLWG Krenek, Joe W., SgtBT Kuntashian, Warren V., Sgt TG Butler, Raymond K., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39764 Santa Ana

P Long, John A., LtCP Earhart, Amon E., LtNAV Carroll, George M., LtBOM Cascio, Guiseppe, LtENG Wilson, Clarence G., T/SgtLWG Ledley, Albert J., S/SgtRO Jennings, Ralph T., T/SgtRWG Henson, Mace, S/SgtTG Orlando, Anthony T., S/SgtBT Chraniuk, William, S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-30865 (No Name)

P Shayler, Walter K., MajCP Brinkley, Pharis C., 1LtNAV Davis, Darius R., LtNAV Becker, Sylvester J., LtBOM McCormick, James E., LtENG Worthington, Arthur J., T/SgtRWG Peterson, Elmer E., S/SgtRO Crowder, Gayther B., T/SgtLWG Frost, Carlyle A., SgtBT Ayres, Arthur B., S/SgtTG Parrott, John H., Lt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31213 Pistol Packin' Mama

P Burkitt, Benajah G., LtCP Gahimer, Loyd D., 2LtNAV McLane, Joseph T., LtBOM Stamper, William B., M/SgtENG Fielder, Neal F., T/SgtRWG Bowman, Vergil E., S/SgtRO Bonn, Charles J., SgtBT Deffinger, John P., S/SgtTG Bacon, Charlie M., S/SgtLWG Borror, Norwood D., S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

Mission 086 - 7

427th Bombardment Squadron Crew Lists

B-17G #42-31241 Spirit of Wanette

P Humphreys, Fred C., LtCP Clemons, James H., LtNAV Thompson, Joseph C., LtBOM Mire, Burnie N., LtENG Janisch, Ferdinand J., T/SgtLWG Beach, Russell F., S/SgtRO Woods, Arthur H., T/SgtBT Ross, Madison H., S/SgtRWG Dare, Melvin M., S/SgtTG Sparks, William C., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17F #42-3131 Flak Wolf

P Woddrop, Edward M., Lt CP Henderson, Grover C., LtNAV Eccleston, Edward F., LtBOM Matthews, E.P., LtENG Watts, William A., S/SgtBT Plante, Royal F., S/SgtRO Mulholland, John J., T/SgtTG Baggs, Charles C., S/SgtRWG Valis, William, S/SgtLWG Hadley, Owen W., SgtPHO Mulberry, Harold F., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-37875 Empress of D Street

P Hullar, Robert J., LtCP Klint, Wilbur, LtNAV Culpin, John J., Jr., LtBOM Orvis, George T., Jr., LtENG Rice, Dale W., S/SgtLWG Marson, Charles H., S/SgtRO Hoyt, George F., S/SgtBT Sampson, Norman A., S/SgtTG Miller, Merlin D., S/SgtRWG Fullem, Charles, S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-39786 G.I. Sheets

P Sheets, Robert W., LtCP Jackman, Lon E., Jr., LtNAV Clyatt, William L., Jr., LtBOM Wallen, George A., LtENG Souder, Lee F., Jr., S/SgtBT King, Earl J., SgtRO O'Connor, William S., S/SgtTG Sullens, Tom C., SgtLWG Donnelly, James F., SgtRWG Hoff, Henry, S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31233 (No Name)

P McClellan, George S., Jr., LtCP Greenwood, Ernest G., LtNAV Kaliher, John C., LtBOM Cornish, Merlin L., LtENG Tempesta, David, T/SgtRWG Chiles, Alfred B., Jr., S/SgtRO Callihan, George A., T/SgtBT Yarian, Robert G., S/SgtTG Dugan, Charles E., S/SgtLWG Heaton, Barnell S., S/Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31060 Poque Ma Hone

P Leve, Franklin, LtCP Libbee, Dick L., LtNAV Moorehead, Richard D., LtBOM Murphy, Dennis J., LtENG Spross, James C., SgtBT Drees, Edward W., SgtRO Craig, Percy D., S/SgtTG Van Landingham, Armond O., S/SgtLWG Midkiff, Frank L., SgtRWG Keefer, Oliver L., Sgt(Abortive Sortie)

B-17G #42-31177 Lonesome Polecat

P Barker, John C., LtCP Hoeg, Kenneth A., F/ONAV Olsen, Kenneth L., LtBOM Cronin, Ernest L., LtENG Walsh, Charles E., T/SgtBT Knight, Frederick B., S/SgtRO Ratliff, Leonard E., T/SgtTG Vateckas, Coster R., S/SgtLWG McGrew, Robert H., S/SgtRWG Keaton, Joe J., S/Sgt (Abortive Sortie)