Pilot 2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. KIA
Hometown: Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service# O-745956
Awards: Purple Heart
Target: Berlin Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #4462
Date Lost: 29-Apr-44
Serial Number: #41-28759
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-PIus"
Aircraft Name: (NO NICKNAME) 4th Mission
Location: near the Holland-German border
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 3KIA 7POW
The Group losses on this raid would be the second heaviest ever encountered in its combat history in terms of men killed and planes lost-next only to those suffered at Friedrichshafen on 18 March 1944. On this mission, (18) aircrews were briefed between 0400-0430 hours with the 577th and Lieutenant Rapenport as Bombardier leading. Crews began take-offs at 0725 on what was to be a mission encounter of grave misfortunes due to heavy enemy fighter opposition and flak. Before the target, an estimated 50 single engine fighters hit the group, consisting of FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft, attacking in double line-abreast and making a level pass through the Group's formation.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Returning aircraft had no eyewitness accounts on the loss of this aircraft. The Group's Command (lead) Pilot's report stated this ship went over the target in formation but was lost thereafter. As in the previous aircrew loss accounts for this mission, the Group formation, had come under severe enemy fighter attacks over the Zuider Zee, coast in and nearing the target area until well after bomb drops.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: One survivor, the Navigator, Lt. Ryan's report after POW release indicated their plane had left formation due to battle damage about 45 minutes after target on the return home leg, and the crew had finally abandoned ship about one hour after that time, somewhere near the Holland-German border. He went on to relate that he believed there were still (3) crew members in the ship when it crashed: Lt. Shere, the Pilot; F/O Zeman, Co-Pilot, and S/Sgt. Wilson, Radio Operator. Another survivor in his later report also noted the Pilot and Co-Pilot were having great difficulties in attempting to keep their plane under some control in order for the other crew members to have a chance for successful bail out. Lt. Ryan cited both these pilots for their extraordinary heroism and sacrificial human efforts to accomplish this feat. His statement definitely directed deserved praise for Lt. Shere and F/0 Zeman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their supreme efforts in these final moments, as he stated: .."for the superhuman controlling .of our ship that had been badly crippled....and because it was a two man job." In another crew member's brief account, he stated that the bail out bell had been sounded by Lt. Shere, and that the Radio Operator Wilson did follow that signal by shouting..."Fred says to bailout." By accounts, no member on the flight deck had evidenced any injuries up to the moment of the abandon ship order. A third crew survivor, Nose Gunner Wilcox, in his later statement did indicate that the Pilots and Radio Operator did not have a chance to abandon ship. German ground reports recorded the aftercrash details to some extent, and fates of the crew members. Report #KU17O8, 29 April indicated..."at 1400 hours, Nortrupp, District of Bersenbrueck, FQ 64, Liberator, 90% destruction, serial number DH 128659 v (Ed's note: mistake made in last three digits of reported tail number), (7) men captured, (3) men dead, salvaged by salvage detachment". Another report from Airbase Command Al 9/XI, Airbase Hesepe, to Oberursel near Frankfurt-on-Main (DulagLuft), dated 29 April, reported the recovery and burial of (3) crew member bodies and the capture of (7) others by the Airbase Quakenbruk. Another German report #1705, same date, noted and reported gunshot wound injuries to two of the captured crew men: Sgt Hampton, gunshot wound in the belly, hospitalized on 30 April at Teilles Prison Hospital (Lingen); and Sgt Morris, gunshot wound in the upper right thigh, hospitalization at the same location. No explanation as to how/when these two members received these wounds was included in these reports.
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report from Airbase Command Al9/Xl to higher headquarters indicated the burial information on the (3) crew men found at the plane's crash location: All (3) were buried in the civilian cemetery at Achmer; Lt Shere in Grave #73; F/O Zeman in #72; and S/Sgt Wilson in Grave #74, all taking place on 30 April. Subsequently, U.S. National Cemetery record reflect that Lt Shere was recovered and re-interred in the National Cemetery at MARGRATEN near Maastricht, Holland, in Grave 1-8-17. It is noted that the Purple Heart was awarded this member, posthumously. No record exists in this MACR reflecting later interments or dispositions of the remains of F/O Zeman or S/Sgt Wilson from their initial burial site at Achmer.
The #41-28759 Crew
2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. Pilot KIA
FO Milan R. Zeman Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Patrick J. Ryan Navigator POW
Sgt. Robert W. Wilcox POW
S/Sgt. Orlando H. Friesen Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Fonzy M. Wilson Jr. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Joe B. Maloy A. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Frank A. Bennett Gunner POW
Sgt. Thomas L. Hampton Gunner POW
Sgt. Marvin O. Morris Gunner POW
Hometown: Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service# O-745956
Awards: Purple Heart
Target: Berlin Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #4462
Date Lost: 29-Apr-44
Serial Number: #41-28759
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-PIus"
Aircraft Name: (NO NICKNAME) 4th Mission
Location: near the Holland-German border
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 3KIA 7POW
The Group losses on this raid would be the second heaviest ever encountered in its combat history in terms of men killed and planes lost-next only to those suffered at Friedrichshafen on 18 March 1944. On this mission, (18) aircrews were briefed between 0400-0430 hours with the 577th and Lieutenant Rapenport as Bombardier leading. Crews began take-offs at 0725 on what was to be a mission encounter of grave misfortunes due to heavy enemy fighter opposition and flak. Before the target, an estimated 50 single engine fighters hit the group, consisting of FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft, attacking in double line-abreast and making a level pass through the Group's formation.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Returning aircraft had no eyewitness accounts on the loss of this aircraft. The Group's Command (lead) Pilot's report stated this ship went over the target in formation but was lost thereafter. As in the previous aircrew loss accounts for this mission, the Group formation, had come under severe enemy fighter attacks over the Zuider Zee, coast in and nearing the target area until well after bomb drops.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: One survivor, the Navigator, Lt. Ryan's report after POW release indicated their plane had left formation due to battle damage about 45 minutes after target on the return home leg, and the crew had finally abandoned ship about one hour after that time, somewhere near the Holland-German border. He went on to relate that he believed there were still (3) crew members in the ship when it crashed: Lt. Shere, the Pilot; F/O Zeman, Co-Pilot, and S/Sgt. Wilson, Radio Operator. Another survivor in his later report also noted the Pilot and Co-Pilot were having great difficulties in attempting to keep their plane under some control in order for the other crew members to have a chance for successful bail out. Lt. Ryan cited both these pilots for their extraordinary heroism and sacrificial human efforts to accomplish this feat. His statement definitely directed deserved praise for Lt. Shere and F/0 Zeman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their supreme efforts in these final moments, as he stated: .."for the superhuman controlling .of our ship that had been badly crippled....and because it was a two man job." In another crew member's brief account, he stated that the bail out bell had been sounded by Lt. Shere, and that the Radio Operator Wilson did follow that signal by shouting..."Fred says to bailout." By accounts, no member on the flight deck had evidenced any injuries up to the moment of the abandon ship order. A third crew survivor, Nose Gunner Wilcox, in his later statement did indicate that the Pilots and Radio Operator did not have a chance to abandon ship. German ground reports recorded the aftercrash details to some extent, and fates of the crew members. Report #KU17O8, 29 April indicated..."at 1400 hours, Nortrupp, District of Bersenbrueck, FQ 64, Liberator, 90% destruction, serial number DH 128659 v (Ed's note: mistake made in last three digits of reported tail number), (7) men captured, (3) men dead, salvaged by salvage detachment". Another report from Airbase Command Al 9/XI, Airbase Hesepe, to Oberursel near Frankfurt-on-Main (DulagLuft), dated 29 April, reported the recovery and burial of (3) crew member bodies and the capture of (7) others by the Airbase Quakenbruk. Another German report #1705, same date, noted and reported gunshot wound injuries to two of the captured crew men: Sgt Hampton, gunshot wound in the belly, hospitalized on 30 April at Teilles Prison Hospital (Lingen); and Sgt Morris, gunshot wound in the upper right thigh, hospitalization at the same location. No explanation as to how/when these two members received these wounds was included in these reports.
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report from Airbase Command Al9/Xl to higher headquarters indicated the burial information on the (3) crew men found at the plane's crash location: All (3) were buried in the civilian cemetery at Achmer; Lt Shere in Grave #73; F/O Zeman in #72; and S/Sgt Wilson in Grave #74, all taking place on 30 April. Subsequently, U.S. National Cemetery record reflect that Lt Shere was recovered and re-interred in the National Cemetery at MARGRATEN near Maastricht, Holland, in Grave 1-8-17. It is noted that the Purple Heart was awarded this member, posthumously. No record exists in this MACR reflecting later interments or dispositions of the remains of F/O Zeman or S/Sgt Wilson from their initial burial site at Achmer.
The #41-28759 Crew
2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. Pilot KIA
FO Milan R. Zeman Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Patrick J. Ryan Navigator POW
Sgt. Robert W. Wilcox POW
S/Sgt. Orlando H. Friesen Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Fonzy M. Wilson Jr. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Joe B. Maloy A. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Frank A. Bennett Gunner POW
Sgt. Thomas L. Hampton Gunner POW
Sgt. Marvin O. Morris Gunner POW
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. KIA
Hometown: Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service# O-745956
Awards: Purple Heart
Target: Berlin Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #4462
Date Lost: 29-Apr-44
Serial Number: #41-28759
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-PIus"
Aircraft Name: (NO NICKNAME) 4th Mission
Location: near the Holland-German border
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 3KIA 7POW
The Group losses on this raid would be the second heaviest ever encountered in its combat history in terms of men killed and planes lost-next only to those suffered at Friedrichshafen on 18 March 1944. On this mission, (18) aircrews were briefed between 0400-0430 hours with the 577th and Lieutenant Rapenport as Bombardier leading. Crews began take-offs at 0725 on what was to be a mission encounter of grave misfortunes due to heavy enemy fighter opposition and flak. Before the target, an estimated 50 single engine fighters hit the group, consisting of FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft, attacking in double line-abreast and making a level pass through the Group's formation.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Returning aircraft had no eyewitness accounts on the loss of this aircraft. The Group's Command (lead) Pilot's report stated this ship went over the target in formation but was lost thereafter. As in the previous aircrew loss accounts for this mission, the Group formation, had come under severe enemy fighter attacks over the Zuider Zee, coast in and nearing the target area until well after bomb drops.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: One survivor, the Navigator, Lt. Ryan's report after POW release indicated their plane had left formation due to battle damage about 45 minutes after target on the return home leg, and the crew had finally abandoned ship about one hour after that time, somewhere near the Holland-German border. He went on to relate that he believed there were still (3) crew members in the ship when it crashed: Lt. Shere, the Pilot; F/O Zeman, Co-Pilot, and S/Sgt. Wilson, Radio Operator. Another survivor in his later report also noted the Pilot and Co-Pilot were having great difficulties in attempting to keep their plane under some control in order for the other crew members to have a chance for successful bail out. Lt. Ryan cited both these pilots for their extraordinary heroism and sacrificial human efforts to accomplish this feat. His statement definitely directed deserved praise for Lt. Shere and F/0 Zeman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their supreme efforts in these final moments, as he stated: .."for the superhuman controlling .of our ship that had been badly crippled....and because it was a two man job." In another crew member's brief account, he stated that the bail out bell had been sounded by Lt. Shere, and that the Radio Operator Wilson did follow that signal by shouting..."Fred says to bailout." By accounts, no member on the flight deck had evidenced any injuries up to the moment of the abandon ship order. A third crew survivor, Nose Gunner Wilcox, in his later statement did indicate that the Pilots and Radio Operator did not have a chance to abandon ship. German ground reports recorded the aftercrash details to some extent, and fates of the crew members. Report #KU17O8, 29 April indicated..."at 1400 hours, Nortrupp, District of Bersenbrueck, FQ 64, Liberator, 90% destruction, serial number DH 128659 v (Ed's note: mistake made in last three digits of reported tail number), (7) men captured, (3) men dead, salvaged by salvage detachment". Another report from Airbase Command Al 9/XI, Airbase Hesepe, to Oberursel near Frankfurt-on-Main (DulagLuft), dated 29 April, reported the recovery and burial of (3) crew member bodies and the capture of (7) others by the Airbase Quakenbruk. Another German report #1705, same date, noted and reported gunshot wound injuries to two of the captured crew men: Sgt Hampton, gunshot wound in the belly, hospitalized on 30 April at Teilles Prison Hospital (Lingen); and Sgt Morris, gunshot wound in the upper right thigh, hospitalization at the same location. No explanation as to how/when these two members received these wounds was included in these reports.
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report from Airbase Command Al9/Xl to higher headquarters indicated the burial information on the (3) crew men found at the plane's crash location: All (3) were buried in the civilian cemetery at Achmer; Lt Shere in Grave #73; F/O Zeman in #72; and S/Sgt Wilson in Grave #74, all taking place on 30 April. Subsequently, U.S. National Cemetery record reflect that Lt Shere was recovered and re-interred in the National Cemetery at MARGRATEN near Maastricht, Holland, in Grave 1-8-17. It is noted that the Purple Heart was awarded this member, posthumously. No record exists in this MACR reflecting later interments or dispositions of the remains of F/O Zeman or S/Sgt Wilson from their initial burial site at Achmer.
The #41-28759 Crew
2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. Pilot KIA
FO Milan R. Zeman Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Patrick J. Ryan Navigator POW
Sgt. Robert W. Wilcox POW
S/Sgt. Orlando H. Friesen Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Fonzy M. Wilson Jr. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Joe B. Maloy A. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Frank A. Bennett Gunner POW
Sgt. Thomas L. Hampton Gunner POW
Sgt. Marvin O. Morris Gunner POW
Hometown: Oregon
Squadron: 578th BS 392th Bomb Group
Service# O-745956
Awards: Purple Heart
Target: Berlin Germany
MISSING AIRCREW REPORT: #4462
Date Lost: 29-Apr-44
Serial Number: #41-28759
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "V-PIus"
Aircraft Name: (NO NICKNAME) 4th Mission
Location: near the Holland-German border
Cause: German fighters Crew of 10 3KIA 7POW
The Group losses on this raid would be the second heaviest ever encountered in its combat history in terms of men killed and planes lost-next only to those suffered at Friedrichshafen on 18 March 1944. On this mission, (18) aircrews were briefed between 0400-0430 hours with the 577th and Lieutenant Rapenport as Bombardier leading. Crews began take-offs at 0725 on what was to be a mission encounter of grave misfortunes due to heavy enemy fighter opposition and flak. Before the target, an estimated 50 single engine fighters hit the group, consisting of FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft, attacking in double line-abreast and making a level pass through the Group's formation.
MISSION LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES: Returning aircraft had no eyewitness accounts on the loss of this aircraft. The Group's Command (lead) Pilot's report stated this ship went over the target in formation but was lost thereafter. As in the previous aircrew loss accounts for this mission, the Group formation, had come under severe enemy fighter attacks over the Zuider Zee, coast in and nearing the target area until well after bomb drops.
INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS OF CREWMEN FATES: One survivor, the Navigator, Lt. Ryan's report after POW release indicated their plane had left formation due to battle damage about 45 minutes after target on the return home leg, and the crew had finally abandoned ship about one hour after that time, somewhere near the Holland-German border. He went on to relate that he believed there were still (3) crew members in the ship when it crashed: Lt. Shere, the Pilot; F/O Zeman, Co-Pilot, and S/Sgt. Wilson, Radio Operator. Another survivor in his later report also noted the Pilot and Co-Pilot were having great difficulties in attempting to keep their plane under some control in order for the other crew members to have a chance for successful bail out. Lt. Ryan cited both these pilots for their extraordinary heroism and sacrificial human efforts to accomplish this feat. His statement definitely directed deserved praise for Lt. Shere and F/0 Zeman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for their supreme efforts in these final moments, as he stated: .."for the superhuman controlling .of our ship that had been badly crippled....and because it was a two man job." In another crew member's brief account, he stated that the bail out bell had been sounded by Lt. Shere, and that the Radio Operator Wilson did follow that signal by shouting..."Fred says to bailout." By accounts, no member on the flight deck had evidenced any injuries up to the moment of the abandon ship order. A third crew survivor, Nose Gunner Wilcox, in his later statement did indicate that the Pilots and Radio Operator did not have a chance to abandon ship. German ground reports recorded the aftercrash details to some extent, and fates of the crew members. Report #KU17O8, 29 April indicated..."at 1400 hours, Nortrupp, District of Bersenbrueck, FQ 64, Liberator, 90% destruction, serial number DH 128659 v (Ed's note: mistake made in last three digits of reported tail number), (7) men captured, (3) men dead, salvaged by salvage detachment". Another report from Airbase Command Al 9/XI, Airbase Hesepe, to Oberursel near Frankfurt-on-Main (DulagLuft), dated 29 April, reported the recovery and burial of (3) crew member bodies and the capture of (7) others by the Airbase Quakenbruk. Another German report #1705, same date, noted and reported gunshot wound injuries to two of the captured crew men: Sgt Hampton, gunshot wound in the belly, hospitalized on 30 April at Teilles Prison Hospital (Lingen); and Sgt Morris, gunshot wound in the upper right thigh, hospitalization at the same location. No explanation as to how/when these two members received these wounds was included in these reports.
BURIAL RECORDS: German Report from Airbase Command Al9/Xl to higher headquarters indicated the burial information on the (3) crew men found at the plane's crash location: All (3) were buried in the civilian cemetery at Achmer; Lt Shere in Grave #73; F/O Zeman in #72; and S/Sgt Wilson in Grave #74, all taking place on 30 April. Subsequently, U.S. National Cemetery record reflect that Lt Shere was recovered and re-interred in the National Cemetery at MARGRATEN near Maastricht, Holland, in Grave 1-8-17. It is noted that the Purple Heart was awarded this member, posthumously. No record exists in this MACR reflecting later interments or dispositions of the remains of F/O Zeman or S/Sgt Wilson from their initial burial site at Achmer.
The #41-28759 Crew
2nd/Lt. Fred C. Shere Jr. Pilot KIA
FO Milan R. Zeman Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Patrick J. Ryan Navigator POW
Sgt. Robert W. Wilcox POW
S/Sgt. Orlando H. Friesen Engineer POW
S/Sgt. Fonzy M. Wilson Jr. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Joe B. Maloy A. Radio Op. POW
Sgt. Frank A. Bennett Gunner POW
Sgt. Thomas L. Hampton Gunner POW
Sgt. Marvin O. Morris Gunner POW
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Oregon.
Family Members
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