Gunner S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray DFC KIA
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service # 34280331
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross,Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA California
Target: Bremen
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 26-Nov-43
Serial Number: 41-24234
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: Mr. 5 X 5,
Location: Germany
Cause: mid air collision 10 KIA
8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group. 66th Squadron. The crew departed from the air base at Shipdham, England, and had intended to return there. Their primary target in Bremen, Germany, was an industrial area which was hit with a good pattern. The mission was successful. Weather conditions were quite bad in that it was exceptionally cold, which probably contributed to the collision early in the mission. None of the eleven casualties was caused by enemy action on this mission.
November 26, 1943 VIII Mission 138: 350 of 390 B-17's, 77 of 101 B-24's and 13 of 14 B-17 PFF aircraft attack the port area of Bremen at 1145-1228 hours; they claim 16-3-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17's and 3 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 139 B-17's, 19 B-24's and 7 PFF B-17's are damaged; casualties are 10 KIA, 35 WIA and 215 MIA. (Source: Wikipedia: Bombing of Bremen in WWII)
Their plane, Mr. 5 X 5, a B-24-Liberator, had been on a bombing run over Germany and were on their way back to England when the plane was caught up in the prop wash of other planes ahead and forced into a collision with #501. The propellers of #501 were cut and sheared off the entire tail section of Mr. 5 X 5, causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. The plane had shrapnel damage from the bombing raid. Members of the crew of the plane in whose prop wash Mr. 5 X 5 was caught observed 6 parachutes coming out of Mr. 5 X 5. However, all members of the crew were Killed in Action that day. All bodies were recovered. Lt. James G. Cary and crew from the 68th Squadron escaped from the collision and returned to base, but only after succeeding in recovering from their spin at an altitude of only 4,000 feet.
Sgt. Ray was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his participation in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Mr. 5 X 5 Crew
1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA Pilot
2nd/Lt. James A. Harper Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Gordon L. Marcouiller Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Jack A. Gates Bombardier KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Charles E. Krauss Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Appledorn Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Alton S. Railing Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Edward R. Markus Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Raymond E. Wright Gunner KIA
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service # 34280331
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross,Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA California
Target: Bremen
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 26-Nov-43
Serial Number: 41-24234
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: Mr. 5 X 5,
Location: Germany
Cause: mid air collision 10 KIA
8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group. 66th Squadron. The crew departed from the air base at Shipdham, England, and had intended to return there. Their primary target in Bremen, Germany, was an industrial area which was hit with a good pattern. The mission was successful. Weather conditions were quite bad in that it was exceptionally cold, which probably contributed to the collision early in the mission. None of the eleven casualties was caused by enemy action on this mission.
November 26, 1943 VIII Mission 138: 350 of 390 B-17's, 77 of 101 B-24's and 13 of 14 B-17 PFF aircraft attack the port area of Bremen at 1145-1228 hours; they claim 16-3-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17's and 3 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 139 B-17's, 19 B-24's and 7 PFF B-17's are damaged; casualties are 10 KIA, 35 WIA and 215 MIA. (Source: Wikipedia: Bombing of Bremen in WWII)
Their plane, Mr. 5 X 5, a B-24-Liberator, had been on a bombing run over Germany and were on their way back to England when the plane was caught up in the prop wash of other planes ahead and forced into a collision with #501. The propellers of #501 were cut and sheared off the entire tail section of Mr. 5 X 5, causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. The plane had shrapnel damage from the bombing raid. Members of the crew of the plane in whose prop wash Mr. 5 X 5 was caught observed 6 parachutes coming out of Mr. 5 X 5. However, all members of the crew were Killed in Action that day. All bodies were recovered. Lt. James G. Cary and crew from the 68th Squadron escaped from the collision and returned to base, but only after succeeding in recovering from their spin at an altitude of only 4,000 feet.
Sgt. Ray was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his participation in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Mr. 5 X 5 Crew
1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA Pilot
2nd/Lt. James A. Harper Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Gordon L. Marcouiller Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Jack A. Gates Bombardier KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Charles E. Krauss Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Appledorn Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Alton S. Railing Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Edward R. Markus Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Raymond E. Wright Gunner KIA
Gunner S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray DFC KIA
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service # 34280331
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross,Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA California
Target: Bremen
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 26-Nov-43
Serial Number: 41-24234
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: Mr. 5 X 5,
Location: Germany
Cause: mid air collision 10 KIA
8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group. 66th Squadron. The crew departed from the air base at Shipdham, England, and had intended to return there. Their primary target in Bremen, Germany, was an industrial area which was hit with a good pattern. The mission was successful. Weather conditions were quite bad in that it was exceptionally cold, which probably contributed to the collision early in the mission. None of the eleven casualties was caused by enemy action on this mission.
November 26, 1943 VIII Mission 138: 350 of 390 B-17's, 77 of 101 B-24's and 13 of 14 B-17 PFF aircraft attack the port area of Bremen at 1145-1228 hours; they claim 16-3-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17's and 3 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 139 B-17's, 19 B-24's and 7 PFF B-17's are damaged; casualties are 10 KIA, 35 WIA and 215 MIA. (Source: Wikipedia: Bombing of Bremen in WWII)
Their plane, Mr. 5 X 5, a B-24-Liberator, had been on a bombing run over Germany and were on their way back to England when the plane was caught up in the prop wash of other planes ahead and forced into a collision with #501. The propellers of #501 were cut and sheared off the entire tail section of Mr. 5 X 5, causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. The plane had shrapnel damage from the bombing raid. Members of the crew of the plane in whose prop wash Mr. 5 X 5 was caught observed 6 parachutes coming out of Mr. 5 X 5. However, all members of the crew were Killed in Action that day. All bodies were recovered. Lt. James G. Cary and crew from the 68th Squadron escaped from the collision and returned to base, but only after succeeding in recovering from their spin at an altitude of only 4,000 feet.
Sgt. Ray was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his participation in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Mr. 5 X 5 Crew
1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA Pilot
2nd/Lt. James A. Harper Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Gordon L. Marcouiller Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Jack A. Gates Bombardier KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Charles E. Krauss Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Appledorn Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Alton S. Railing Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Edward R. Markus Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Raymond E. Wright Gunner KIA
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
Squadron: 66th BS 44th Bomb Group
Service # 34280331
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross,Purple Heart
Pilot 1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA California
Target: Bremen
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:
Date Lost: 26-Nov-43
Serial Number: 41-24234
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:
Aircraft Name: Mr. 5 X 5,
Location: Germany
Cause: mid air collision 10 KIA
8th Air Force, 44th Bomb Group. 66th Squadron. The crew departed from the air base at Shipdham, England, and had intended to return there. Their primary target in Bremen, Germany, was an industrial area which was hit with a good pattern. The mission was successful. Weather conditions were quite bad in that it was exceptionally cold, which probably contributed to the collision early in the mission. None of the eleven casualties was caused by enemy action on this mission.
November 26, 1943 VIII Mission 138: 350 of 390 B-17's, 77 of 101 B-24's and 13 of 14 B-17 PFF aircraft attack the port area of Bremen at 1145-1228 hours; they claim 16-3-10 Luftwaffe aircraft; 22 B-17's and 3 B-24's are lost; 3 B-17's and 1 B-24 are damaged beyond repair and 139 B-17's, 19 B-24's and 7 PFF B-17's are damaged; casualties are 10 KIA, 35 WIA and 215 MIA. (Source: Wikipedia: Bombing of Bremen in WWII)
Their plane, Mr. 5 X 5, a B-24-Liberator, had been on a bombing run over Germany and were on their way back to England when the plane was caught up in the prop wash of other planes ahead and forced into a collision with #501. The propellers of #501 were cut and sheared off the entire tail section of Mr. 5 X 5, causing it to crash, apparently into the sea. The plane had shrapnel damage from the bombing raid. Members of the crew of the plane in whose prop wash Mr. 5 X 5 was caught observed 6 parachutes coming out of Mr. 5 X 5. However, all members of the crew were Killed in Action that day. All bodies were recovered. Lt. James G. Cary and crew from the 68th Squadron escaped from the collision and returned to base, but only after succeeding in recovering from their spin at an altitude of only 4,000 feet.
Sgt. Ray was a recipient of the Distinguished flying cross for his participation in the Ploesti raid "Operation Tidal Wave" August 1st 1943. One of the most daring raids of WW2. Coming in at tree top level the 44th BG destroy Romanian oil refineries.
Mr. 5 X 5 Crew
1st/Lt. Alexander Trolese KIA Pilot
2nd/Lt. James A. Harper Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Gordon L. Marcouiller Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Jack A. Gates Bombardier KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas C. Ray Engineer KIA
T/Sgt. Charles E. Krauss Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Appledorn Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Alton S. Railing Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Edward R. Markus Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Raymond E. Wright Gunner KIA
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
