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William Herman Graves |
97 Squadron |
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- May 18, 1942: Enlisted in Army Reserves as an Aviation Cadet. His serial number was 17065122.
- Oct 28, 1942: Reserve unit ordered to active duty.
- Feb 07,1943: Assigned to 10th AAFFTD (Army Air Force Flying Training Detachment) Gary Field-Blythe, CA. I understand this was for his initial flight training. He was in class 43-H.
- Apr 15, 1943: Moved to the 4th AAFFTD in Lancaster, CA. Unsure the reason for the move.
- Jun 23, 1943: Transferred to 317th AAFAFS (Army Air Force Advanced Flying School) in Chandler, AZ for TEFT (twin or two engine flight training). Again he was in class 43-H.
- Aug 30, 1943: Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. For some reason he received an honorable discharge and new serial number 0-753653.
- Aug 31, 1943: Transferred to AAFFS at Mather Field-Mills, CA for B-25 transition class.
- Nov 15, 1943: Assigned to 952nd TEFT (Twin Engine Flight Training) as a flight instructor.
- Dec 1943: Assigned to the 47th Bombardment Group at Morris Field-Charlotte, NC. Not sure at what point he was assigned to the 97th Squadron within the group.
- Apr 21, 1944: Received orders to report to Hunter Field in Georgia for overseas assignment.
- May 17, 1944: Departed Newport News Harbor aboard USS Santa Rosa. At the time of his departure he was unsure of the destination.
- May 31, 1944: Arrived at Naples Italy. Initially placed in the 19th Replacement Unit in or near Naples.
- Jun 04, 1944: Moved to the 47th Bomb Group at the Vesuvius Airfield just southeast of Naples at the base of Mt. Vesuvius, and is unable to fly because of a head cold.
- Jun 06, 1944: Flew his first training mission, however, regretted it I assume because he still had sinus congestion from the cold.
- Jun 12, 1944: Because he was still grounded, he went by ground to new base at Ponte Galeria Italy. The planes were moved on the 10th.
- Jun 15, 1944: Began flying night training missions. His squadron was one of the first in US Armed Forces history to attempt night bombing missions.
- Jun 27, 1944: Group moved to new base at Ombrone Airfield southwest of Rome.
- Jul 03, 1944: Flew first combat mission at 0030 hours.
- Jul 04, 1944: Left Ombrone base flying an A-20B Havoc serial number 41-3489 on an armed reconnaissance mission to Florence Italy. It is believed he was returning to base after completing the mission. Witnesses report his plane was on fire and it crashed after circling an airfield near Pontedera Italy. The crash site was under enemy control and therefore he was listed as missing in action. After the area was taken by allied forces the crash site was found and local residents gave account of crash and location of the graves they buried the crew in. The MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) is 6458.
The Crew on this mission:
2nd Lt. William H. Graves - Pilot Sgt Robert P. Adams - Gunner Sgt John J. Eden - Navigator/Bombardier Sgt Robert J. Dunn Dr. Browder J. Thompson
The A-20 has a normal crew of pilot, gunner and navigator/bombardier. I am unsure who and why the two additional crewmembers were on this flight.
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Please contact us with any biographical data or pictures of William Graves.
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