Little Richard Crew KIA: Friberg, Johnson, Grosse, Hoover, Masterson, Bale, Schoocraft USAAF
AIR FORCE
USAAF Little Richard Crew | WWII Tyrrhenian Sea | KIA: Crashed August 19 1943 | Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal
Sponsored by: Survivors: Lascurettes, Hamilton, Peidle, Brown
TO HONOR AND REMEMBER THE 7 HEROES LOST 19 AUGUST 1943
Foggia Italy: Rail Road Yard Bombing Raid
August 19, 1943
B-24 Liberator # 42-40660 Little Richard
Missing Air Crew Report 324 A/C #56
MIA/KIA: Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Italy.
Bomb Squadron Statements
1. Statement from S/Sgt G.B Gabel 512th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment Group: A/C #38 piloted by 1st Lt K.P Iverson
Observed #56 to be out of formation, to the right when attacked by four ME 109’s. On the first attack #3 or #4 engine was hit, started smoking and a fire was observed. The plane attempted to resume formation but slid under same losing altitude. Nine chutes were observed at this time, one was thought to be that of an enemy aircraft (E/A) pilot, which was shot down by the tail gunner on A/C #56, continued to lose altitude, although appearing to be under control. Three more chutes were seen, one was thought to be another E/A pilot also shot down by A/C #56. A/C# 56 was then seen to hit the sea and disintegrate.
2. Statement from T/Sgt Edward A. Lis, 513th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment
About five minutes after we left the coast of Italy I noticed seven enemy pursuit planes above us and to our right. Five of these fighters peeled off and each one attacked ship number 56 which was flying on our right wing. After the first attack, plane 56 glided to our left and then back to our right and it was evident that it was in trouble. When it glided back to our right I noticed four men to bail out and their parachutes open. The plane continued in the glide until it struck the water.
The plane crashed into water about 100 miles off the coast of Naples.
3. Statement from S/Sgt Robert T. Stodard, 513th Bombardment Squadron, 376th Bombardment
As we left the coast of Italy, ship number 56, our number 2 wing plane, left our formation turning right and lagging behind about three hundred and fifty yards. While in this position someone in our ship, number 51, called in seven (7) fighters to tour left and high out of range. This was about five (5) minutes out from the coast. The fighters made a half circle behind out formation well out of range. They then dove in at ship number 56 from 4 to 7 o’clock. Ship number 56 was hit as it was trying to get back into formation. They passed behind and under us. As they went by I saw four (4) parachutes leaving ship number 56. While they were on our left side three (3) more parachutes left the ship. Then the ship passed back to the right side of our ship and in front of us. I could not see ship number 56 as they were under us and in front at this time. As he appeared again to our right I saw him and he seemed to be under control but blew up as soon as he hit the water. I saw a total of seven (7) parachutes leave the plane. One enemy aircraft followed ship number 56 for a short distance and shot at the parachuted men.
Pilot 1st/Lt. Wayne V. Friberg DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
I told the pilot the condition of the plane and he told me to bail out which I did. He did not appear to be injured and was in the pilot’s seat. When I bailed out the Photographer and the Pilot were the only ones I saw on the plane. While I was coming down in my chute I saw more chutes higher than my own which I believed were the Photographer and the Pilot.
Source: Wing Gunner Anthony J Peidl S/Sgt
Co-Pilot 2nd/Lt. David Schoocraft MIA/KIA (not pictured)
Awards: Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen in Co-Pilots seat. He was seen to bail out. Source: S/Sgt Jack Brown Photographer
Radio Op. T/Sgt. Jewett A. Bale DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen in the waist section. It is my supposition that anyone in the waist section who did not bail out was unable to do so. When I bailed out the waist section was blazing wildly.
Waist Gunner S/Sgt. Parke L. Hoover DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen in the waist section. It is my supposition that anyone in the waist section who did not bail out was unable to do so. When I bailed out the waist section was blazing wildly.
Armorer Waist Gunner S/Sgt. John J. Masterson DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen in the waist section. It is my supposition that anyone in the waist section who did not bail out was unable to do so. When I bailed out the waist section was blazing wildly.
Tail Gunner S/Sgt. Albert Grosse DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen in his tail turret. I heard the tail gunner call the pilot and announce fighter planes on our tail. It is my supposition that he was hit in his turret, because as he finished his conversation with the Pilot I heard him scream over the interphone.
Engineer T/Sgt. Woodrow W. Johnston DFC MIA/KIA
Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal
Last seen on flight deck. He was seen to bail out. Source: S/Sgt Jack Brown Photographer
