Re: 8th A.F., 2nd Air Div., 466 Bomb Group, 786th Bomb Squadron

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Posted By GEORGE D. KASPARIAN on May 05, 2006 at 14:17:45:

In Reply to: 8th A.F., 2nd Air Div., 466 Bomb Group, 786th Bomb Squadron posted by S Balbo Kelley on May 04, 2006 at 12:53:27:

: I am looking for information about my Dad, Thomas Balbo(deceased). He was from Cleveland, OH. He was a B24 Navigator with the subject group flying missions from 3-8-45 through 4-9-45. His pilot was Lt. James R. Hinrichs.

: This crew lost a plane on 3-14-45 (over Belgium) but all of the crew survived and were back in action 2 weeks later.

: I would like to find out who the other crew members were (I have a photo I can email to verify), what the knickname of their first plane was and second plane.

: Any personal memories of him would also be great.

: He did his preflight in San Antonio TX, Adv Nav at Ellington Fld, TX, and CTD Univ of FL-Gainsville.

: I also have a Photo showing the entire OTC (CTD) graduating class from JAN 44 out of University of Florida, Gainsville with all of the names if anyone is interested.

: Thank you.

Fellows,
There is a way to identify the crew members. The National Archives at College Park, MD has MISSION FOLDERS for 8th AF Bomb Groups. They contain information about the mission and the original LOADING LISTS for each plane/crew in the formation. The MISSION FOLDER also has a STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS of the mission and would identify by footnote the serial number of any plane which failed to return to base. The National Archives might supply copies of the CREW LOADING LISTS and the STATISTICAL SUMMARY or they may require purchase of a copy of the whole MISSION FOLDER. This could cost $50-$75. However, there is a lot of information in the MISSION FOLDER (the one which includes the CREW LOADING LISTS.
If you wish only the basic information, request a copy of the CREW LOADING LISTS for the 786th BS, 466th BG for 03-14-1945 and the STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS. They may, or may not charge for the copies. Otherwise, request a price quote for a copy of the entire MISSION FOLDER (the one containing the CREW LOADING LISTs (Should be very interesting). The address is: NATIONAL ARCHIVES AT COLLEGE PARK, 8601 ADELPHI ROAD, COLLEGE PARK, MD 70240-6001.

GEORGE D. KASPARIAN

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Comments:: : I am looking for information about my Dad, Thomas Balbo(deceased). He was from Cleveland, OH. He was a B24 Navigator with the subject group flying missions from 3-8-45 through 4-9-45. His pilot was Lt. James R. Hinrichs. : : This crew lost a plane on 3-14-45 (over Belgium) but all of the crew survived and were back in action 2 weeks later. : : : I would like to find out who the other crew members were (I have a photo I can email to verify), what the knickname of their first plane was and second plane. : : Any personal memories of him would also be great. : : He did his preflight in San Antonio TX, Adv Nav at Ellington Fld, TX, and CTD Univ of FL-Gainsville. : : I also have a Photo showing the entire OTC (CTD) graduating class from JAN 44 out of University of Florida, Gainsville with all of the names if anyone is interested. : : Thank you. : Fellows, : There is a way to identify the crew members. The National Archives at College Park, MD has MISSION FOLDERS for 8th AF Bomb Groups. They contain information about the mission and the original LOADING LISTS for each plane/crew in the formation. The MISSION FOLDER also has a STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS of the mission and would identify by footnote the serial number of any plane which failed to return to base. The National Archives might supply copies of the CREW LOADING LISTS and the STATISTICAL SUMMARY or they may require purchase of a copy of the whole MISSION FOLDER. This could cost $50-$75. However, there is a lot of information in the MISSION FOLDER (the one which includes the CREW LOADING LISTS. : If you wish only the basic information, request a copy of the CREW LOADING LISTS for the 786th BS, 466th BG for 03-14-1945 and the STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS. They may, or may not charge for the copies. Otherwise, request a price quote for a copy of the entire MISSION FOLDER (the one containing the CREW LOADING LISTs (Should be very interesting). The address is: NATIONAL ARCHIVES AT COLLEGE PARK, 8601 ADELPHI ROAD, COLLEGE PARK, MD 70240-6001. : : GEORGE D. KASPARIAN :

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