Eyewitness statement, page 3 · 18 July 1944
C
5. Engineer
Fus
Keeling, Travis G. T/Sct 18179174 Irs. Katio Jane Keeling,
mothor, Route 1,
Averu, Toxas.
6. Asst Engineer pow Rettler, Jack: A. s/s t 327844,82 lorris Kettler, father
1815 Nonroc Ave. RTO
Droms, New York
7. Radio Operator M/A Ricciardo, Joseph A. I/Sgt 35622653 lrs. Anna Ricciardo,
mother, 197 So. 6th'St.,
Newarid Ohio.
8. Asst Radio Oper. M/Airarney, Alton S. S/Sgt. 36580919 its. S. Barney, 2993
ontolair St., Detroit,
lichigan. - mother.
9. Armorer Gunnel powsmith, William T.
s/sct 31.721.086 Mary Katherine Smith BID
wife, Concord, Tennessee.
10. Asst Armorer Gunn M/rate, James L.
S/Sgt 16055995 lrs. Walter Pate, Route 3,
Jacksonville, Il¹.
(mother)
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS A.E TO HAVE LAST OF AIR-
CRAFT AID CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLULN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted Last
Saw
NALE IN FULL
RANK SERIAL TO. by Radio Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. Frederick 1. Orringer 2nd it 0702956
2. Robert K. Ashdown
I/Sar
3271,6278
X
3. Willerd S. Sperry
It Col.
0396325
X
12. Ii PERSOMITI TO SURVIVID, CHEUN OME OF TIE FOLLOWING
(X) Parachutes were used ( Tersons seen walling away from scene of crash
( ) Any other reason (spécify) One chute was seen to come from the ship.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSOND THIS BITHER ADDITIONAL MOTOGRAPH, FAP,
OR SKETCH, SHGATING APPROXII ATE LOCATION ADRORAFT VAS LAST SEEN Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYMWITIESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASTI,
PORCED LANDANG, On OThER CINCULISTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT.
Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN UNCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF the EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF AILY AUD GIVE NAIE, RANK, AND SERTAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crew LITA
in enemy occupied territory.
** Surrounding circumstances are not reasonably conclusive of KIA casualty status.
Date of this Report: 18 July 1944.
Milthin
Major, Air Corps,
Operations Officer.
3 Inc. S :
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 - Statenent of It Col Sperry
Incl 3 - Statement of Orringer & T/Sgt. Ashdown
now
if
cast
58
- 2 -
5. Engineer
Fus
Keeling, Travis G. T/Sct 18179174 Irs. Katio Jane Keeling,
mothor, Route 1,
Averu, Toxas.
6. Asst Engineer pow Rettler, Jack: A. s/s t 327844,82 lorris Kettler, father
1815 Nonroc Ave. RTO
Droms, New York
7. Radio Operator M/A Ricciardo, Joseph A. I/Sgt 35622653 lrs. Anna Ricciardo,
mother, 197 So. 6th'St.,
Newarid Ohio.
8. Asst Radio Oper. M/Airarney, Alton S. S/Sgt. 36580919 its. S. Barney, 2993
ontolair St., Detroit,
lichigan. - mother.
9. Armorer Gunnel powsmith, William T.
s/sct 31.721.086 Mary Katherine Smith BID
wife, Concord, Tennessee.
10. Asst Armorer Gunn M/rate, James L.
S/Sgt 16055995 lrs. Walter Pate, Route 3,
Jacksonville, Il¹.
(mother)
11. IDENTIFY BELOW THOSE PERSONS A.E TO HAVE LAST OF AIR-
CRAFT AID CHECK APPROPRIATE (only one) COLULN TO INDICATE BASIS FOR SAME:
Contacted Last
Saw
NALE IN FULL
RANK SERIAL TO. by Radio Sighted Crash Forced Landing
1. Frederick 1. Orringer 2nd it 0702956
2. Robert K. Ashdown
I/Sar
3271,6278
X
3. Willerd S. Sperry
It Col.
0396325
X
12. Ii PERSOMITI TO SURVIVID, CHEUN OME OF TIE FOLLOWING
(X) Parachutes were used ( Tersons seen walling away from scene of crash
( ) Any other reason (spécify) One chute was seen to come from the ship.
13. ATTACH, AS AN INCLOSOND THIS BITHER ADDITIONAL MOTOGRAPH, FAP,
OR SKETCH, SHGATING APPROXII ATE LOCATION ADRORAFT VAS LAST SEEN Attached.
14. ATTACH, AS INCLOSURES TO THIS REPORT, EYMWITIESS DESCRIPTIONS OF CRASTI,
PORCED LANDANG, On OThER CINCULISTANCES PERTAINING TO MISSING AIRCRAFT.
Attached.
15. ATTACH, AS AN UNCLOSURE TO THIS REPORT, A DESCRIPTION OF the EXTENT OF
SEARCH, IF AILY AUD GIVE NAIE, RANK, AND SERTAL NUMBER OF OFFICER IN
CHARGE HERE: (If no search, so state giving reason) None. Crew LITA
in enemy occupied territory.
** Surrounding circumstances are not reasonably conclusive of KIA casualty status.
Date of this Report: 18 July 1944.
Milthin
Major, Air Corps,
Operations Officer.
3 Inc. S :
Incl 1 - Overlay
Incl 2 - Statenent of It Col Sperry
Incl 3 - Statement of Orringer & T/Sgt. Ashdown
now
if
cast
58
- 2 -
National Archives, MACR 6954, page 3 · Machine-read from microfilm, uncorrected.