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The B-17 Bombardier

March 29, 2023 7:00 AM / 3 Comments on The B-17 Bombardier

My dad, George Edwin Farrar, was a waist/flexible gunner with the John Oliver Buslee crew of the 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Forces in World War II. On 28 September 1944, the Buslee crew and the James Joseph Brodie crew of the same group became forever connected when the B-17’s they were aboard on a combat mission over Germany suffered a mid-air collision.

I am currently updating the biographical information of the men of these two crews, and I thought it would be a good time to explain the duties involved in each position of the airmen aboard the aircraft, the B-17. I have recently updated the information of the four 384th Bomb Group Bombardiers and one Togglier who flew with the John Oliver Buslee crew of the 544th Bomb Squadron and the James Joseph Brodie crew of the 545th Bomb Squadron.

Marvin Fryden, assigned Buslee crew bombardier

Born 8 January 1921
Died 5 August 1944, age 23
Buried Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, Plot E, Row 2, Grave 4
384th BG Personnel Record
The Family of Marvin Fryden
Marvin Fryden, Update

James Buford Davis, Jung crew bombardier & Buslee crew replacement bombardier after Fryden’s death

Born 5 October 1921
Died 20 December 2009, age 88
Cremated, Greater South Side Crematory, Greenwood, Johnson County, Indiana, USA
384th BG Personnel Record
James B. Davis
More Information About James B. Davis
James Buford Davis, Update – Part 1
James Buford Davis, Update – Part 2

Robert Sumner Stearns, Durdin crew bombardier, but bombardier of the Buslee crew on 28 September 1944

Born 25 August 1923
Died 28 September 1944, age 21
Buried Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA, Section B, Site 302
Memorial marker at Family/Home Cemetery at Juniper Haven Cemetery, Prineville, Crook County, Oregon, USA
384th BG Personnel Record
Robert Sumner Stearns
Robert Sumner Stearns, Update

William Douglas Barnes, Jr., assigned Brodie crew bombardier

Born 20 May 1919
Died 6 December 1990, age 71
Buried Riverside Cemetery, Hastings, Barry County, Michigan, USA
384th BG Personnel Record
William D. Barnes, Jr.
More Information About William D. Barnes, Jr.
William Douglas Barnes, Jr., Update

Byron Leverne Atkins, Chadwick crew flexible (waist) gunner, but togglier of the Brodie crew on 28 September 1944

Born 10 November 1924
Died 28 September 1944, age 19
Buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Lebanon, Boone County, Indiana, USA
384th BG Personnel Record
Byron L. Atkins
Byron Leverne “Bud” Atkins, Update

For a list of all of the airmen of the Buslee and Brodie crews, see permanent page The Buslee and Brodie Crews, which is maintained with new information/posts.

Duties and Responsibilities of the B-17 Bombardier

According to the 303rd Bomb Group’s website, the bombardier’s job was the most important of the entire B-17 crew as “accurate and effective bombing is the ultimate purpose of your entire airplane and crew.” This makes “every other function … preparatory to hitting and destroying the target.”

But the bombardier could not act alone. The B-17’s pilot and bombardier worked together to set up the conditions for the bomb run. Many factors were involved in positioning the aircraft and setting the course from the initial point of the run to the target.

The success of the mission rested on the accomplishment of the bombardier during the bomb run, which made up just a matter of minutes, between the initial point of the run and the target, of the multi-hours long mission to the target.

Some of the many things a bombardier must understand were his aircraft’s,

Bombsight
Bombing instruments and equipment
Racks, switches, controls, releases, doors, linkage, etc.
Automatic pilot as it pertains to bombing and how to set it up and make any adjustments and minor repairs while in flight
Bombs and how to load and fuse them

The bombardier must be an expert in target identification and in aircraft identification and he should be able to assist the navigator in case the navigator becomes incapacitated.

Please refer to the 303rd Bomb Group’s website for the full list of bombardier responsibilities and much more detailed information.

My next post will cover the process and actions necessary for a successful bomb run.

The B-17 Togglier

According to an article posted on the Carlsbad Army Airfield’s public Facebook page,

When there was a shortage of bombardier graduates coming into the operational units, the continental air forces completed their crews with enlisted men who had received individual bombardier training in their own units.

While a good portion of the aircraft in the formation, especially the lead aircraft, carried bombardier school graduates as their bombardiers, many carried toggliers.

Bombardiers were commissioned officers who graduated from bombardier school as part of their stateside training. Toggliers were enlisted men who did not did not attend bombardier school in the States before going overseas into combat.

The togglier was usually a gunner who was retrained and reassigned to sit in the bombardier’s seat in the nose of the aircraft. The togglier was trained to “toggle” a switch to release his aircraft’s bomb load as soon as the lead bombardier released his bombs.

When the standard bombing procedure changed for the non-lead crew/aircraft bombardiers and toggliers to drop their bombs with the lead bombardier, many bombardier graduates pursued lead bombardier training or navigator training within their combat groups.

Location of the Bombardier in a B-17

The bombardier of a B-17 sits over the bombsight in the Plexiglas nose of the aircraft. Should the bombardier have to bail out of the aircraft, he would likely bail out through the door below the nose.

In the following diagram, Robert Stearns is noted in the bombardier position in the nose of the aircraft along with the other Buslee crew members in their positions on September 28, 1944.

Buslee Crew in Position on September 28, 1944
Diagram courtesy of 91st Bomb Group and modified by Cindy Farrar Bryan in 2014

B-17 Bombardier Position Photos

I took the following photo of the Collings Foundation’s B-17 Nine-O-Nine a few years before its tragic crash. It shows the nose of the B-17 with the navigator’s table in the left foreground and the bombardier’s seat in the front of the nose in the middle.

Nose position of the navigator and bombardier of the Collings Foundation’s B-17G Nine-o-Nine In Leesburg, Florida, November 4, 2017

This photo, shared by photographer John Slemp, shows a much better view of the bombardier’s position.

To see more of John Slemp’s photographs, or to purchase his book of photos of WWII Bomber Boys’ flight jacket art, please visit his website.

Stories of 384th Bomb Group Bombardiers and Toggliers

I thought it might also be interesting to read stories, diaries, and journals written by or view video interviews of some of the 384th’s own bombardiers. You’ll find a chart of several bombardiers of the 384th Bomb Group below with links to their personnel records and their written and oral histories as are provided on the Stories page of 384thBombGroup.com.

Airman Personnel Record	Stories, Diaries, Journals, and Interviews
Ackerson, Donald Richard⇗	Résumé of Tour of Bombing Action in Europe⇓ (0.084 MB)
Fleenor, Charles Thurman, “Chuck”⇗	B-17 Bombardier, Speaking at 2011 Reunion⇗
Deignan, Charles Joseph⇗	2005 Veteran’s History Project Oral History Interview⇗
Furiga, Frank Dominic⇗	2004 Veteran’s History Project Oral History Interview⇗
Richard, Oscar Gabriel, III⇗	Oral History Interview⇗
Walton, Daniel Alton⇗	Oral History Interview⇗
Burns, Robert (NMI)⇗	My Bit For Victory⇓ (2.721 MB)

Sources and Further Reading

303rd Bomb Group: Duties and Responsibilities of the Bombardier

303rd Bomb Group: Military Occupational Specialty

B-17 Flying Fortress Queen of the Skies, Crew Positions, Bombardier

TM 12-427 Military Occupational Classification of Enlisted Personnel

The Military Yearbook Project – Army Air Force WWII Codes

The Army Air Forces in World War II: VI, Men and Planes, Edited by W.F. Craven and J.L. Cate, Chapter 19: Training of Ground Technicians and Service Personnel

Training to Fly: Military Flight Training 1907 – 1945 by Rebecca Hancock Cameron

Facebook post from Carlsbad Army Airfield, Bombardier Training

Carlsbad Army Airfield public Facebook page

Thank you to the 91st Bomb Group for granting me permission in 2014 to use and modify their B-17 diagram for use on The Arrowhead Club.

Marvin Fryden, Update

March 22, 2023 7:00 AM / 1 Comment on Marvin Fryden, Update

Marvin Fryden, bombardier of the John Buslee crew, 384th Bomb Group, 544th Bomb Squadron
Photo courtesy of Ash Samet

New information from a new search on Ancestry.com, and new information from military records have provided me with some new and updated information regarding Marvin Fryden, the original bombardier of the John Oliver Buslee crew of the 544th Bomb Squadron of the 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Forces in WWII.

To view my original post and other information about Marvin Fryden, please see the links at the end of this post.

Fryden Family

While in the military, Marvin Fryden spelled his last name as “Fryden.” However, the original spelling of his family’s last name when he was growing up was “Frydyn.” I will use both spellings as they were found in historical records, but generally Marvin’s parents continued to use the “Frydyn” spelling as Marvin and his younger sister, Florence, used the “Fryden” spelling in the 1940’s.

Marvin’s father was Harry Frydyn and his mother was Sylvia Kaplan. The family was Jewish and Yiddish was their native language.

Harry Frydyn was born on February 15, 1889 in Radom, Poland/Russia (depending on the year, Radom was part of Poland or Russia). Radom is located about sixty miles south of Warsaw. According to U.S. Naturalization Records, Harry immigrated to the United States from Russia on 13 November 1907 around the age of 18 (his birthplace was Russia), and he became a naturalized citizen on 5 March 1914 at the age of 25. Alternate records show he immigrated to the United States in 1910 and was naturalized in 1916 (according to the 1920 and 1930 Federal census records).

Sylvia Kaplan Frydyn was born in 1898 in Bialastok [Bialystok], Poland. She immigrated to the United States in 1910 and was naturalized in 1919 (according to the 1920 census) or immigrated in 1914 (according to the 1930 census).

On 5 June 1917, Marvin’s father, Harry Frydyn, at the age of 28, registered for the World War I (July 1914 to 11 November 1918) draft. While I can find no details of Harry’s military service, the Veterans Administration Master Index notes Harry’s Military Service record date as January 1918.

On 8 December 1919, Harry Frydyn, age 30, married Sylvia Kaplan, age 21, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

The 1920 census recorded Harry and Sylvia Frydyn living at 3238 Augusta Street, Chicago, Ward 15 as borders of David and Rose Rosenberg and their son Jerome.

Harry and Sylvia Frydyn had three children in the 1920’s. Their first child, Marvin, was born on 8 January 1921 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. On 21 May 1925, they had a second son, Marshall, who survived only five and a half months, dying on 4 November 1925. The next year, the Frydyn’s third child, a daughter named Florence, was born on 16 October 1926.

The 1930 census recorded Harry (39), Sylvia (31), Marvin (9) and Florence (3) renting a home at 2652 W. Potomac Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Sylvia’s sister, Lilly Kaplan (25), a new immigrant to American in 1927, was living with the family.

The 1940 census recorded the Frydyn family still residing at 2652 W. Potomac Avenue in Chicago. In 1940, Marvin (19) worked as a salesman at Hyraces Silk Manufacturers and had had one year of college. Florence (13) was a student.

In 1944, Florence was pictured in the Sullivan High School yearbook with her last name spelled “Fryden” rather than “Frydyn.”

Marvin Fryden’s sister Florence
Sullivan High School Yearbook of 1944

Entry into WWII Military Service

Enlistment

On 13 January 1942, Marvin Fryden enlisted for service in the Army Air Corps in Chicago, Illinois for Aviation Cadet Training. Marvin’s enlistment record notes his residence as Cook County, Illinois and that he was born in Illinois in 1921. His Army Serial Number at the time of enlistment was 16038334. Note: Officers were reassigned with a new serial number when they were commissioned and Marvin’s later become O-731492.

At the time of his enlistment, Marvin Fryden was 5’9″ tall, weighed 126 pounds, had completed two years of college, and was single with no dependents.

Military Training

With very few official records of Marvin Fryden’s training and service in the States before his combat duty in the European Theater of Operation, I must rely on records noted by Marvin’s wife, Marilyn Ash Fryden Samet.

Marvin…

Was sent for pilot training, but then went on to Bombardier School in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he got his wings in October 1942. (Courtesy of Marilyn Fryden)
Graduated from Bombardier School at Kirtland AAF, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Class #42-14, 10 October 1942. (Courtesy of Bobby Silliman and 384th Bomb Group personnel records)
After marriage, went to training command at Chandler, Arizona and Deming, New Mexico. (Courtesy of Marilyn Fryden)
Marvin Fryden served as a Bombardier Instructor at the Bombardier School at Deming Army Air Field in Deming, New Mexico (Courtesy of Marilyn Fryden and Frank Furiga)
Avn. Cit. ACRTC. Kelly Field, Texas. Kelly Field was an Advanced Flying School in San Antonio, Texas. (Source: Master Index Card/NPRC – National Personnel Records Center)
In Deming, on June 6th, D-Day, commented “I should be there helping them,” after which he was assigned to advanced training in Midland, Texas. There he met bombardiers who had returned from their missions, and he became even more dedicated to serving in a combat zone. He requested combat duty and was sent to Salt Lake City, was assigned to a crew, and went on to Ardmore, Oklahoma for B-17 training. (Courtesy of Marilyn Fryden)

Marriage to Marilyn Ash

Two days before his Bombardier School graduation, Marvin Fryden married Marilyn Ash on 8 October 1942 in Bernalillo, New Mexico. At the time of their marriage, Marvin was twenty-one years old and Marilyn was a few weeks shy of her seventeenth birthday.

Marilyn Ash was born 26 October 1925 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois to Simon Harry Ash and Fay Ash. Simon, a physician in private practice, was born on 26 June 1892 in Germany according to census records, although he noted on his WWII draft registration card that he was born in Vilna, Russia. Fay was born in Illinois. Simon immigrated in 1905 and was a naturalized American citizen. Census records note Fay’s parents were both born in Russia and Simon’s parents were both born in Germany.

In 1930 Simon and Fay Ash and their two children, Marilyn (4 years old) and Myron (a 2-month old infant) lived at 2410 West 51st Street in Chicago. In 1940, the family lived in the same home.

In 1930 and 1940, the Frydyn and Ash families lived only eight miles apart in Chicago, with the Frydyn family at 2651 W Potomac Avenue and the Ash family at 2410 W 51st Street.

The photo below was taken 13 June 1944 at Fonville Studios in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Marvin left for combat on 26 June 1944.

Marilyn and Marvin Fryden
Photo courtesy of Ash Samet

Military Service

Marvin Fryden was assigned as bombardier to the John Oliver Buslee B-17 crew, of which my father was assigned waist gunner, in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Combat Duty in World War II in the 384th Bomb Group

Marvin Fryden’s 384th Bomb Group Individual Sortie record indicates that his duty was Bombardier, one month’s pay was $275.00, and his home address was Mrs. Marilyn Fryden, 2416 W. 51st St., Chicago, Illinois. [Marilyn must have returned to her parents’ home to wait for Marvin while he was away in combat].

Morning Reports of the 384th Bombardment Group and other military documents indicate the following for Marvin Fryden

On 22 JULY 1944, 1st Lt. Marvin Fryden was assigned as Bombardier with the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty 1035) to the John Oliver Buslee crew of the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #144 dated 22 July 1944.

On 5 AUGUST 1944, on his second mission, Mission 173 to Langenhagen, Germany, target was the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), a Luftwaffe Controlling Station, Marvin Fryden was (KIA) killed by flak at the age of 23.

On the 5 August 1944 mission to a German Air Force (Luftwaffe) target in Langenhagen, Germany, a flak shell exploded just outside the nose of Tremblin’ Gremlin where Marvin Fryden sat in position ready to drop his bombs. A piece of flak hit Marvin in the chest, but he was able to release his bombs on the target. He collapsed and survived the return trip to England, but died in the arms of his friend, navigator Chester Rybarczyk, in the hospital.

Marvin Fryden was credited with two missions with the 384th Bomb Group. His first mission was on 4 August 1944 and his last was on 5 August 1944.

Medals and Decorations

Marvin Fryden was awarded the Purple Heart, Killed in action (died of wounds on August 5, 1944).

Casualty of War

Marvin Fryden, Buslee crew bombardier, participating in the 5 August 1944 mission to Langenhagen, Germany, died on that date, at the age of 23. He is buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England, Plot E, Row 2, Grave 4.

His Hospital Admission card recorded,

Age 23
Years of service 2 years, 7 months
First diagnosis – wounds, perforating, location thorax (the chest), generally
Second diagnosis – fracture, compound, comminuted or depressed, humerus (the bone of the upper arm or forelimb, forming joints at the shoulder and the elbow), generally
Causative agent shell fragment, flak, shrapnel.

The National Jewish Welfare Board, Bureau of War Records, Master Card System recorded Marvin Fryden’s death on FEB 14 1945. His name as recorded on the card was FRYDYN Marvin, Rank Lt., Age 23, Next of Kin Mr. & Mrs. Harry Frydyn, Relationship Parents, Address 6719 Lakewood Avenue, City Chicago, State Ill.

Marvin and Marilyn Fryden had been married for two years when Marvin died on 5 August 1944. At the time of Marvin’s death, Marilyn was only eighteen years old. You can read more about Marilyn and her love for Marvin here.

Family After the War

Marvin’s mother, Sylvia Kaplan Frydyn, died on July 8, 1952.

Marvin’s father, Harry Frydyn, died on 27 January 1968 (alternately reported as January 1967).

Marvin’s wife, Marilyn Ash Fryden, was remarried on 22 December 1945 in Illinois to Jerome Samet. They divorced on 17 September 1990 in Surry, North Carolina. Marilyn Ash Fryden Samet died on 7 November 2013 in Cary, North Carolina at the age of 88.

Marvin’s sister, Florence “Faye” Fryden/Frydyn Dobrow, married to Morton Dobrow, died on 12 December 2016 at the age of 90.

Fiftieth Anniversary of V-E Day

NPRC Records Search by American Vice President Al Gore’s Advance Team

In researching Marvin Fryden, I reviewed the documents in his personnel file at the NPRC (National Personnel Records Center) in St. Louis, Missouri. Marvin’s personnel file held very few records, but this letter that dates to 1995 was on file as part of his record.

Letter to Vice President Gore’s Advance Team re: Marvin Fryden

The letter, dated 3 May 1995, was sent from the Assistant Director of Military Records of the NPRC and addressed to a representative, Ms. Lynn Sicade, of Vice President Gore’s Advance Team, London, England. In 1995, Al Gore was American President Bill Clinton’s Vice President.

According to the letter, Ms. Sicade was looking for information on three deceased Army veterans, one of whom was Marvin Fryden. While the letter noted that the NPRC did send some “limited” information about Marvin Fryden, it also noted that his military personnel record was destroyed in the major fire at the facility, which occurred in 1973.

So, why would Vice President Al Gore be interested in Marvin Fryden and the other two deceased Army service members, Elsie B. Keasey and Leo E. Apanasewicz, in 1995?

All three men died in World War II and are buried at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in England.

Marvin Fryden is buried in Plot E, Row 2, Grave 4.
Elsie B. Keasey is buried in Plot C, Row 3, Grave 2.
Leo E. Apanasewicz is buried in Plot A, Row 4, Grave 10.

And that fact leads to the reason that Al Gore was interested in these men.

V-E Day Celebrations: Many Memories of a Great Occasion

According to a 6 May 1995 article, in part, by Audrey Woods,

LONDON (AP) _ Thousands of veterans of World War II joined in commemorations Saturday of the 50th anniversary of V-E Day, each bringing particular memories of triumph, liberation and sorrow.

Vice President Al Gore told veterans gathered at the American Cemetery in Cambridge that the war against evil did not end on May 8, 1945. Vice President Gore said,

“From their deaths, we have learned enduring lessons. If we don’t heed them now, the 21st century … could bring us a greater barbarism than the world has ever known.”

Gore, Veterans in Cambridge to Mark 50th Anniversary of VE-Day

According to a 6 May 1995 article, in part, by Sue Leeman,

CAMBRIDGE, England (AP) _ American veterans gathered among the graves of their fallen comrades today to mark the 50th anniversary of victory in World War II.

Vice President Al Gore was representing the United States at the ceremony, and at other events in Britain, France and Germany. Vice President Gore said,

“I would like to emphasize on this occasion what a great honor it is to be able to represent my country at VE Day commemorations, and to remember on behalf of all Americans the hours when Britain stood alone against the forces of evil threatening our civilization, and to celebrate partnership that won that war, and to honor those who sacrificed everything for our freedom,” Gore said this morning, after meeting Prime Minister John Major in London.

Gore is to lay a wreath at Cambridge’s American Cemetery to honor the 3,812 U.S. war dead interred there and thousands of others listed as missing.

Some 4,000 U.S. veterans, many of them pilots and crew members of the American planes that flew more than a half million missions from England into occupied Europe, are expected to attend the memorial service.

The multi-nation V-E Day celebration began in London, England and continued to Paris, France, to Berlin, Germany, and to Moscow, Russian Federation. Leaders or other officials of fifty-four nations attended events in London – a formal dinner Saturday night (5 May), a service of reconciliation at St. Paul’s Cathedral Sunday morning (6 May), and another banquet at Buckingham Palace.

While visiting the Cambridge American Cemetery, did Vice President Al Gore visit Marvin Fryden’s grave or make remarks about him and the others his Advance Team researched through the NPRC? I cannot answer that question now, but perhaps the answer is in the archives somewhere in a transcript of his speech or in photos of his visit to the cemetery that day.

Marvin Fryden gravesite, Cambridge American Cemetery, Plot E, Row 2, Grave 4. (Source: Find a Grave contributor Geoffrey Gillon, 6 Jul 2013)

Notes

Previous post, The Family of Marvin Fryden

Wikipedia: Radom, Poland

Wikipedia: Bialystok, Poland

Previous post, A Photo of Marvin Fryden, Bombardier of the Buslee Crew

Marvin Fryden’s Enlistment Record in the online National Archives (in the Reserve Corps records)

WWII Era at Kelly Field

Marvin Fryden’s Personnel Record courtesy of the 384th Bomb Group

MOS means Military Occupational Specialty

Previous post, Assigned Military Occupational Specialties of the Buslee and Brodie Crews

Previous post, Timeline for Buslee Crewmembers and Substitutes, 544th Bomb Squadron

Previous post, August 5, 1944 Mission 173 Press Release – Transcription

Marvin Fryden’s Find a Grave Memorial

Florence “Faye” Frydyn Dobrow obituary

AP News: V-E Day Celebrations: Many Memories of a Great Occasion

AP News: Gore, Veterans in Cambridge to Mark 50th Anniversary of VE-Day

The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center

James Buford Davis, Update – Part 2

March 15, 2023 7:00 AM / Leave a comment

James Buford Davis

New information from a new search on Ancestry.com, and new information from military records have provided me with some new and updated information regarding James Buford Davis, the second bombardier of the John Oliver Buslee crew of the 544th Bomb Squadron of the 384th Bomb Group of the 8th Army Air Forces in WWII. Davis was the crew’s replacement bombardier following the death of original crew bombardier Marvin Fryden.

To view my original post and other information about James Buford Davis, please see the links at the end of this post.

Continued from James Buford Davis, Update – Part 1

Return to the States

James Buford Davis arrived back in the States on 4 January 1945 from overseas combat duty as a bombardier, 6 months, 35 missions, B-17 combat experience in the ETO.

From 7 December 1944 to 15 May 1945, James Davis was assigned to AAFRS#4, 1040 AAFBU, SAAAB, Santa Ana, California, Return to US, leave and processing.

From February 1945 to May 1945, James Davis was hospitalized in Santa Ana due to combat fatigue. He was admitted on 21 February 1945.

In the doctor’s initial summary, he described James as,

Twenty-three year old bombardier on a B-17, 6 months overseas with the 8th Air Force, 35 missions completed. No wounds, injuries or serious illnesses while overseas. At present, feels nervous, tense, sweaty palms, loss of 15 pounds in weight, feels insecure.

James’ general appearance and condition on admission was,

Well developed, well nourished young adult male in no physical distress at the present time.

The doctor’s final diagnosis was,

Operational fatigue, mild, manifested by nervousness, restlessness, tension, sweaty palms, and loss of weight, 35 combat missions.

On 27 February 1945, James was transferred to the Convalescent Hospital Facility, Convalescent Hospital Division, AAF Regional Hospital, AAF Redistribution Station No. 4, at Santa Ana Army Air Base. The Transfer Diagnosis was “Suspected operational fatigue” with a Working Diagnosis or Impression of “Mild operational fatigue.” No “Contemplated laboratory tests or special examinations” were performed “at this station.”

Even though symptoms, including nervousness, tensions, and mild startle reactions, persisted, notes indicated “no major problem,” and “program satisfactory,” resulting in an eventual disposition on 7 or 9 May 1945 for a return to line of duty. Summary of Progress was “Uncomplicated.” Condition on completion of case: was “Recovered.” No details of what the “program” entailed were included.

Throughout the entire process, doctors noted James’ “tenseness and restlessness” was “more pronounced when in crowds.”

He slept fairly well, but “Occasional difficulty in sleeping persists with rare dreams. Program satisfactory, attendance good.”

Only one comment in the doctor’s notes indicated what was likely causing James’ “mild operational fatigue.”

Two of his crews were lost while Pt. [patient] was not flying with them. There is apparently some guilt reaction associated with the fact that the Pt. was not with his crew.

On 19 April 1945, James was described as, “Feels fairly well. Occasional lapses in feeling of security. CAA course completed.” Other comments were illegible.

By 27 April 1945, notes read, “Feels well – is ready for discharge as soon as restriction is lifted.” And by 4 May 1945, “Generally improving. To start illegible Monday.”

In the Request for Discharge, the Ward Officer noted that Davis’ condition was “Recovered” for Discharge to General Military Duty.

Today we refer to James’ “operational fatigue” as “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” and we know recovery can take years, not weeks, if ever.

On 7 May 1945, Germany surrendered to the western Allies at General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Headquarters in Reims, France. German Chief-of-Staff, General Alfred Jodl, signed the unconditional surrender, to take effect the following day.

On 8 May 1945, V-E (Victory in Europe) Day was declared as German troops continued to surrender to the Allies throughout Europe. However, World War II was still raging in the Pacific theater, and James was still an active duty airman who might be called upon in some capacity to help defeat the Japanese.

From 16 May 1945 to 14 July 1945, James Davis was assigned to MAAF, Midland, Texas, Student Officer, Bmbdr Refresher Course, AT-11, Norden.

On 23 May 1945, James was assigned to 2528 AAFBU, AAFld, Midland, Texas (CFTC).

On 4 June 1945, James Davis was assigned to Army Air Forces Instructors School (Bombardier). He attended from 4 June 1945 to 14 July 1945 and successfully completed the course of instruction with Class 615 Graduate. His overall academic rating as an instructor was Excellent and he ranked 35 in a class of 223.

From 15 July 1945 to 20 July 1945, James was assigned to MAAF, Midland, Texas, awaiting orders.

From 21 July 1945 to 17 October 1945, James was assigned to CAAF, Childress, Texas, Continuation Trainee.

In early August 1945, the United States Army Air Forces dropped atomic bombs on Japan, on Hiroshima on 6 August and on Nagasaki on 9 August. On 14 August, Japan agreed to an unconditional surrender. Surrender documents would not be signed until 2 September. Some consider the 14 August 1945 date to be V-J (Victory in Japan) Day, but others consider 2 September 1945, when the surrender document was signed, to be V-J Day.

During his time in Childress, on 26 August 1945, James B. Davis was suspended from all flying duties, grounded because about a week before, on 21 August, he fell while playing basketball at the Gym at the 2512th AAF BU (BS), CAAF, Childress, Texas, and injured his right knee. He received treatment in the hospital for sixteen days before his release on 11 September 1945 and return to flying duties.

On 22 October 1945, James Davis received his dated orders of separation, and relieved from Active Duty on 11 November 1945 at Amarillo AAF Texas.

On 23 October 1945, James Davis completed an “Application for Appointment and Statement of Preferences for Reserve Officers.” His application was for the Grade of 1st Lt., and Section was Air Corps.

Release from WWII Active Duty

James Buford Davis was relieved from active duty on 11 November 1945 at Amarillo Army Air Field Separation Base.

Military Record and Report of Separation/Certificate of Service

James Davis’ separation record listed his Military History,

His Grade was 1st Lt.
His Date of Entry into Active Service was 26 Feb 1944
His Date of Relief from Active Duty was 11 Nov 1945
Military Occupational Specialty and No. – Bombardier 1035
Battles and Campaigns – Northern France, Germany
Decorations and Citations – Air Medal w/5 OLC
Service Outside Continental U.S. and Return – listed below…
Wounds Received in Action – None
Total Length of Continental Service – 1 year, 2 months, and 10 days
Total Length of Foreign Service – 0 years, 6 months, and 3 days
Education (years) – Grammar School 8, High School 4, College 2
Reason and Authority for Separation – RR 1-5 cs TWX AFPMP 1097 Hq AAF TWX 40[illegible]-28539 Hq AAF TC 11 Sep 45
Service Schools Attended – Preflight Primary, Preflight Bombardier, Gunnery, Advanced Bombardier, Bombardier Refresher Course

Service Outside Continental U.S. and Return

Departure from U.S.
- Date of Departure 1 Jul 44
- Destination ETO
- Date of Arrival 4 Jul 44
Departure from ETO
- Date of Departure 26 Dec 44
- Destination USA
- Date of Arrival 4 Jan 45

James Davis’ Separation Qualification Record noted his

Date of entry into active service – 26 Feb 44
Date of separation 11 Nov 45
Place of separation AAF Sep Base #19. Amarillo, Texas

The Military Occupational Assignments noted,

1 month, Grade Pvt., Military Occupational Specialty – 521 Basic Trng.
25 months, Grade 1st Lt., Military Occupational Specialty – Bombardier 1035

The Summary of his Military Occupations noted,

BOMBARDIER: Flew as bombardier on B-17 crew. Has 6 1/2 mo. 275 hrs as a bombardier overseas for the period in the ETO. Has EAME Ribbon with 3 bronze stars, Air medal with 5 oak leaf clusters. Overseas service bars, and presidential citation.

James Davis’ Military Education noted,

- Pre-flight – 3 1/2 mo. Studied subjects relating to air crew trng. including physics, math, weather, maps and charts and radio code.
- Primary Pilot Trng. 1/2 mo. Flew single engine planes and studied subjects necessary for aircraft flying.
- Aerial Gunnery. 1 1/2 mo. nomenclature and operation of (50 & 30) Cal machine guns. Operation and maintenance of all types turrets used in aircraft.
- Advanced Bombardiering Trng. 4 1/2 mo. Theory of aerial bombardment operation and maintenance of Norden bombsight and bomb racks. Advanced studies in physics, math, meteorology, practice bombing and navigation missions. Pilotage, radio, and D/R navigation.
- Bombardier, Refresher Course. 1 1/2 mo. Refresher course in bombardiering.

Civilian Education noted,

Highest grade completed – 2 yr College
Degrees or diploma – None
Year left school – 1942
Name and address of last school attended – Purdue Univ; Lafayette, Ind.
Major courses of study – Mechanical Engineering

Civilian Occupations noted,

Student

Medals and Decorations

During his military service with the 384th Bomb Group in World War II, James Buford Davis earned three bronze stars, an air medal with five oak leaf clusters, and a presidential (unit) citation. He was also awarded the EAME (European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign) Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, and American Theater Ribbon.

Additionally, on 29 January 1944, while an Aviation Cadet, James Davis was recommended for the Good Conduct Medal and was approved on 14 February 1944.

Reserve Duty

James Buford Davis was tendered appointment in the Officers’ Reserve Corps, Army of the United States, effective 23 October 1945 and took the Oath of Office at AAAFld, Amarillo, Texas on that date.

James Davis transferred to the Department of the Air Force per Transfer Order 1, NME, 26 September 1947. As noted in a fact sheet from Evolution of the Department of the Air Force,

On September 26, 1947, by order of the Secretary of Defense, personnel of the Army Air Forces (AAF) were transferred from the Department of the Army (formerly the War Department) to the Department of the Air Force and established as the United States Air Force (USAF).

From the National Archives, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, online documents regarding the Korean War,

The Korean War began on 25 June 1950, when the Northern Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea in a coordinated general attack at several strategic points along the 38th parallel, the line dividing communist North Korea from the non-communist Republic of Korea in the south.

The United States entered the Korean War on 27 June 1950, just two days after it began. Concerned that the Soviet Union and Communist China might have encouraged the invasion, President Harry S. Truman committed United States air, ground, and naval forces to the combined United Nations forces assisting the Republic of Korea in its defense.

On 4 October 1950, James Davis wrote a letter to inquire about his status in the reserves, “as to the probability of my being called up for active duty & if so, how soon?” He continued,

I could better arrange my affairs if I knew whether or not I am to be called.

My 5 year enlistment in the reserves will be terminated in November [1950]. It is my understanding that all reserve enlistments have been frozen. Am I correct?

The official response to his inquiry noted, in part, that he was assigned to Hq and Hq Sq. Tenth Air Force (VRS), Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan, and

Inasmuch as higher Headquarters allocates the quotas to be filled, this Headquarters is unable to advise you as to the exact date you will be recalled to active duty.

Higher Headquarters has directed that all commissions in the United States Air Force Reserve which would terminate on or subsequent to 27 July 1950, would automatically be extended indefinitely.

Note: VRS is “Volunteer Reserve Section.”

On 22 January 1951, James wrote again to ask about his Reserve Corps status and if he was to be called up, how soon.

The official response on this occasion was,

At this time you would not be ordered to active military service involuntarily except in a case where your military specialty could not be obtained through volunteer sources. All orders to active military service are based upon the immediate needs of the Air Force. In view of this no definite time can be set when you might be ordered to active military service. In the event your services can be utilized you will be promptly notified.

In an Air Force Reserve Inventory Questionnaire he completed on 14 October 1952, James Davis noted that his,

Employer was Allison – Div. of G.M.C., Indianapolis, Indiana.
Present position was Senior Clerk.
Duties: to initiate buys of component parts for turbo jet engine & to make any changes in purchase of parts to make material deviations when specified is not available.
College education was Purdue University, completed 4 years, graduated, BS degree in Science (date 2-49), major Business Administration.
Marital status was married with 2 dependents (wife and child).

Again, from the National Archives, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, online documents regarding the Korean War,

Acting on a campaign pledge, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower went to Korea on December 2, 1952. After visiting the troops, their commanders and South Korean leaders, and receiving briefings on the military situation in Korea, Eisenhower concluded, “we could not stand forever on a static front and continue to accept casualties without any visible results. Small attacks on small hills would not end this war.” President Eisenhower sought an end to hostilities in Korea through a combination of diplomacy and military muscle-flexing.

On 1 April 1953, James Davis’ reserve status in the Air Force was terminated.

In a continuation of the previous excerpt from the National Archives,

On July 27, 1953, seven months after President Eisenhower’s inauguration as the 34th President of the United States, an armistice was signed, ending organized combat operations and leaving the Korean Peninsula divided much as it had been since the close of World War II at the 38th parallel.

Civilian Life After the War

After the war, James Davis continued his college education at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana.

At the age of 27, James married Joan Joslyn McShirley (born 12 March 1925), daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McShirley of Sulphur Springs, Indiana, on 21 August 1948 while a student at Purdue. James and Joan were married in her parents’ home.

James graduated from Purdue with a BS degree in Science with a major in Business Administration in February 1949.

The 1950 Federal Census reports that James B. and Joan J. Davis lived in a house on a farm of three or more acres and described as at “left on Hwy 81” in Rumsey, McLean County, Kentucky. James was 28 years old and Joan was 25. James’ occupation was farmer. In an undated military form I found at the NPRC, James noted his “Present civilian occupation” as Farming, managing 460 acre bottom land farm.” This was likely the same farm on which James and Joan lived in 1950.

James’ and Joan’s son, Sean Cameron Davis, was born 1 November 1951 in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana.

In 1967, James, Joan, and Sean lived in New Castle, Indiana, and Sean attended the same high school from which his father graduated in 1940, New Castle Chrysler High School.

On 10 January 1967, Sean Davis, James’ and Joan’s only child, died in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of fifteen, from a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding into the space between the brain and skull) due to arteriovenous malformation (when arteries in the brain connect directly to nearby veins without having the normal small vessels, aka capillaries, between them).

On 2 September 1967, James Davis’ WWII crewmate and friend Chester Rybarczyk, who had become a firefighter in Toledo, Ohio after World War II, died at the age of 44 fighting a fire at a local tavern. A few years later, Chester Rybarczyk’s son Tony connected with James Davis and they stayed in touch, with James sharing memories of Tony’s dad with Tony.

On 20 December 2009, James Buford Davis died at the age of 88 at the Hooverwood Nursing Home in Indianapolis, Indiana. James’ cause of death was dementia with the contributing condition of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

According to James’ obituary as published in the Indianapolis Star, at one time James owned Express Auto Supply in Hobart, Indiana and later co-owned the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise in New Castle.

James Davis was cremated at the Greater South Side Crematory in Greenwood, Indiana, with Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service on Madison Avenue in Indianapolis in charge of arrangements.

On 29 December 2020, James’ wife, Joan McShirley Davis, died in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Notes/Links

Previous post, James Buford Davis, Update – Part 1

Previous post, James B. Davis

Previous post, More Information About James B. Davis

James Davis’ Enlistment Record in the online National Archives (in the Reserve Corps records)

James Buford Davis’ Personnel Record courtesy of the 384th Bomb Group

MOS means Military Occupational Specialty

Previous post, Assigned Military Occupational Specialties of the Buslee and Brodie Crews

Previous post, Timeline for Buslee Crewmembers and Substitutes, 544th Bomb Squadron

Evolution of the Department of the Air Force

National Archives, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, online documents regarding the Korean War

Joan McShirley Davis Find a Grave memorial

Previous post, Chester Rybarczyk – After the War

James Buford Davis, Update – Part 1

March 8, 2023 7:00 AM / 2 Comments on James Buford Davis, Update – Part 1

James Buford Davis

To view my original post and other information about James Buford Davis, please see the links at the end of this post.

Davis Family

James Buford Davis was born on October 5, 1921 in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana to Charles Raymond “Ray” (1891 – 1986) and Bessie “Bess” Millican (1893 – 1981) Davis. James’ birth certificate originally listed his name as Donald Millican Davis, but the name was scratched through and replaced with the name James Buford Davis. His parents changed their minds in naming their son and named James after his paternal grandfather.

In 1920, Ray and Bess Davis lived in Crofton, Christian County, Kentucky and Ray was a farmer. But by the time son James was born in 1921, the family had moved to Indiana.

In 1930, the Davis family lived at 716 [corrected from previous article] South 14th Street in the Fifth Ward of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana. Charles R. “Ray” was thirty-nine years old and Bess was thirty-six.

The 1930 Federal Census notes that Ray was born in Kentucky and both of his parents were from Kentucky. Bess was born in Indiana. Her father was from Indiana and her mother was from Kentucky. James was eight years old at the time of the 1930 census. He had a younger brother Charles Raymond Jr., age five, and a younger sister Evelyn Joy, age four. Ray was employed as a commercial paint salesman in 1930.

In 1940, the family lived at 1216 Woodlawn Drive in New Castle, and had lived in the same house since at least 1935. Ray was still working as a salesman for a paint company. James was now eighteen years old, and had another brother, Neel D. Davis, who was nine.

Education and Civilian Employment prior to Military Service

James Buford Davis graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School with the Class of 1940. Following high school, James attended two years of college at Purdue University where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, specialized in the subjects of math and science, and participated in the sport of wrestling.

While attending Purdue University, from 7 September 1940 through 30 May 1942, James Davis was a Pfc. in the ROTC. He was classified as in “Field Art., Student, Inactive.”

Prior to his military service, James was employed at Perfect Circle Mfg. Co. in New Castle, Indiana from May 1942 to January 1943. The business was a Piston Ring Foundry. James supervised five employees and his position was “Heat Treater.” His duties were to “heat piston rings to definite temperature & for specified time & remove from furnace for cooling.”