BACKGROUND
The 500th Bomb Group, Very Heavy ( VH ),
was activated at Gowen Field, Idaho, on 3 December 1943.
The unit consisted of 1 Officer and 3 Enlisted men.
On 13 December 1943 the 500th Bomb Group
was transferred to Clovis Army Air Field, New Mexico.
It would remain there until mid-April 1944 when it
was transferred to Walker Army Airfield, Victoria, Kansas.
During October 1944 the Flight Echelon was ordered to Saipan.
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In the below undated photo are the names of the crew and their positions.
The precise manner of how this crew came together
is not completely documented.
Much of the following information is from the
Air Force Historical Research Agency ( AFHRA ) Reel B 0667
and
the Month End Rosters of Officers.
In early 1944 each Bomb Group in the 73rd Bomb Wing had 4 Squadrons.
In the 500th, these were the 881st, 882nd, 883rd, and 884th.
December 1943
SSgt Wells at Walker AAF
Victoria, Kansas
58th Bomb Wing
462nd Bomb Group
January 1944
SSgt Wells and Sgt Wright at Walker AAF
Victoria, Kansas
58th Bomb Wing
462nd Bomb Group
March 1944
884th :2nd Lts Patykula and Warde
SSgt Wells at Walker AAF
462nd Bomb Group
Victoria, Kansas
April 1944
883rd : 2nd Lt Sollock
884th: 2nd Lts Edwards, Patykula, and Warde
31 May 1944
500th Bomb Group Headquarters : Major Goldsworthy
881st : 2nd Lts Patykula, Edwards, and Warde
883rd : 2nd Lt Sollock
July 1944
881st : Major Goldsworthy, 2nd Lts Patykula, Edwards, and Warde
882nd :2nd Lt Sollock
September 1944
882nd : 2nd Lt Sollock
15 October 1944
881st
Major Goldsworthy
1st Lts Patykula, Edwards, Warde
2nd Lt Sollock
( Promotions from 2nd to 1st Lt were made on 6 October 1944 )
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Below is one page from the 30 May 1944
Crew Roster of Flight Crews.
Crew #101 is at the top.
The following would not become a part of with the Goldsworthy Crew
Major Mosier
1st Lt Sweet
Pfc Andrews
Cpl Silverstein
At the bottom of this page is the
881st Bomb Squadron
Morning Report
for
6 October 1944
with the promotions for Lts Warde and Patykula
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