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| Walter Huss - 1944 |
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| Recent Address: |
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5377 Cassandra Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95403-7742 |
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| Email: |
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This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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| Family Information: |
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Parents: Floyd and Alma; Wife: Eleanor; Children: Jacalyn, Sherry |
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| Hometown: |
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Freemont, OH |
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| Date Entered Service: |
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December 26 1942 |
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| Service Number: |
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35538620 |
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| Bomb Group: |
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462nd |
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| Squadron: |
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770th |
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| Location of Unit: |
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Piardoba, India September 1944 |
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| Missions Flown: |
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4 |
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| Hump Missions Flown: |
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2 |
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| Targets: |
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Omura, Singapore, Mukden, one mission no record. |
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| Awards/Decorations: |
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Purple Heart, Air Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge with 1 Bronze Cluster
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| Service Schools Attended: |
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Aviation Mechanic - Lincoln, NE Feb-May 1943; Elec. Specialist - Chanute Field, IN Jun-Sep 1943; Boeing B-29 School Oct-Nov 1943 |
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| Military Specialty(ies): |
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MOS 1685 - Gunner |
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| Rank Upon Discharge: |
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Staff Sergeant |
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| Crew Type: |
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Flight crew |
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| Airplane Serial No.& Name: |
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42-6299 Humpin' Honey -- rammed down 12/7/44 near Mukden -- two survivors --S/Sgt Ken Beckwith and S/Sgt Walter Huss |
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| Were you a POW? |
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Yes |
| If so, where? |
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Mukden, Manchuria |
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| Were you interned? |
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Yes |
| If so, where? |
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Mukden, Manchuria |
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| Date Transferred from the 58th: |
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| Date Discharged from the 58th: |
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June 6 1946 |
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| Post-WWII Military Service: |
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Returned to USA on 9/20/45, Hamilton Field, CA. In hospital Presidio -- San Francisco, Crite Hospital -- Cleveland, AF Hospital -- Coral Gables, FL, 104 day POW leave -- two week's leave with father and mother Miami Beach, FL -- courtesy of AF all expenses paid during this 104 day leave.
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| Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s): |
| Power Plant Engineer -- General Motors, Elyria, OH -- 36 years. |
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| Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing: |
| A memorable experience! Left in our plane from Morrison Field, FL and returned to USA Hamilton Field, CA. -- round-the-world trip! Being rammed down and the loss of 9 fellow crew members was a traumatic and devastating happening. A guilt feeling over our Flight Engineer having twin sons born 13 days after he left for overseas. (K.I.A.) The twins are both Doctors! Made many great friends. The internet has made it possible to meet and learn many things about my other friends' experiences. Things I would never have known without the internet.
My father was a WWI overseas Army veteran, so my service has an extra special meaning to me. I AM PROUD AND HONORED TO HAVE BEEN IN THE 58TH BOMB WING.
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| Comments: |
| On the 12/7/44 mission to Mukden, Manchuria, a B-29 accidentally dropped bombs on a P.O.W. camp of 1600 men causing numerous injuries, killing 17.
My parents were notified two days before Christmas 1944 that I was M.I.A. On 12/26/44 they received a letter from B/G Norstad, on 12/27/44 a letter from Major Randolph Sq. Com., 12/27/44 a letter from M/G Ulio, 12/27/44 letter from Chaplain Nelson, on 1/25/45 a letter from M/C LeMay, 2/15/45 a letter from Maj. Randolph, 3/26/45 a letter from Maj. M/G Ulio, 6/29/45 a letter from M/G Ulio, 11/2/45 a letter from White House and President Truman, also a letter not dated from Maj. Bradumus - Personal Affairs. I'm deeply appreciative for all these letters. My folks were never informed I was a P.O.W. On 8/28/45 received a telegram from Edward Witsell, Acting Adj. General of Army that I was alive.
On 9/12/45 six hundred POWs were put on Army transport ship #P.A.145, U.S.S. Culbert headed for Okinawa. On 9/16/45 hit mine, killed 3 sailors, knocked engine room out, during a typhoon, dead in water, finally tugged into Okinawa on 9/18/45. What a journey! On 9/28/45 finally arrived in good old U.S.A., Hamilton Field, CA!
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| Walter Huss - 1996 |
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