Floyd Halton Jamerson was born to Clara J and William R. Jamerson on 2 June 1918, in Duncan, Illinois. This was a small spot in the road being part of what is today Old Shawneetown, IL on the Ohio River; devastated by flood in 1937. Floyd was the eldest of seven brothers in the Jamerson household all linked below.
The family moved to New Memphis, IL in 1921 when Floyd was 3 years old where he attended grade school at New Memphis Station. Floyd attended New Baden High School, five miles to the north for 2 years and then the family moved again to Carmi IL where Floyd graduated High School on May 18, 1937.
After graduation, Floyd moved to Chicago, IL where he was employed at the Goldenrod Ice Cream Company, as a shipping clerk. Floyd and Dorothy May Hurley were married on 25 June 1939, at Morganfield, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from where Floyd grew up, but the couple continued to reside after marriage in the Chicago area.
Floyd enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps on 28 February 1942, entering service from Chicago Illinois, with the initial Service ID: 16058103. He began his aviation cadet training at Santa Ana, Army Air Field, California on 24 March 1942.
Floyd earned his pilot wings and commission as a 2nd Lt in the Army Air Forces Reserve, Service ID: O-734095, graduating from Victorville Army Flying School, Victorville, CA. Floyd also attended pilot training schools at Thunderbird Field, Arizona and Minter Field, Bakersfield, CA. With further training Floyd achieved his four engine rating piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress.
2nd Lt Floyd H. Jamerson was assigned to the 524th Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He deployed to England during March 1943, with the Group stationed at RAF Kimbolton, USAAF designation Station 117. Lt. Jamerson and his crew flew 18 missions over Nazi occupied Europe. During this period Floyd became a father with the birth of his daughter Pamela on 3 November 1943.
Lt. Jamerson and his crew's final mission on 16 September 1943 was aboard what had become their plane; B-17F-75-BO-42-9893 ("El Diablo"-painted over, new name was being selected), (WA-Q). This was the 379th Bomb Group's Mission No. 30 with the target being a ball bearing factory in Nantes France. Near the Target Lt. Jamerson's aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe pilot Feldwebel (S/Sgt) Josef Lorey in a Focke-Wulf, Fw-190A from Jagdgeschwader (Hunting squadron) 2/1 (JG 2/1). 20 MM canon blasts killed Lt. Jamerson instantly with head wounds. The remainder of the crew were able to bail out with the following accounting; 1 KIA, 6 POW, 1 POW/DOW, 2 Evaded. The plane crashed about 15 miles North of Nantes, France; Missing Air Crew Report No. 1346.
Post VE-Day the six POW's were evacuated to the United States, and radio operator T/Sgt John F Paznar who died of his wounds would return to the States much later. The remains of 1st Lt Floyd H. Jamerson would eventually be return home to Carmi, Illinois on 25 August 1949. Funeral services were held Sunday 28 August 1949 with final interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery. Floyd's widow Dorothy and his daughter Pamela, now 5 sadly welcome this return home.
Crew member detail including postwar are as follows:
Jamerson Crew members in order as listed on the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) No.1346, 15 pages on fold3: https://www.fold3.com/image/28692815
2nd Lt Floyd H Jamerson, Pilot, ASN: O-734095, KIA (Illinois)
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette Co-Pilot, ASN: O-738145, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Connecticut)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski, Navigator, ASN: O-794097, POW (Stalag Luft 1, Barth) /EUS (Connecticut). Last name changed to Burke in September 1945
1st Lt John N Beilstein, Bombardier, ASN: O-733514 Evaded/RTD,(Illinois)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 557 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555197
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun, Engineer Top Turret Gunner, ASN: 18103146 POW (Stalag 3b, Furstenberg) /EUS (Texas)
T/Sgt John F Paznar, Radio Operator Gunner, ASN: 37271654 POW/DOW (Died of Wounds) (Minnesota).
S/Sgt Howard E Moody, Right Waist Gunner, ASN: 34128635 POW (Stalag 9c, Bad Sulza) /EUS (South Carolina)
S/Sgt James P Reid, Left Waist Gunner, ASN: 31140922, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS 9 June 1945- last report (Connecticut)
S/SGT John Semach, Tail Gunner, ASN: 15320292, Evaded/ RTD (Pennsylvania)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 422 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555063
S/SGT Charles T Gray, Ball Turret Gunner, ASN: 38148633, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Colorado)
The remains of T/Sgt Paznar would eventually be returned home to Chisholm Minnesota in October 1949, link below.
The remainder of Lt. Jamerson's crew shot down that fateful day in September 1943 have now also folded their wings, final resting places here:
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette,(CP)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski,(N)
1st Lt John N Beilstein (B)
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun (ETTG)
T/Sgt John F Paznar (RO)
S/Sgt Howard E Moody (RWG)
S/Sgt James P Reid (WG)
T/SGT John Semach (TG)
S/SGT Charles T Gray (BTG)
Bio by Scott Muselin - Vindicator I with direction by Pam Watson.
The family moved to New Memphis, IL in 1921 when Floyd was 3 years old where he attended grade school at New Memphis Station. Floyd attended New Baden High School, five miles to the north for 2 years and then the family moved again to Carmi IL where Floyd graduated High School on May 18, 1937.
After graduation, Floyd moved to Chicago, IL where he was employed at the Goldenrod Ice Cream Company, as a shipping clerk. Floyd and Dorothy May Hurley were married on 25 June 1939, at Morganfield, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from where Floyd grew up, but the couple continued to reside after marriage in the Chicago area.
Floyd enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps on 28 February 1942, entering service from Chicago Illinois, with the initial Service ID: 16058103. He began his aviation cadet training at Santa Ana, Army Air Field, California on 24 March 1942.
Floyd earned his pilot wings and commission as a 2nd Lt in the Army Air Forces Reserve, Service ID: O-734095, graduating from Victorville Army Flying School, Victorville, CA. Floyd also attended pilot training schools at Thunderbird Field, Arizona and Minter Field, Bakersfield, CA. With further training Floyd achieved his four engine rating piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress.
2nd Lt Floyd H. Jamerson was assigned to the 524th Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He deployed to England during March 1943, with the Group stationed at RAF Kimbolton, USAAF designation Station 117. Lt. Jamerson and his crew flew 18 missions over Nazi occupied Europe. During this period Floyd became a father with the birth of his daughter Pamela on 3 November 1943.
Lt. Jamerson and his crew's final mission on 16 September 1943 was aboard what had become their plane; B-17F-75-BO-42-9893 ("El Diablo"-painted over, new name was being selected), (WA-Q). This was the 379th Bomb Group's Mission No. 30 with the target being a ball bearing factory in Nantes France. Near the Target Lt. Jamerson's aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe pilot Feldwebel (S/Sgt) Josef Lorey in a Focke-Wulf, Fw-190A from Jagdgeschwader (Hunting squadron) 2/1 (JG 2/1). 20 MM canon blasts killed Lt. Jamerson instantly with head wounds. The remainder of the crew were able to bail out with the following accounting; 1 KIA, 6 POW, 1 POW/DOW, 2 Evaded. The plane crashed about 15 miles North of Nantes, France; Missing Air Crew Report No. 1346.
Post VE-Day the six POW's were evacuated to the United States, and radio operator T/Sgt John F Paznar who died of his wounds would return to the States much later. The remains of 1st Lt Floyd H. Jamerson would eventually be return home to Carmi, Illinois on 25 August 1949. Funeral services were held Sunday 28 August 1949 with final interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery. Floyd's widow Dorothy and his daughter Pamela, now 5 sadly welcome this return home.
Crew member detail including postwar are as follows:
Jamerson Crew members in order as listed on the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) No.1346, 15 pages on fold3: https://www.fold3.com/image/28692815
2nd Lt Floyd H Jamerson, Pilot, ASN: O-734095, KIA (Illinois)
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette Co-Pilot, ASN: O-738145, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Connecticut)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski, Navigator, ASN: O-794097, POW (Stalag Luft 1, Barth) /EUS (Connecticut). Last name changed to Burke in September 1945
1st Lt John N Beilstein, Bombardier, ASN: O-733514 Evaded/RTD,(Illinois)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 557 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555197
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun, Engineer Top Turret Gunner, ASN: 18103146 POW (Stalag 3b, Furstenberg) /EUS (Texas)
T/Sgt John F Paznar, Radio Operator Gunner, ASN: 37271654 POW/DOW (Died of Wounds) (Minnesota).
S/Sgt Howard E Moody, Right Waist Gunner, ASN: 34128635 POW (Stalag 9c, Bad Sulza) /EUS (South Carolina)
S/Sgt James P Reid, Left Waist Gunner, ASN: 31140922, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS 9 June 1945- last report (Connecticut)
S/SGT John Semach, Tail Gunner, ASN: 15320292, Evaded/ RTD (Pennsylvania)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 422 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555063
S/SGT Charles T Gray, Ball Turret Gunner, ASN: 38148633, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Colorado)
The remains of T/Sgt Paznar would eventually be returned home to Chisholm Minnesota in October 1949, link below.
The remainder of Lt. Jamerson's crew shot down that fateful day in September 1943 have now also folded their wings, final resting places here:
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette,(CP)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski,(N)
1st Lt John N Beilstein (B)
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun (ETTG)
T/Sgt John F Paznar (RO)
S/Sgt Howard E Moody (RWG)
S/Sgt James P Reid (WG)
T/SGT John Semach (TG)
S/SGT Charles T Gray (BTG)
Bio by Scott Muselin - Vindicator I with direction by Pam Watson.
Floyd Halton Jamerson was born to Clara J and William R. Jamerson on 2 June 1918, in Duncan, Illinois. This was a small spot in the road being part of what is today Old Shawneetown, IL on the Ohio River; devastated by flood in 1937. Floyd was the eldest of seven brothers in the Jamerson household all linked below.
The family moved to New Memphis, IL in 1921 when Floyd was 3 years old where he attended grade school at New Memphis Station. Floyd attended New Baden High School, five miles to the north for 2 years and then the family moved again to Carmi IL where Floyd graduated High School on May 18, 1937.
After graduation, Floyd moved to Chicago, IL where he was employed at the Goldenrod Ice Cream Company, as a shipping clerk. Floyd and Dorothy May Hurley were married on 25 June 1939, at Morganfield, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from where Floyd grew up, but the couple continued to reside after marriage in the Chicago area.
Floyd enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps on 28 February 1942, entering service from Chicago Illinois, with the initial Service ID: 16058103. He began his aviation cadet training at Santa Ana, Army Air Field, California on 24 March 1942.
Floyd earned his pilot wings and commission as a 2nd Lt in the Army Air Forces Reserve, Service ID: O-734095, graduating from Victorville Army Flying School, Victorville, CA. Floyd also attended pilot training schools at Thunderbird Field, Arizona and Minter Field, Bakersfield, CA. With further training Floyd achieved his four engine rating piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress.
2nd Lt Floyd H. Jamerson was assigned to the 524th Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He deployed to England during March 1943, with the Group stationed at RAF Kimbolton, USAAF designation Station 117. Lt. Jamerson and his crew flew 18 missions over Nazi occupied Europe. During this period Floyd became a father with the birth of his daughter Pamela on 3 November 1943.
Lt. Jamerson and his crew's final mission on 16 September 1943 was aboard what had become their plane; B-17F-75-BO-42-9893 ("El Diablo"-painted over, new name was being selected), (WA-Q). This was the 379th Bomb Group's Mission No. 30 with the target being a ball bearing factory in Nantes France. Near the Target Lt. Jamerson's aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe pilot Feldwebel (S/Sgt) Josef Lorey in a Focke-Wulf, Fw-190A from Jagdgeschwader (Hunting squadron) 2/1 (JG 2/1). 20 MM canon blasts killed Lt. Jamerson instantly with head wounds. The remainder of the crew were able to bail out with the following accounting; 1 KIA, 6 POW, 1 POW/DOW, 2 Evaded. The plane crashed about 15 miles North of Nantes, France; Missing Air Crew Report No. 1346.
Post VE-Day the six POW's were evacuated to the United States, and radio operator T/Sgt John F Paznar who died of his wounds would return to the States much later. The remains of 1st Lt Floyd H. Jamerson would eventually be return home to Carmi, Illinois on 25 August 1949. Funeral services were held Sunday 28 August 1949 with final interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery. Floyd's widow Dorothy and his daughter Pamela, now 5 sadly welcome this return home.
Crew member detail including postwar are as follows:
Jamerson Crew members in order as listed on the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) No.1346, 15 pages on fold3: https://www.fold3.com/image/28692815
2nd Lt Floyd H Jamerson, Pilot, ASN: O-734095, KIA (Illinois)
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette Co-Pilot, ASN: O-738145, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Connecticut)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski, Navigator, ASN: O-794097, POW (Stalag Luft 1, Barth) /EUS (Connecticut). Last name changed to Burke in September 1945
1st Lt John N Beilstein, Bombardier, ASN: O-733514 Evaded/RTD,(Illinois)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 557 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555197
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun, Engineer Top Turret Gunner, ASN: 18103146 POW (Stalag 3b, Furstenberg) /EUS (Texas)
T/Sgt John F Paznar, Radio Operator Gunner, ASN: 37271654 POW/DOW (Died of Wounds) (Minnesota).
S/Sgt Howard E Moody, Right Waist Gunner, ASN: 34128635 POW (Stalag 9c, Bad Sulza) /EUS (South Carolina)
S/Sgt James P Reid, Left Waist Gunner, ASN: 31140922, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS 9 June 1945- last report (Connecticut)
S/SGT John Semach, Tail Gunner, ASN: 15320292, Evaded/ RTD (Pennsylvania)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 422 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555063
S/SGT Charles T Gray, Ball Turret Gunner, ASN: 38148633, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Colorado)
The remains of T/Sgt Paznar would eventually be returned home to Chisholm Minnesota in October 1949, link below.
The remainder of Lt. Jamerson's crew shot down that fateful day in September 1943 have now also folded their wings, final resting places here:
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette,(CP)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski,(N)
1st Lt John N Beilstein (B)
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun (ETTG)
T/Sgt John F Paznar (RO)
S/Sgt Howard E Moody (RWG)
S/Sgt James P Reid (WG)
T/SGT John Semach (TG)
S/SGT Charles T Gray (BTG)
Bio by Scott Muselin - Vindicator I with direction by Pam Watson.
The family moved to New Memphis, IL in 1921 when Floyd was 3 years old where he attended grade school at New Memphis Station. Floyd attended New Baden High School, five miles to the north for 2 years and then the family moved again to Carmi IL where Floyd graduated High School on May 18, 1937.
After graduation, Floyd moved to Chicago, IL where he was employed at the Goldenrod Ice Cream Company, as a shipping clerk. Floyd and Dorothy May Hurley were married on 25 June 1939, at Morganfield, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from where Floyd grew up, but the couple continued to reside after marriage in the Chicago area.
Floyd enlisted in the U.S Army Air Corps on 28 February 1942, entering service from Chicago Illinois, with the initial Service ID: 16058103. He began his aviation cadet training at Santa Ana, Army Air Field, California on 24 March 1942.
Floyd earned his pilot wings and commission as a 2nd Lt in the Army Air Forces Reserve, Service ID: O-734095, graduating from Victorville Army Flying School, Victorville, CA. Floyd also attended pilot training schools at Thunderbird Field, Arizona and Minter Field, Bakersfield, CA. With further training Floyd achieved his four engine rating piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress.
2nd Lt Floyd H. Jamerson was assigned to the 524th Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, Eighth Air Force. He deployed to England during March 1943, with the Group stationed at RAF Kimbolton, USAAF designation Station 117. Lt. Jamerson and his crew flew 18 missions over Nazi occupied Europe. During this period Floyd became a father with the birth of his daughter Pamela on 3 November 1943.
Lt. Jamerson and his crew's final mission on 16 September 1943 was aboard what had become their plane; B-17F-75-BO-42-9893 ("El Diablo"-painted over, new name was being selected), (WA-Q). This was the 379th Bomb Group's Mission No. 30 with the target being a ball bearing factory in Nantes France. Near the Target Lt. Jamerson's aircraft was attacked by Luftwaffe pilot Feldwebel (S/Sgt) Josef Lorey in a Focke-Wulf, Fw-190A from Jagdgeschwader (Hunting squadron) 2/1 (JG 2/1). 20 MM canon blasts killed Lt. Jamerson instantly with head wounds. The remainder of the crew were able to bail out with the following accounting; 1 KIA, 6 POW, 1 POW/DOW, 2 Evaded. The plane crashed about 15 miles North of Nantes, France; Missing Air Crew Report No. 1346.
Post VE-Day the six POW's were evacuated to the United States, and radio operator T/Sgt John F Paznar who died of his wounds would return to the States much later. The remains of 1st Lt Floyd H. Jamerson would eventually be return home to Carmi, Illinois on 25 August 1949. Funeral services were held Sunday 28 August 1949 with final interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery. Floyd's widow Dorothy and his daughter Pamela, now 5 sadly welcome this return home.
Crew member detail including postwar are as follows:
Jamerson Crew members in order as listed on the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) No.1346, 15 pages on fold3: https://www.fold3.com/image/28692815
2nd Lt Floyd H Jamerson, Pilot, ASN: O-734095, KIA (Illinois)
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette Co-Pilot, ASN: O-738145, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Connecticut)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski, Navigator, ASN: O-794097, POW (Stalag Luft 1, Barth) /EUS (Connecticut). Last name changed to Burke in September 1945
1st Lt John N Beilstein, Bombardier, ASN: O-733514 Evaded/RTD,(Illinois)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 557 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555197
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun, Engineer Top Turret Gunner, ASN: 18103146 POW (Stalag 3b, Furstenberg) /EUS (Texas)
T/Sgt John F Paznar, Radio Operator Gunner, ASN: 37271654 POW/DOW (Died of Wounds) (Minnesota).
S/Sgt Howard E Moody, Right Waist Gunner, ASN: 34128635 POW (Stalag 9c, Bad Sulza) /EUS (South Carolina)
S/Sgt James P Reid, Left Waist Gunner, ASN: 31140922, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS 9 June 1945- last report (Connecticut)
S/SGT John Semach, Tail Gunner, ASN: 15320292, Evaded/ RTD (Pennsylvania)
Escape and Evasion (E&E) Report 422 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555063
S/SGT Charles T Gray, Ball Turret Gunner, ASN: 38148633, POW (Stalag Luft 3, Sagan) /EUS (Colorado)
The remains of T/Sgt Paznar would eventually be returned home to Chisholm Minnesota in October 1949, link below.
The remainder of Lt. Jamerson's crew shot down that fateful day in September 1943 have now also folded their wings, final resting places here:
2nd Lt Earl H Guyette,(CP)
2nd Lt Joseph F Burkowski,(N)
1st Lt John N Beilstein (B)
S/Sgt Alvin M Rabun (ETTG)
T/Sgt John F Paznar (RO)
S/Sgt Howard E Moody (RWG)
S/Sgt James P Reid (WG)
T/SGT John Semach (TG)
S/SGT Charles T Gray (BTG)
Bio by Scott Muselin - Vindicator I with direction by Pam Watson.
Inscription
ILLINOIS
1ST LT 379 AAF BOMB GROUP
WORLD WAR II
