1st Lt. Robert C. Calef Jr. serial number 0821216 was killed in action near Bremerhaven, Germany, September 26, 1944.
He was pilot of the "Hurry Home" B-17 43-37818.
Memorial to the crew of the "Hurry Home":
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
MACR 9401 reports as follows:
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on September 26, 1944, at 1610 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.
Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft # 818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."
MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:
1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot
T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret
Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried October 3, 1944, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.
This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.
The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.
The entire crew of the B-17 "Hurry Home" 43-37818 was as follows:
1Lt Robert Chambers Calef, Jr. Pilot, serial number 0821216
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot,Maj George James Dvorak serial number 0706042.
1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator, serial number 0707974 Roman Robert Pajakowski
1Lt Donald Nicholas Fehrenbach , serial number 0756962
TSGT Paul Redmond Krubel Radio Operator, serial number 11069263
TSGT Galen E Miller, Jr Top Turret, serial number 33574233
SSgt Frank J Martin Ball Turret, serial number 31139065
SSGT Wayne S Thompson Tail Gunner, serial number 38370670
SSGT John Karbowsky Waist Gunner, serial number 33591618
TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to November 3, 1944. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96 D and #97D.
Robert Chambers Calef Jr. was the son of Robert Chambers Calef, who was also a military aviator and Winnifred Tuttle Chambers. He was born in Houston , Texas. His brother was Richard T. Calef.
Robert C. Calef was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
He was pilot of the "Hurry Home" B-17 43-37818.
Memorial to the crew of the "Hurry Home":
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
MACR 9401 reports as follows:
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on September 26, 1944, at 1610 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.
Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft # 818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."
MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:
1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot
T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret
Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried October 3, 1944, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.
This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.
The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.
The entire crew of the B-17 "Hurry Home" 43-37818 was as follows:
1Lt Robert Chambers Calef, Jr. Pilot, serial number 0821216
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot,Maj George James Dvorak serial number 0706042.
1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator, serial number 0707974 Roman Robert Pajakowski
1Lt Donald Nicholas Fehrenbach , serial number 0756962
TSGT Paul Redmond Krubel Radio Operator, serial number 11069263
TSGT Galen E Miller, Jr Top Turret, serial number 33574233
SSgt Frank J Martin Ball Turret, serial number 31139065
SSGT Wayne S Thompson Tail Gunner, serial number 38370670
SSGT John Karbowsky Waist Gunner, serial number 33591618
TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to November 3, 1944. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96 D and #97D.
Robert Chambers Calef Jr. was the son of Robert Chambers Calef, who was also a military aviator and Winnifred Tuttle Chambers. He was born in Houston , Texas. His brother was Richard T. Calef.
Robert C. Calef was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
1st Lt. Robert C. Calef Jr. serial number 0821216 was killed in action near Bremerhaven, Germany, September 26, 1944.
He was pilot of the "Hurry Home" B-17 43-37818.
Memorial to the crew of the "Hurry Home":
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
MACR 9401 reports as follows:
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on September 26, 1944, at 1610 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.
Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft # 818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."
MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:
1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot
T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret
Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried October 3, 1944, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.
This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.
The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.
The entire crew of the B-17 "Hurry Home" 43-37818 was as follows:
1Lt Robert Chambers Calef, Jr. Pilot, serial number 0821216
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot,Maj George James Dvorak serial number 0706042.
1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator, serial number 0707974 Roman Robert Pajakowski
1Lt Donald Nicholas Fehrenbach , serial number 0756962
TSGT Paul Redmond Krubel Radio Operator, serial number 11069263
TSGT Galen E Miller, Jr Top Turret, serial number 33574233
SSgt Frank J Martin Ball Turret, serial number 31139065
SSGT Wayne S Thompson Tail Gunner, serial number 38370670
SSGT John Karbowsky Waist Gunner, serial number 33591618
TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to November 3, 1944. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96 D and #97D.
Robert Chambers Calef Jr. was the son of Robert Chambers Calef, who was also a military aviator and Winnifred Tuttle Chambers. He was born in Houston , Texas. His brother was Richard T. Calef.
Robert C. Calef was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
He was pilot of the "Hurry Home" B-17 43-37818.
Memorial to the crew of the "Hurry Home":
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=vcsr&GSvcid=652971
MACR 9401 reports as follows:
MACR (Missing Air Crew Report) 9401 reports that on September 26, 1944, at 1610 hours, the "Hurry Home" took a direct flak hit in the right wing just after bombs away.
Eyewitness statements in the MACR report as follows: "This aircraft flew #3 in the 2nd lead element squadron of the low group of 4A wing. This group bombed Bremerhaven as a last resort target. Aircraft # 818 received a direct flak hit over target just after bombs away. At 1610 hours this aircraft was observed to be on fire with the entire right wing ablaze and part of #4 engine falling away. The aircraft went into a spin and then exploded and disintegrated. It was last seen a few miles north of the spot where it suffered initial damage. 2 to 3 chutes were seen before aircraft exploded."
MACR reports that 3 men were able to escape this aircraft:
1st Lt. Roman Pajakowski navigator
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak pilot
T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr Top Turret
Pajakowski and Dvorak were taken POWs. T/Sgt. Galen E Miller Jr's body was recovered and was buried October 3, 1944, at Garrison Cemetery Wesermuende-Geestemuende in Section II, Area G, Row 51, Grave #50.
This was part of mission #648 which originated from Rattlesden as part of the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomb Group, 709th bomb squadron operations in the bombing of Bremen.
The bombing of Bremerhaven resulted in damage to U-Boat #3509 which was being constructed at the Schichau Seebeckwerft facility.
The entire crew of the B-17 "Hurry Home" 43-37818 was as follows:
1Lt Robert Chambers Calef, Jr. Pilot, serial number 0821216
2nd Lt. George J. Dvorak Pilot,Maj George James Dvorak serial number 0706042.
1st Lt. Roman R. Pajakowski Navigator, serial number 0707974 Roman Robert Pajakowski
1Lt Donald Nicholas Fehrenbach , serial number 0756962
TSGT Paul Redmond Krubel Radio Operator, serial number 11069263
TSGT Galen E Miller, Jr Top Turret, serial number 33574233
SSgt Frank J Martin Ball Turret, serial number 31139065
SSGT Wayne S Thompson Tail Gunner, serial number 38370670
SSGT John Karbowsky Waist Gunner, serial number 33591618
TSgt. Paul R. Krubel and SSgt. Wayne S. Thompson's bodies were recovered near Cuxhaven, Germany, prior to November 3, 1944. They originally had interment at Brockeswald Cemetery Grave #96 D and #97D.
Robert Chambers Calef Jr. was the son of Robert Chambers Calef, who was also a military aviator and Winnifred Tuttle Chambers. He was born in Houston , Texas. His brother was Richard T. Calef.
Robert C. Calef was awarded the following medals:
Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart
Inscription
Calef Robert C Jr
1Lt 709 Bomb SQ 447 Bomb GP (H) OHIO
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Ohio.
