ABRAMS crew
Their first B-17 was called Lucky 13 and the crew chief was Clarence Squires. (from Morton Abrams in MM, Dec 1989, p.25)
Their second B-17, (44-8605), was named Happy Warrior, according to Navigator Robert L. Steiner. (letter to me dated 3-30-2000)
Mission #78 October 15, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #84 October 28, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #85 October 30, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38326 B/U 18BS Abrams Bottoms
Up
Mission #91 November 21, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #92 November 25, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams Leaflets only.
Mission #93 November 26, 1944 44-6296 E/R 18BS Abrams
Mission #97 December 5, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #99 December 11, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #101 December 15, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #102 December 24, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #103 December 27, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams Aborted – mechanical.
Mission #106 December 31, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #107 January 2, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #108 January 3, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #109 January 7, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #112 January 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams
Mission #114 January 16, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Mission #116 January 23, 1945 44-8309 E/H 18BS Abrams Ol’
Buddy
Mission #118 January 29, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams
Mission #119 February 3, 1945 43-38338 B/M 18BS Abrams
Mission #120 February 6, 1945 43-38326 B/U 18BS Abrams
Mission #122 February 14, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #123 February 15, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #124 February 17, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #126 February 20, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #127 February 21, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #128 February 22, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #131 February 26, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #132 February 27, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #133 March 1, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #134 March 2, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #135 March 3, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Mission #136 March 4, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior Leaflets only
Mission #137 March 7, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
September 4, 1944 44-8238 Abrams
Operations Order #33, item 13, Headquarters, Grenier Field, 1377 AAF Base Unit (NAD, ATC), Manchester, NH.
Project Number 92840-R, Crew #FK-BJ-4, Shipment FK-BJ-6, B-17G 44-8238
Crew and plane to proceed via North Atlantic Route to ETO for further assignment and duty with the 8th Air Force.
The Crew was assigned to the 34th BG. The plane was assigned to the 303rd BG and was salvaged May 6, 1945 after a landing accident.
Abrams, Morton (P) 2 Lt O-824176
Whittiker, Jack D. (CP) 2 Lt O-675383
Black, Jack E. (B) 2 Lt O-723748
Steiner, Robert L. (N) 2 Lt O-718448
Brown, Ernest W. (AEG) Sgt 34312863
Zell, Walter H. (ROG) T/Sgt 16047049
Reo, Fred J. (AG) Cpl 32549556
Langdon, James C. Jr. (AROG) Cpl 11072602
Croom, Edwin H. (AEG) Cpl 14121813
Derenge, Michael J. (TG) Cpl 35749034
CREW #62; 18th Squadron (First appears on October 2, 1944.)
Abrams, Morton (P)
Whittaker (CP) (originally spelled Whitaker)
Steiner (N) (originally shown on the crew loading lists as the Bombardier)
Black (B) (originally shown on the crew loading lists as the Navigator)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG) (only flew with this crew as an add on photographer until rejoining the crew Feb 14, 1945)
Langdon (G)
Croom (G) (did not fly combat with this crew)
Reo (G)
Mission #78 October 15, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whitaker (CP)
Black (N)
Steiner (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hall (G) (an add on)
Mission #84 October 28, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whitaker (CP)
Black (N)
Steiner (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hall (G) (an add on)
Mission #85 October 30, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whitaker (CP)
Black (N)
Steiner (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hall (G) (an add on)
Mission #89 November 9, 1944 43-38326 B/U 18BS Abrams Bottoms
Up
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP) (spelling of the name changed)
Steiner (N) (crew position corrected on the crew loading lists)
Black (B) (crew position corrected on the crew loading lists)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G) (Now a regular)
Reo (G)
(Derenge and Croom no longer listed with this crew.)
Mission #91 November 21, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #92 November 25, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams Leaflets only.
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #93 November 26, 1944 44-6296 E/R 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (F) (Photographer add on)
Mission #97 December 5, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Knightlinger (F) (Photographer add on)
Mission #99 December 11, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #101 December 15, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #102 December 24, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (F) (Photographer add on)
Mission #103 December 27, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams Aborted – mechanical.
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #106 December 31, 1944 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams (incorrectly listed as 382 but with R/T of B/G)
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (F) (Photographer)
Mission #107 January 2, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Hall (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #108 January 3, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #109 January 7, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #112 January 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #114 January 16, 1945 44-8283 B/G 18BS Abrams
Lost 2 engines and had to turn back prior to target. Dropped bombs on Target of Opportunity, the runway at Quackenbruk Airfield, then landed at an advanced fighter base near Antwerp, Belgium (see crew photo)
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #116 January 23, 1945 44-8309 E/H 18BS Abrams Ol’
Buddy
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #117 January 28, 1945 43-38433 B/R Abrams (Scheduled but did not take off)
Mission #118 January 29, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (F) (Photographer)
Mission #119 February 3, 1945 43-38338 B/M 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Hall (G)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #120 February 6, 1945 43-38326 B/U 18BS Abrams
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Koppen (TG) (add on)
Mission #122 February 14, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (TG) (add on)
Mission #123 February 15, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Derenge (TG) (add on)
Mission #124 February 17, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Brown (E)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hurlman (R) (add on)
Derenge (TG) (add on)
Mission #126 February 20, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG) (now shown as the regular tail gunner)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hurlman (R) (add on)
Mission #127 February 21, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Reo (G)
Hurlman (R) (add on)
Syring (BG) (add on)
Mission #128 February 22, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Hurlman (R) (add on)
Mission #131 February 26, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #132 February 27, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Syring (G) (add on)
Mission #133 March 1, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Reo (G)
Bolser (CP) (add on)
Mission #134 March 2, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
From hardstand #17, took off 0649 hours.
Flew position 1-3 in High Squadron.
Carried 20 250 lb bombs. Dropped on secondary target at 1027 hours from 24,000 feet.
Initial E/A claims: 1-0-0. Credit 1 damaged to Reo (WG)
Landed 1551 hours.
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
NOTE from a letter from Robert Steiner dated March 30, 2000: "At first Jerry sent in jets, which we'd not seen before. It was amazing to see them pull away from our P-51 escort as though the Mustangs were a WWI aircraft. Then came the ME 190s and FW 190s. I fired my navigator's cheek guns at a couple of them and could see the face of one pilot as he flew through the formation. However, the navigator's 50 caliber guns claimed few enemy aircraft. They had a very limited cone in which they could be fired. I did see Freddie Reo, who was our left waist gunner, fire at a German fighter and the plane was obviously hit, began to smoke and plunged downward. After the mission I told the briefing officer that I thought Freddie had shot the plane down, but… he was officially credited only with damaging the fighter."
Mission #135 March 3, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Steiner (N)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Edwards (CP) (add on )
Storrs (B) (add on)
Mission #136 March 4, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior Leaflets only
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
Mission #137 March 7, 1945 44-8605 B/H 18BS Abrams Happy Warrior
Abrams (P)
Whittaker (CP)
Steiner (N)
Black (B)
Zell (R)
Brown (E)
Derenge (TG)
Langdon (G)
Reo (G)
March 18, 1945 is the last time this crew appears in the crew loading list as crew #62.
Abrams subsequently flew for the 8th Air Force Repair Depot at Honington/Bury St. Edmonds, England.. Discharged Nov. 1945 as 1st Lt.