Paul W Perry

Military
media-15980.jpeg UPL 15980 Crew #549/472
Paul W. Perry Crew
466th BG - 785th and 74th Bomb Squadrons

Standing Left to Right: William Bento (R/O), Paul W. Perry (P), Joseph R. Kelly (CP), Lloyd K. Randolph (N), Gerald D. Camp (FE)

Kneeling Left to Right: Jack F. Towner (G), John F. Durtsche (BTG), Oliver J. Rauch (B), Robert L. Traeger (WG) Arel A. Bye (G)

This crew was originally assigned to the 492nd BG before being transferred to the 466th BG .

Photo taken at Cuntoe, Northern Ireland 466th Bomb Group collection

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 15980 - Crew #549/472 Paul W. Perry Crew 466th BG - 785th and 74th Bomb Squadrons Standing Left to Right: William Bento (R/O), Paul W. Perry (P),...

The Paul W. Perry crew were put together at the 1st BCRD, Westover Field, Massachusetts, in early March, 1944. On 27 May, 1944, they landed at Nutts Corner, Scotland, to begin their European tour. The crew were first assigned to the 445th Bomb Group, but while enroute to Tibenham were transferred to the 857th Squadron, 492nd Bomb Group on 21 June, probably due to high losses experienced by the Group and the urgent need for replacement crews.

After flying 13 missions, the crew were transferred to the 785th Bomb Squadron, 466th Bomb Group on 12 August, 1944, when the 492nd was transferred "less planes and personnel" to the 801st Bomb Squadron (Provisional). They later flew with the 784th Squadron of the 466th as a lead crew.

Seven of the 10 crew members flew their entire 30-mission tour together, finishing on 29 December, 1944. Upon the transfer to the 466th, however, Bento and Randolph were assigned to A.T.C. and were replaced by Glass and Krushynski. When Krushynski broke his collarbone, Bento returned for the last two missions flown by the original crew, but had fallen behind and did not finish his tour at that time. A third crew member, Towner, was wounded on one mission and fell one behind during his recovery. He finished his 30th mission two days after the rest of the crew.

After the war, Captain Perry remained in the Air Force as in instructor. While we have very little information regarding his post-war Air Force career, there are at least four photographs of him with various B-29's and crews. One of his instrument pilot's certificates shows that he was assigned to the 72nd Rcn. Sq. (VLR) for a period of time. At the time of his discharge on September 30, 1950, Captain Perry was assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of the Fifth Air Base Group, Strategic Command. In addition to the Air Medal mentioned in the diary, Captain Perry was awarded four oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After his separation from the Air Force, Captain Perry began a long career in civil aviation. His nascent commercial career was nearly cut short, however, in an inadvertent wheels-up landing. Apparently, he was able to get enough letters of recommendation to rescue his license.

After a short stint with a small carrier, he became a pilot with Flying Tiger Airlines. His time at Flying Tigers included flying near the Arctic Circle, aiding in the construction of the DEW line. One of his co-pilots at the time was Elgen Long. Mr. Long stated to this writer, "He taught me everything I knew about flying off snow and frozen lakes." Captain Long put these skills to good use in 1971, when he became the first-and only, I believe-pilot to solo circumnavigate the globe flying over the poles.

During the mid-sixties, Captain Perry flew Canadair "swing-tail" cargo planes into areas of Viet Nam, including the Air Force base at Danang. During these flights, they often came under small arms fire while landing. Standard procedure was to check the plane for bullet holes upon landing. Later, when Flying Tigers switched to "stretch" DC-10's, some of the older pilots were told they would not be flying the new planes. Instead, the younger pilots were the only ones to be checked out on the jets. The error of this decision soon became apparent, and the "old guard" resumed flights into Danang in the new aircraft. It seems that being under fire from small arms was not a big issue for the guys who flown through flak in Europe and the Pacific.

We believe - as family would - that Uncle Paul was a great pilot. That he and his crew were selected to fly lead, as discussed in the diary, is some proof of this. The following story, appearing in the "Boston Post" sometime in 1953, tells a little more of the tale.



Fliers Uninjured in Crash at Logan



While several hundred spectators watched, a Flying Tiger ace made a breathtaking crash-landing on one wheel at Logan International Airport today and stepped out of the cockpit of his cargo-laden plane with his co-pilot, both unhurt.

Capt. Paul Perry, Chicago, and his flying partner, George Collins, Salt Lake City, Utah, walked away from the C-46 twin-engine craft with only a shaking up.

The crew discovered, after leaving Hartford for Boston, that one wheel would not lock in place. Enroute, they secured the general cargo and made for Logan and radioed their trouble to the control tower. Word spread like wildfire and a crowd gathered.

Perry and his flying pal made two passes at the strip to "get the feel." Using the wind as a buffer, they touched the craft down twice easing the weight onto the defective wheel in an effort to jar it into locked position. Each time this maneuver failed and they zoomed into the air.

They finally informed the tower they were "coming in." Crash equipment, fire apparatus, and ambulances were raced onto the field. Perry eased his big ship down, checking his speed just before he touched down the good wheel.

While the crowd gasped, the plane shot along about 1500 feet and then did a ground loop and skidded to a halt. The only apparent damage was to the landing gear and a wingtip which scraped the strip. The cargo was intact.

After interviewing the pilots in the Flying Tiger hangar, Frank Sweeney, an inspector for the State Civil Aeronautics Commission, praised the landing as a "wonderful piece of flying."

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11111293
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17143455
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12198747
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35225627
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-712555
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Reliable Babe
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron
An Air Raid Patrol Warden surveys the wreckage of a crashed B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95023) of the 392nd Bomb Group near Cheshunt. Image stamped on reverse: 'Evening News.' [stamp], '349114.' [Censor no.] A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse: '392 BG B-24 after mid air collision. 12/8/44.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lucky Lass II
  • Unit: 392nd Bomb Group 577th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group 857th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Black Cat
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Bottle Butt's Buggy
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: B.T.O. (Big Time Operator)
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 466th Bomb Group 489th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron 785th Bomb Squadron 846th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 30 November 1944
  • Date: 22 October 1944
  • Date: 17 October 1944

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Based

Cluntoe, Stewartstown, Dungannon, Cookstown BT71 5BS, UK 8 June 1944 - 19 June 1944 Combat school

Other

War Diary Entry

King's Lynn, King's Lynn, Norfolk PE30, UK 2 July 1944 "For three days straight we have been stood down on a mission. Maybe tomorrow we will finally get our first mission in. After we stood down yesterday, Rauch, Randy, and Kelly all went into King's Lynn and took our clothes to the cleaners. I went to the barbershop and in the meantime they schedule a formation training flight, but didn't think to look down there for me, so we missed it. Went on a low level flight today with a full group formation. Got along pretty good. Still no mail since being here. Pretty strong rumor that the whole group (492nd BG) is going to be transferred to India, but it's still just a rumor."

Other

Transferred to the 466th BG

Attlebridge, Norwich, Norfolk NR9, UK 11 August 1944

Other

14th Combat Mission

30629 Misburg, Germany 24 August 1944 14th combat mission, 1st with the 466th BG. "Was married 4 years and 8 months ago today. I celebrated by dropping 20 x 250 lbs GP bombs on Misburg, Germany. We were awakened at 0345, briefing at 0445. This was our first mission with this group and for Glass the first mission he had been on at all. Don't think briefing was as good as at North Pickenham. Didn't have any trouble getting into formation however, in spite of the messed up way they take off around here. These planes still have the ball turrets in them so they don't fly as nice as the ones at the 492nd. The bombs hit all over instead of on the target. Time: 7:00 hours

Other

16th Combat Mission

48249 Dülmen, Germany 26 August 1944 "West over Germany for the 13th time today for a total of 16 missions. Flew as element lead in the slot of the lead squadron. The target was Dulmen, Germany and we carried 8 x 1000 lbs. GP bombs to try to knock out an underground oil storage facility. We hit just at the head of Happy Valley (the Ruhr Valley) but we stayed on course all the way and we weren't fired upon at anytime. Not even over the target. Take off this morning was delayed twice for a total of two hours. Reason unknown. We are not alerted for tomorrow."

Other

17th Combat Mission

62390 Villers-l'Hôpital, France 30 August 1944 "Today we were supposed to have a short mission. It ended up being six hours though. We hit or attempted to hit, a No-Ball target at Villers, France. In the Pas de Calais area. We got up at 0445 and briefed at 0600. When we took off at 0830 it was misting some, but we climbed out of it at around 12,000 feet. I flew lead of the high right element in the lead squadron today. I don't think I did too bad for my first attempt. We formed at 17,000 feet, then climbed n formation to 23,000 feet before leaving the English coast. Due to clouds we were forced down to 21,000 feet at the IP. We bombed from the same altitude. The formation was very poor over the target and in fact most of the rest of the time. My right wingman had to abort, so on the bomb run the other wingman shifted to the right wing and bombed from there. We didn't get any flak till over the target and then not much after that, but what we got was very accurate. I hard at least two bursts explode & Kelly said he heard about four explosions. Our wingman had to feather an engine and had another one smoking badly, but when we landed we heard he had landed okay at another base. We received quite a few holes around the left waist window, one in the left flap, one in the right rudder and four in the left engine - one of them putting quite a nick in the prop blade. The other three were about spent and didn't do any damage. Treager lost his flak helmet out the waist window. We are alerted again for tomorrow."

Other

18th Combat Mission

Karlsruhe, Germany 5 September 1944 "After an apparently clear and beautiful evening, they pulled us out of our nice warm sacks at 0300 for a 0400 briefing. At 0630 we were in the plane taxiing out for takeoff on mission #18 to Karsruhe, Germany. The front that was giving us so much bad weather yesterday here in England had moved over France. We were supposed to fly at 22,000 feet but we had to go to 26,000 feet to get over the front. We dropped back down to 22,500 feet for the bomb run. Flak over the target was only moderate, but the accuracy was terrific. We got peppered and Towner is due a Purple Heart. Nothing serious, thank goodness, but gave us a bad moment or two till we found out how bad it was. Aster leaving the target we started out climb back to 26,000 feet to get back over the front and get back home. WE had one plane feather an engine and leave us about 30 minutes or so after the target. It was the #3 man (Duane) Kinsey. Later on another one had to pull out too. Towner has been hit in the head by a piece of flak. Fortunately the flak helmet had turned it so all he had was a cut or two around the eye caused by plexi-glass from the window where the flak came in. I was worried that h might have some in his eye, though he felt ok. So at the English coast I got permission to leave the formation and take off straight for the base. While we were still over France, we had about two hours to go and the gas gauge showed only 50 gallons in one tank and about 40 in the other. The gauges must have been wrong because we didn't run out. The Doc put Towner to bed after x-raying his eye. Find out tomorrow if there is any glass in there. The gave us a 24 hour pass so I am going to town and stay tonight."

Other

19th Combat Mission

49661 Cloppenburg, Germany 12 October 1944 Today I flew my first mission as squadron lead. Makes a total of 19 missions. We were supposed to hit an airfield north of Cloppenburg, Germany. When we got there the clouds were pretty thick so we hit the marshaling yards at Osnabruck via PFF instead. I had hoped they would give me a command pilot as I had never had any experience as squadron lead, but they didn't. It didn't go too bad though considering everything. At least I kept the squadron further forward than the 458th BG most of the time. No flak at our squadron, but the lead squadron got hit pretty hard. I saw the #6 ship in the lead squadron go down. One second they were flying along, the next second they were a mass of flames from the leading edge of the wing back to the tail. The wing came off and the plane nosed over into a spin and then the tail broke off at the rear bomb bay. I don't think anyone could have possibly gotten out unless maybe the navigator did. It looked like flames might have been in the cockpit as well. Maybe it's not so bad to get knocked down if you have a chance to bail out, but those boys had no chance. Most of them had been burned to death before they knew what hit them.. Stood down for tomorrow but a practice mission is scheduled." 466th BG Historian note - The plane that was shot down was flown by the Quentin Bailey Crew of the 786th BS. Unfortunately Perry was right. All ten crew were KIA.
Bakersfield, CA, USA

Other

Crew Formed

Westover Air Reserve Base, Chicopee, MA 01022, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Sources

466th BG Archives - Report on Mission No. 146, Neunkirchen, Germany - 30 Nov 1944
NARA Research provided by Brad Sullivan

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Archive - Mission Report for 22 October 1944
NARA research provided by Brad Sullivan

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Sources

Paul W. Perry war diary
466th BG Archives

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Contributor466thHistorian
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Paul W. Perry war diary
466th BG Archives

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
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Sources

Paul W. Perry Diary in the 466th BG Archives

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

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Contributor466thHistorian
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466th BG Historian

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ContributorAAM
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Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE DIARY by Wassom & Brassfield, page 349

Paul W Perry: Gallery (1 items)