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 303rd BG Original Crew
358th Haas Crew
Joseph E. Haas, Pilot
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JOSEPH E. HAAS CREW - 358th BS
B-17F Hunga Dunga #41-24558 358th BS (VK-F)
(original crew assigned 358BS: 10 Sep 1942 - photo: 13 Oct 1942)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Joseph E. "Little Joe" Haas (P-KIA)(1);
2Lt Robert S. O'Connor (CP-KIA)(2)(3); 2Lt William J. Anderson (N)(4);
2Lt Earl A. Steele (B)(4); Maj Charles A. Green (pass)(9)

(Front - not in order) T/Sgt Bernard Koenig (E-Evd)(3);
Sgt Sidney V. Hall (LWG-POW)(5); Pvt Bernard A. Gergash (R-POW)(6);
Sgt Jessey R. Kinney (BT)(7); Sgt Frank T. "Wes" Batterson (TG-POW)(8)

  1. 2Lt Joseph E. Haas had been with the B-17s at Midway in June 1942. Was KIA on 23 January 1944 mission #11 to Lorient, France in B-17F #41-24567 Beats Me (360BS) PU-J. Shot down by enemy fighters partly caused when the 303rd BG(H) formation was broken up over the target when another Group was bombing above the 303rd BG(H) B-17s. Was flying with members of the 1Lt Louis M. Schulstad Crew (7 KIA, 3 POW)
  2. O'Connor upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot after loss of Lt Haas on 23 Jan 43
  3. Lt Joseph S. O'Connor (P-KIA) and T/Sgt Bernard H. Koenig (E-Evd) on 04 July 43 Mission #48 to LeMans, France. Lt O'Connor Pilot in B-17F #42-5792 The Mugger (358BS) VK-I stayed with this B-17 to avoid hitting the town of Malicorne-sur-Sarthe, France. Citizens of Malicorne erected a monument to Lt O'Connor and his Bombardier, Lt Richard W. Peterson, also KIA, in the late 1940s.
  4. Completed 25 mission combat tour and returned to USA - 1Lt W.J Anderson (N) on 29 May 43 and 1Lt Earl A. Steele (B) 13 June 43
  5. S/Sgt Sidney V. Hall (LWG-POW) on 22 June 1943 mission #43 to Huls, Germany, 1Lt R.W. Jess Pilot.
  6. Sgt Bernard A. Gergash (R-POW) on 18 March 1943 mission #24 to Vegasak. Germany, 1Lt C.N. Austin Pilot.
  7. Sgt Jesse R. Kinney (BTG) froze his feet on 02 Feb 1943 mission. Removed from combat duty following his 8th mission on 04 Feb 1943
  8. S/Sgt Frank T. Batterson (TG-POW) Ditched in Bay of Biscay on 23 Jan 43 mission # 11 to Lorient, France, 1Lt O.T. O'Connor Pilot
  9. Major Charles A. Green, S-2 Intelligence Officer, 303rd BG(H)
[photo from the 303rdBGA Archives]
[Researched by 303rdBGA Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]