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PERSONAL LOG BOOK
|
 Lt.
Combs kept a copy of the flight manifest which has complete
documentation of the air crew and jump stick members for Chalk 17. Note
that the date of September 16, 1944 is off by one day
|
 Rex
jotted down the names of the aircrew as well as the men in his stick.
The page was probably part of his "Lieutenant's book", a personal log
kept by squad leaders. |
On 17 September
1944, 1/Lt. Rex Combs was in C-47 aircraft #43-15216, Chalk 17, part
of Serial A-20 for Operation Market.
The aircraft was flown by members of the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st
Troop Carrier Group.
At 1328 the stick left the aircraft and landed about 2000 yards east
of the intended drop zone and close to the border at Wyler Germany,
(Read an account of Rex's jump and following
actions)
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(all images courtesy of Rex Combs collection) |
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Rank
|
Name |
Unit |
Fate |
| 1/Lt
|
Blackburn,
William R |
Pilot |
? |
| 2/Lt
|
Willenberg,
Kenneth H |
Co-Pilot |
? |
| SSgt
|
Gibson, Arthur
R) |
Crew Chief |
? |
| SSgt
|
Helfenstine,
Everett E |
(Radio) |
? |
| 1/Lt |
Combs, Rex |
Co A |
Died 1976 |
|
|
Kirkland, Collie |
Co A |
Died 1982 |
|
Pvt |
Marshall, Calvin R |
Co A |
Died 2006? |
|
Pvt |
Benton, James R |
Co A |
Died 1992 |
|
Pvt |
Hernandez, Victor L |
Co A |
Died 1995 |
|
Pvt |
Hampton, Herman E |
Co A |
Died 1975 |
|
Pvt |
Cannon, A. B. |
Co A |
Died 1996 |
|
Pvt |
Twilley, John C |
Co A |
KIA - 24 Oct 44 |
|
Pvt |
Pupich, Matt F |
Co A |
Died 1995 |
|
Pfc |
Herbst, Donald M |
Co A |
Died 1967 |
|
Pvt |
Alvarez, Manuel |
Co A |
KIA 20 Sep 44 |
|
Pfc |
Gutierrez, Raul |
Medic |
Died 2004 |
|
Cpl |
Kinman, Marion E |
Co A |
Died 2002 |
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