military question

[Banshee7]

This is why i always ask Dan questions and not you n00bs!  WTFG Mr. Corky, sir!

[BillyD]

 

[hlbly]

guppy could you find anything out with just the name ? i also know he was commisioned just before discharge . Was shot down over italy escaped to switzerland   .

[Mustaine]

Dan you are sick. I don't know what you do for a living, but you should at minimum have a honorary position somewhere as a military historian.



If I may ask your expertise on one?

see here:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-6386088.html


Peterleus, Arthur W.
Best friends Grandfather, he was on the Polesti raid, flew in the 389th, B24 named "Blondes Away" (there are a few of them named that)
I have never been able to find solid information though he is mentioned by name in a Polesti book

he is in this picture, I forget which one (he may be 3rd from right top row





I found those online, but the site no longer exists, and so it seems has his record.

He said he did tons of missions 30+ according to him.

[Chalenge]

Technical Sergeant in WWII was the equivalent of Corporal but with technical training. A&Ps, A&Ms, radio directors, radar operators that sort of thing. The grade changed in 1948 and the rank was harder to attain requiring more time in and experience in technical areas and also no longer had much to do with airman duties.

[Guppy35]

Dan you are sick. I don't know what you do for a living, but you should at minimum have a honorary position somewhere as a military historian.



If I may ask your expertise on one?

see here:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-6386088.html


Peterleus, Arthur W.
Best friends Grandfather, he was on the Polesti raid, flew in the 389th, B24 named "Blondes Away" (there are a few of them named that)
I have never been able to find solid information though he is mentioned by name in a Polesti book

he is in this picture, I forget which one (he may be 3rd from right top row

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I found those online, but the site no longer exists, and so it seems has his record.

He said he did tons of missions 30+ according to him.

The book you  want is "Black Sunday" by Michael Hill about the Ploesti Raid.   "Blondes Away" was a B24D of the 567th BS, 389th BG.  They flew in the last element of the 389th on the Ploesti run.  The 389th suffered the lightest losses that day and were the most effective on the bomb run although they initially missed their turn.  Lloyd Hughes of the 389th got the MoH that day and they were behind him. 

Quoting from the Michael Hill book

"On the right side of the element, Lt. William Nading took "Blondes Away' towards the refinary at 275 feet.  Co-pilot  Lt. Horace Christensen recalled 'The Germans were ready with their defenses.  The German gun crews were firing at point blank range.  From the vantage of our tail end position we could see airplanes getting hit by ground fire.  The third aircraft, pilot Hughes, ahead of us had been hit and was burning, but continued through the bomb release under control.  My pilot and I talked for about two seconds and decided to go through the smoke and flames.  We headed directly for the cracking plant at an altitude about halfway up the Boiler House smokestack'.   They cleared the tallest stack by about twenty five feet as Lt. Herbert Newman, Bombardier, dropped the bombs in the spreading inferno and yelled, 'Lets get the hell out of here!'  He had good reason to exhort the pilots to make tracks.  The fuzes on their bombs would detonate in about 45 seconds."

Crew is listed as:

Pilot  William D Nading
Co-Pilot Horace H Christensen
Navigator Charles W Weinberg
Bombardier Herbert J Newman
Radio Op  Stanley Brayouich
Top Turret Allen L Nix
Waist Gunner Lloyd Calkins
Waist Gunner Victor Leyva
Tail Gunner Joseph Fussi
Ball Turret Arthur W. Peterleus

Code letter on "Blondes Away" was H

I imagine he's in one of those low tail end birds in this photo taken from one of the leading 389th 24s over the target.  Note how low they are.

[Guppy35]

guppy could you find anything out with just the name ? i also know he was commisioned just before discharge . Was shot down over italy escaped to switzerland   .

Don't know.  Couldn't hurt to try though

[Masherbrum]

Dan is about as close to Saint on here, as one can be.   Why?   He not only enjoys making fun of the very game we enjoy playing, but he has another good trait.

In the over 6 years I've been playing AH, he's tracked down hundreds of these requests.   Yes, I said Saint.   You're a credit to gentlemen Dan.   you're also a damn fine friend that I will meet up with, one day.   

[jollyFE]

TXmom..that book is great.was required reading when I went through the NCO Academy a few years ago.

[A8balls]

Also make note that many NCOs served as pilots as well. I knew enlisted pilots when I was in the Marines. Most were offered commissions to 1lt or Cpt, but the hard-core NCOs usually refused them. NCOs flew fighters, transports and bombers during WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam in combat and support roles. I had my turn-up and taxi license in the Marines while a Corporal. While stationed at MCAS Cherry point, I was "grounded" for 30 days for taxiing a RF-4B at almost 200 kts, on a closed runway, going to the turn-up ramp . I believe the Marines discontinued enlisted pilots in 1973 or 1974.

[Delirium]

Dan is about as close to Saint on here, as one can be. 

Corky/Guppy/Dan has to be the most loved guy within AH... he doesn't take things seriously and will take the shirt off his back to help someone out.

[Murdr]

I just looked at this thread for the first time.  One person sprang to mind as being able to come up details on this veterens service quickly, before even reading any replies.

Any questions on why everyone and their brother shows up when Dan is harassed with petty nonsense on the boards?

[The Fugitive]

Any questions on why everyone and their brother shows up when Dan is harassed with petty nonsense on the boards?

..... cause he pays us?   

[hlbly]

Otis Lee was his name .

[Mustaine]

<S> Dan great info!! I will point him this way to see.