Researching WW2 Aircraft.

I have the basic information concerning a family friend who was KIA in Italy
during WW2. The information comes from the American Battle Monuments
Commission and includes his name, service number, squadron and group. How
could I determine which aircraft he was flying in and whether it carried a name
or nose art? Web searches of the squadron and group have only turned up the
most general information.

John Dupre'

In article ,
(JDupre5762) writes:
I have the basic information concerning a family friend who was KIA in Italy
during WW2. The information comes from the American Battle Monuments
Commission and includes his name, service number, squadron and group. How
could I determine which aircraft he was flying in and whether it carried a name
or nose art? Web searches of the squadron and group have only turned up the
most general information.

It sounds like you're looking for more data than "It was a B-25".

For the history of a specific aircraft, try the USAF Hisorical
Research Agency at Maxwell Air Force Base. If you can identify the
unit and date of loss, they may be able to find the appropriate
aircraft record data cards to flesh in some of the details. From
there, it _may_ be possible to locate photos of the aircraft from the
USAFHRA collection, the Air Force Museum, or the National AIr & Space
Museum. It would take a bit of luck, and some time, though.

--
Pete Stickney
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many
bad measures. -- Daniel Webster

"JDupre5762" wrote in message
...
I have the basic information concerning a family friend who was KIA in
Italy
during WW2. The information comes from the American Battle Monuments
Commission and includes his name, service number, squadron and group. How
could I determine which aircraft he was flying in and whether it carried a
name
or nose art? Web searches of the squadron and group have only turned up
the
most general information.

John Dupre'

Go to http://www.armyairforces.com/ and make a query there, I get a summary
from them every day and your request would be typical. Most groups have
very good databases with information on people and planes. Take a look
around. You may have to register for full access.

Regards,

Tex Houston

John, if there is any possibility you can do the work in Washington,
I'd ask for an interview with a researcher at the National Archives.
Likely you can find out the procedure on the web. (You used to just
turn up, but that was before 9/11.) These people are immensely
knowledgeable and helpful.

Unfortunately, U.S. records are scattered all over the country, due to
service and congressional lobbying, so that may not be the end of your
journey. But Washington is almost always the place to start, if you
don't know where to start.

Good luck!

On 27 Sep 2003 01:37:54 GMT, (JDupre5762) wrote:

I have the basic information concerning a family friend who was KIA in Italy
during WW2. The information comes from the American Battle Monuments
Commission and includes his name, service number, squadron and group. How
could I determine which aircraft he was flying in and whether it carried a name
or nose art? Web searches of the squadron and group have only turned up the
most general information.

John Dupre'

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: www.danford.net/letters.htm#9

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com