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359th Sirany Crew George R. Sirany, Pilot |
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GEORGE R. SIRANY CREW - 359th BS
(crew assigned 359BS: 21 Apr 1944 - photo: 23 Apr 1944)
(Back L-R) 2Lt Warren D. Ehrke (N), Capt Henry G. Prussman (B),
2Lt James H. Batton (CP), Capt George R. Sirany (P)
(Front L-R)
S/Sgt Frank V. McPherson (TG),
T/Sgt Cecil J. See (LWG),
S/Sgt Robert C. Umberger (RWG),
T/Sgt Everett E. Van Horn (R),
S/Sgt Gordon E. Bale (BT),
T/Sgt Thomas O. Stephenson (E)
(Ranks and Grades at time of last combat mission)
Forty-Four Dispatched (42 credited) combat missions of Capt George R. Sirany:
As Assigned Crew Pilot - (30 credited missions) 146 (7 May 1944), 147, 149, 150, 151(FTO), 152, 155, 157, 158(A), 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 170, 171, 172(AS), 175, 176, 177, 179,
181, 182(LC), 184, 186, 191(LC), 194, 201(LC), 202, 203 (13 July 1944)
As Lead Crew Pilot - (12 credited missions) 262, 272, 274, 277, 285, 298B, 315, 317 ,332, 349, 352, 363 20 April 1945).
(FTO) Non-credited - Failed to Take off after ground accident
(A) Non credited aborted mission -- (AS) Credited Abortive Sortie - Failed to drop bombs
(LC) Lead crew mission
For Mission dates, targets and Mission Reports, see Combat Missions.
Crew Notes:
- Capt George R. Sirany (P) - As Crew Pilot - Two missions as CoPilot with an experienced Combat Pilot (1Lt William E. Eisenhart) - 146, 150. Others as First Pilot. Signed up for a second combat tour and became a Lead Crew Pilot. Completed First combat tour on 13 July 1944. Last mission on second tour 20 April 1945.
- 2Lt James H. Batton (CP) - 30 credited missions flown as CoPilot: With Capt Sirany - 20 missions (147, 149, 151, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 170, 171, 172, 174(AS), 175, 176, 177, 186, 194; With other Pilots - 10 missions (146, 150, 169, 178, 183, 185, 187, 192, 197, 204. Completed combat tour on 16 July 1944.
- 1Lt Warren D. Ehrke (N) - 30 credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 20 missions (146, 147, 149, 150, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 170, 171, 172, 174, 177, 186, 194) With other Pilots - 10 missions (167, 180, 182, 187(LC), 197, 199(LC), 207(LC), 212(LC), 213, 216(LC). Completed combat tour on 1 Aug 1944.
- Capt Henry R. Prussman (B) - 27 credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 15 missions (146,147, 149, 150, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 165, 170, 171). With other Pilots - 12 missions (167 Lead crews -183, 187, 190, 198, 201, 207, 208, 213, 214, 218, 224. Last mission flown on 9 August 1944.
- T/Sgt Thomas O. Stephenson (E/WG) - 24 credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 22 missions - As Engineer (146, 147, 149, 150, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 161, 162, 164, 170, 171, 172, 174, 177, 179, 181). As Waist Gunner [165, 175, 182(LC)]; With other Pilots - 2 missions 234, 236). Last mission flown on 5 Sept 1944. Was wounded on mission 182, 16 June 1944, and spent several days in the 303rd Station Hospital where he was visited by some of his fellow crew members.
- T/Sgt Everett E. Van Horn (R) - 34 credited mission flown: With Capt Sirany - 30 missions; With other Pilots - 4 missions (199(LC), 201(LC), 202, 203). Last mission flown on 13 July 1944.
- S/Sgt George E. Bale (BTG) - 31 Credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 30 missions; With other Pilot - 1 mission [204(LC)]. Last mission flown 16 July 1944.
- S/Sgt Robert C. Umberger (WG) - 26 Credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 19 missions (146, 147, 149, 150, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 177, 179, 182(LC), 184(LC), 186, 191(LC), 194, 201(LC), 202, 203); With other Pilots - 7 missions (204(LC), 213(LC), 216(LC), 234(LC) 236, 237, 238). Last mission flown on 9 August 1944.
- T/Sgt Cecil J. See (WG/E) -31 Credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 26 missions- As Waist Gunner (146, 147, 149, 150, 152, 155, 157, 159, 160, 170, 171, 174). As Top Turret Gunner (172, 177, 179, 181). As Engineer/Top Turret Gunner (175, 176, 182(LC), 184(LC), 186, 191(LC), 194, 201(LC), 202, 203); With other Pilots - 5 missions (204(LC), 213(LC), 223, 224, 225). Last mission flown on 11 August 1944.
- S/Sgt Frank V. McPherson (TG) - 31 Credited missions flown: With Capt Sirany - 30 missions - Mission 184 flown as Waist Gunner; With other Pilots - 1 mission [204(LC)
Mission Note - Failed to Take Off:
Mission 151, 11 May 1944 - While taxing into takeoff position the hydraulic system on
#42-97272 Duchess Daughter (359BS) BN-T failed. 2Lt George R. Sirany (P) suddenly
had no brakes and his B-17 taxied into B-17 #42-97284 Ain't Misbeahavin (359BS) BN-S
and then swung around and hit #42-97058 Scorchy II (359BS) BN-V. All three BG-17s were damaged and unable to participate in the scheduled combat mission to Saarbrucken and Volkingen, Germany.
[Researched by Harry D. Gobrecht, 303rdBGA Historian Emeritus]