C-47 #43-48716, "Luck Of the Irish" Restoration Thread

[patelie]

Hi

CC : Dennis F. O'Connor Jr - 32405987 - T/Sgt. - Bronx, N.Y.
RO : Harold E. Harris - 35405046 - S/Sgt. - Lockbourne - Ohio
All two were with Frome on D-Day in 071 and during Varsity in 716

I don't know when the picture was taken because all five were not in the same plane on D-day nor in Varsity. The picture is in the History of the 435th edited in 1946 (with other combat crew)
Pictures of 75th TCS combat crew were taken probably after september 1943 and sure before june 1944.
Frome, Bussman, O'Connor and Harris were assigned in the same plane, Flight B in September 1943 but without navigator.

James C. Brady, Navigator was transfered from the squadron to the 437th TCG in February 1944

==> pictures of combat crew which are in the group history were taken between September 1943 and February 1944

Marcellus F. Bussman - O-618116 - Santa Rosa, Calif
Bussman was also Pilot. On D-day he was left wingman (CN #36 in 42-100879) in the same element than Frome (right wingman, CN#35 in 42-92071)

During Varsity Frome flew with (CP) Jesse T. Slusher - O-775605 - Seattle - Wash.

And Edward W. Frome - O-799371 - Baltimore, MD

Last edited by patelie on Sun Jun 02, 2013 12:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[patelie]

Now you have just to find if O'Connor, Harris and Slusher are still alive.. All of them flew also in 716
It would be Great !

[flightsimer]

Two Questions i have on chalk numbers.

Would the planes carry the same chalk number from operation to operation?

Would our plane have had a chalk number for either of the two flights over Bastogne or the flight for varsity? I would believe of any of the three flights, it would have been varsity as they towed gliders vs just dropping cargo over the bulge.

I did not see anything mentioned in the diary on chalk numbers for our plane or any plane for these flights.

[Chappie]

Two Questions i have on chalk numbers.

Would the planes carry the same chalk number from operation to operation?

Would our plane have had a chalk number for either of the two flights over Bastogne or the flight for varsity? I would believe of any of the three flights, it would have been varsity as they towed gliders vs just dropping cargo over the bulge.

I did not see anything mentioned in the diary on chalk numbers for our plane or any plane for these flights.

I don't know about WWII, but in my experience with the ANG- Chalk numbers are random. If there are six planes taking us somewhere they are number 1 thru 6. If there were six totally different airplanes bringing us home the numbers would again Chalks 1 thru 6.

On the two flights over Bastogne your C-47 likely had a different Chalk number on each flight, if it had a number at all. Chalks are usually used when carrying passengers.....that way we know what plane to get on board!

Just my two bit answer, hopefully someone here knows a little more than me.

Chappie

[Pathfinder]

Chappie is correct...a C-47 on ops would have a different number from mission to mission.chalk

[Pathfinder]

According to NARA O'Connor was born in 1918. He was from Bronx, NY. Will try to determine current status.

Found this...
http://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%2018 ... 202501.pdf

[flightsimer]

Chalks are usually used when carrying passengers.....that way we know what plane to get on board!
Chappie

Thats what I thought which is why I was skeptical of it having a number over the bulge, but would it have had a number when it towed two gliders. Im sure the gliders would have the numbers, but would the goon have one as well?

Chappie is correct...a C-47 on ops would have a different number from mission to mission.chalk

Thanks for confirming.

[Pathfinder]

Given Name: Dennis
Middle Name: F
Surname: Oconnor
Birth Date: 2 October 1918
Social Security Number: 104-xx-xxxx
State: New York
Last Place of Residence: Bronx, New York
Previous Residence Postal Code: 10466
Event Date: 29 December 1991
Age: 73

[Pathfinder]

I believe O'Connor's son is Denis (one N) F. O'Connor of Narragansett, RI.

His name was associated is Dennis (two Ns) F. O'Connor age 94 of the Bronx.

[flightsimer]

I Just want to keep things straight in my head, or in text... I am familiar with civilian positions, but not so much with military.

Ironically, its the actual cockpit crew im least familar with, so is it:

Captain = Aircraft Commander
First Officer = ?
Flight Engineer = Same
Navigator = Same
Radio Operator = Same
Load Master = Same

What position was each person within the crew?

Varsity Aircrew
Capt. Edward W. Frome
2nd Lt. Jesse T. Slusher
S/Sgt. Harold E. Harris
T/Sgt. Dennis T. O'Connor

Battle of the Bulge Aircrew
- 24th december with Bussman, Mack, Bell and Austin
- 26th December with Frome, Slusher, O'Connor and Soltess

And from the picture
first Row (L-R) : O'Connor - Harris
second Row (L-R) : Brady - Frome - Bussman

[Pathfinder]

Tyler--

O'Connor's middle initial is F....not T.

[flightsimer]

Tyler--

O'Connor's middle initial is F....not T.

I copied that from the normandy thread i started earlier in the year.

However, I just went back to the War Diary and his name is listed as Dennis T O'Connor as being a crewmember for Varsity.

[Pathfinder]

The newspaper account I linked above indicates F...

NARA posting for the serial number is F

Patrick's information is F

SSDI indicates F

It is the little things in forensic studies that can lead you in the wrong direction...

[patelie]

Thats what I thought which is why I was skeptical of it having a number over the bulge, but would it have had a number when it towed two gliders. Im sure the gliders would have the numbers, but would the goon have one as well?

Hi

I don't agree with you.. Chalk number were used each time there was a combat mission with a flight in formation. I am mainly focused on D-day and I cann't give you chalk numbers for other missions BUT :
On D-day (6 and 7 june) CN were used for paradrops missions, for resupply missions and gliders missions
And gliders were wearing not only Chalk numbers but also A/B numbers.

T/Sgt. Dennis T. O'Connor

I agree with Dave. middle initial is 'F' Check also in the diary I sent you. G.O. #41 - Hq IX TCC dated 14 April 1945. In the list of the award of third bronze oak leaf cluster.

What position was each person within the crew?

Varsity Aircrew
Capt. Edward W. Frome (P)
2nd Lt. Jesse T. Slusher (CP)
S/Sgt. Harold E. Harris (RO)
T/Sgt. Dennis F. O'Connor (CC)

Battle of the Bulge Aircrew
- 24th december with Bussman (P), Mack (CP), Bell (CC) and Austin (RO)
- 26th December with Frome (P), Slusher (CP), O'Connor (CC) and Soltess (RO)

And from the picture (picture which was taken many months before 716 arrive in ETO)
(I gave you the positions in my precedent message)
first Row (L-R) : O'Connor (CC) - Harris (RO)
second Row (L-R) : Brady (N) - Frome (P) - Bussman (CP)

[flightsimer]

Thats what I thought which is why I was skeptical of it having a number over the bulge, but would it have had a number when it towed two gliders. Im sure the gliders would have the numbers, but would the goon have one as well?

Hi

I don't agree with you.. Chalk number were used each time there was a combat mission with a flight in formation. I am mainly focused on D-day and I cann't give you chalk numbers for other missions BUT :
On D-day (6 and 7 june) CN were used for paradrops missions, for resupply missions and gliders missions
And gliders were wearing not only Chalk numbers but also A/B numbers.

T/Sgt. Dennis T. O'Connor

I agree with Dave. middle initial is 'F' Check also in the diary I sent you. G.O. #41 - Hq IX TCC dated 14 April 1945. In the list of the award of third bronze oak leaf cluster.

interesting...

I guess it was just a typo then within the actual diary for the varsity briefing. it wouldnt be the first I saw. Didn't think to look at the end of the month for awards though to confirm the "T".