media-47502.jpeg UPL 47502 Photo of S/Sgt Harry Jeranian taken while he was assigned to the 96th BG.

In May 1944, Harry showed up at the 96th Bomb Group, at Snetterton, England, as the Ball Turret Gunner on the crew of LT Robert Eugene Atwood. He went on to fly 26 combat missions while with the 96th BG. During this time, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant.

Then, in late August, or the first couple of days of September, Harry was transferred to the 493rd Bomb Group, at Debach, England. He reported to the 493rd BG, on September 9, 1944, along with S/Sgt Patrick T. Kelly (also from the 96th BG) and they were assigned to the 863rd BS. On October 31, Harry was issued temporary duty orders sending him to No. 10 School of Technical Training, located at RAF Station Kirkham, Lancashire, for a 9 day course in Sighting and Harmonization (for machine guns). Harry didn't fly any combat missions with the 493rd BG. He was likely a Gunnery Instructor with the 863rd BG. On January 13, 1945, he was promoted to Technical Sergeant. We don't have any records showing when Harry left the 493rd BG. However, he married Louise Lucy Talanian, on April 18, 1945, in Bat Cave, NC. So, he likely departed the 493rd BG in March 1945. S/Sgt Harry Jeranian

This is based on my personal research on the 96th Bomb Group web page and from personal 493rd Bomb Group records I have obtained from the National Archives, College Park, MD.