42-93098

D-Day, first Pathfinder crew. Serial #1 Chalk #1 UPL 28821 UPL 28821 Chalk #1, Serial #1 - C-47 42-93098 and crew.

Standing L to R: Nav Capt William Culp, Pilot Lt Col Joel L Crouch, Radio Cpl Harold E Coonrod, Co-pilot Capt Vito S Pedone.
Kneeling L to R: Surgeon Capt Edward E Cannon, Crew Chief Edward F. Laurendeau

personnal knowledge.

Object Number - UPL 28821 - Chalk #1, Serial #1 - C-47 42-93098 and crew. Standing L to R: Nav Capt William Culp, Pilot Lt Col Joel L Crouch, Radio Cpl Harold E Coonrod,...

Assigned to IX TCC Pathfinder School, IX TCC, 9AF USAAF. Serial #1 Chalk #1 D-Day - Lead A/C carrying initial stick of pathfinders of 502nd PIR to drop zone A, St-Germain-de-Varreville [Crew: Pilot Lt Col Joel L Crouch, Co-pilot Capt Vito S Pedone, Surgeon Capt Edward E Cannon, Navigator Capt William Culp, Radio Operator Cpl Harold E Coonrod, Crew Chief Edward F. Laurendeau].



Assigned to 94TCS, 439TCG Failed to Return (FTR) glider tow mission to Groesbeck, Holland. Hit by flak, glider released, A/C put down in successful forced landing Schouwen Island, Holland. Crew came under mortar and rifle fire from nearby bunker, supposedly, as it was assumed the A/C was carrying paratroops. 4 x POW, 1 x KIA. 18-Sep-44. MACR 9838.



Video from 5&6th June 44 :- http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675058906_Allied-pathfinders_North-…

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

Joseph Albert Beck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 439th Troop Carrier Group 60th Troop Carrier Group 94th Troop Carrier Squadron 12th Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-402363
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
D-Day, first Pathfinder crew to be back after mission over Normandy

Edward Elijah Cannon

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: IX Air Force Troop Carrier Command
  • Service Numbers: O-1821169
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Surgeon
D-Day, first Pathfinder crew to be back after mission over Normandy

Harold Everett Coonrod

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: IX Air Force Troop Carrier Command
  • Service Numbers: 17098857
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
D-Day, first Pathfinder crew. Serial #1 Chalk #1

Joel Lee Crouch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: IX Air Force Troop Carrier Command
  • Service Numbers: O-309751
  • Highest Rank: Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
D-Day, first Pathfinder crew to be back after mission over Normandy

William Culp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: IX Air Force Troop Carrier Command
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Aerial photograph of Upottery airfield looking west, the main runway runs vertically, barrack sites are to the bottom right of the airfield, 15 March 1944. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/CT/91/541. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Upottery

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Smeatharpe

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Serial #1 Chalk #1 D-Day

50480 Saint-Germain-de-Varreville, France 6 June 1944 Serial #1 Chalk #1 D-Day - Lead A/C carrying initial stick of pathfinders of 502nd PIR to drop zone A, St-Germain-de-Varreville 6-Jun-44 Pilot Lt Col Joel L Crouch. Departed Nth Witham/Sta 479.

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Schouwen-Duiveland, Netherlands 18 September 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) glider tow mission to Groesbeck, Holland. Hit by flak, glider released, put down in forced landing Schouwen Island, Holland. Crew came under direct fire from nearby bunker, supposedly, as it was assumed the A/C was carrying troops. 4 x POW, 1 x KIA. 18-Sep-44. MACR 9838.

Manufactured

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Built at Douglas.

Delivered

3001 S Douglas Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73130, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Assigned to 94TCS, 439TCG, 9AF USAAF

Revisions

Date
Contributorpatelie
Changes
Sources

Personnal knowledge - Correction of the crew, adding name of crew chief

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=42-93098&Submit6=Go
https://www.fold3.com/image/139139752
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19440918-8
http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=179183
The Long Road: Trials and Tribulations of Airmen Prisoners from Stalag Luft VII (Bankau) to Berlin June 44 to May 45 By Oliver Clutton-Brock, Raymond Crompton
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/drop_serie_1_3.htm
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/vietnam-mias-finally-acco…
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=67530212
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675058906_Allied-pathfinders_North-…
Airborne Operations In World War II, European Theater [Illustrated Edition] By Dr. John C. Warren
Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-Day, June 6 1944 By Joseph Balkoski

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 9838 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-93098: Gallery (1 items)

D-Day, first Pathfinder crew. Serial #1 Chalk #1

Object number: UPL 28821 - Chalk #1, Serial #1 - C-47 42-93098 and crew...