Samuel Brooks Shirley Jr

Military

Lt. Col. Samuel Brooks Shirley, Jr., aka Sam, Bruce, Brooks, was exceedingly honest and maintained an intelligent and creative sense of humor. He wrote plays and poems for friends and family. He believed in working hard without complaint. After retirement from the USAF, he worked for Lockheed Corporation at NASA, Houston, Texas and in Washington D.C. He served as President of the National Management Association. He loved baseball, and while stationed in Japan, he started Little League and coached in the Philippines. He built play houses for his grandchildren on the family farm. He enjoyed working on the farm and the ranch even though it was hard work to build fences and maintain cows. In 1996, he started talking about WWII, Korea, Iceland, Japan and the Philippines. His memories were accurate and have been verified through USAF records and newspaper articles. Sam recalled every crew member and described each with respect. His respect for the Japanese and Filipino people he met was evident. Sam flew 28 missions with the 94th BG, 333rd BS between October 25, 1943 and April 11, 1944. He was the pilot on the first four bombing runs on Berlin. He flew with the 8th Recon Courier Sq, 802nd Recon group from April 12, 1944 - June 16, 1944. He served in Iceland, and flew 32 aerial missions in Korea, flying C -47s for C-54s. He served in the Occupying Forces in Japan and served in the Philippines.

Crew 31 arrived in England in October, 1943: 2nd Lt. Samuel Brooks Shirley, Jr. pilot; 2nd Lt. George F. Brice, co pilot; 2nd Lt. Oliver N. Fike, Navigator; 2nd Lt. Charles W. Haarlamment, bombardier; S/Sgt. Roy R Thomas, Engineer, Assist.Engineer, gunner; S/Sgt. Albert P. Imhoff, assist. engineer, gunner; S/Sgt. Henry A. Martin, assist. radio operator and gunner; S/Sgt. Bethel H. McNeely, assist. radio operator and gunner; Sgt. George W. Swearengin, gunner; T/Sgt. Michael (NMI) Blumenberg, radio operator (he does not appear in pictures with the crew later). ___________ Wilson later joined crew as radio operator and navigator

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Units served with

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  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 331st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35447373
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Airplane Armorer-Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 458th Bomb Group 753rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 490th Bomb Group 850th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38419897
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

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Contributorjmoore43
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Capitalized the words in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.

 

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Lt. Col. Samuel Brooks Shirley, Jr. USAF records, pictures, and personal accounts; newspaper articles

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Samuel Brooks Shirley, Jr. USAF records and personal accounts; newspaper accounts

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Air force records, newspaper records, personal accounts from Samueal Brooks Shirley, Jr.

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Airforce records and newspaper articles.

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Nanci G. Silver Boice, step daughter of Samuel Brooks Shirley and daughter of Major Martin "John" Silver, who was killed in the Philippines in 1961.