Samuel McClure Stallard

Military

On May 11, 1944 mission #351 hit by flak but returned to England with only one engine and crash landed in a field. All men aboard were saved.

Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/Clusters



Sam was born Indianapolis, IN and after 2nd marriage to Jane Kuhn had 7 children in total. Sam was a member of local LaGrange Highlands School Board & Lions Club in LaGrange, IL & a bond broker/underwriter for Shearson Hammill until his tragic death in 1976. Sam was a strong, patient, giving & kind/caring man with a commitment to always do what was right. He was always there for his family and loved by all he met.

Connections

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

Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Frederick Bickford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13070827
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Harold M Friedman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

George W E Grewe

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Richard L Rist

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Donald G Soseman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Indianopolis, Indiana 25 August 1920

Died

will edit w/correct address later 14 April 1976

Buried

LaGrange, Illinois 17 April 1976 Lyonsville Cemetary located Indian Head Park, IL

Revisions

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Contributordstallard76dad
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edited/shortened prior entry

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Contributordstallard76dad
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updated/edited prior entry

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Contributordstallard76dad
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After passing away in 1976, my mother gave me my father's WWII medals, his personal scrapbook w/pictures he took w/hand written names of his initial crew pictured in front of their plane named "Kathleen"(Sgt Bickford-low ball turret gunner, Sgt Fisher-tail gunner & Sgt Craven-waist gunner not found in museum listing). On Mission 351 of 1944-05-11 to Saarbrucken, Germany they lost 3 engines, crippled home & belly-landed in front of a hospital in a corn field saving everyone on board. Will add official account & other missions from his personal log later.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / son; and The Brotherhood of Courage: The History of the 305th Bombardment Group (h) in World War II, by Walter H. Thom, pp 157-159