Paul Jones Stach

Military
media-28126.jpeg UPL 28126 L-R: Captain Neely, Captain Paul J Stach. 453BS, 323BG, 9AF.

Object Number - UPL 28126 - L-R: Captain Neely, Captain Paul J Stach. 453BS, 323BG, 9AF.

Assigned to 453BS 323BG, 9AF USAAF. 65 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Caen Road Junctions C-1 and C-2, France 6-Jun-44. Major Stach was in the aircraft leading Box III on the afternoon en route to the target, when it was hit by flak near Mezidon, France.

Hit by at least three flak hits in bomb bay and wing, A/C moved out of formation allowing crew to bale out, went into spin and exploded on impact. Major Stach was seen standing in the cockpit with the escape hatch open, flames streaming from it. He never made it out. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 5527.



Awards: DSC, DFC, AM (10OLC), PH, EAME (1 x battle star).

Connections

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Units served with

Private First Class Barbara O'Brien of the Womens Army Corps, paints the nose of a B-26 Marauder (YU-Y. serial number 41-34982) nicknamed "Jolly Roger" of the 323rd Bomb Group. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publcation 4 Dec 1943.' [stamp] and '295589.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'W.A.C.S. on duty at a Bomber Station. Associated Press Photo shows:- Pfc: Barbara O'Brien painting the Jolly Roger on the nose of a Marauder with the crew looking on.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6979275
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17034866
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Photographer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16047839
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Armourer/gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 455th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12033516 / O-747005
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15082407 / O-661033
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

The wreck of a B-26 Marauder (ER-P, serial number 41-31875) of the 450th Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group, 6 March 1944. Official caption on image: "(GAD-115-1-475vG)(6-Mar-44)(A/C 41-31875 - B26 - 450BS/322BG - Battle Damage/Crash Landing)." Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Howard Posson. ER-P. Smile Again Operator.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Lady Liberty
  • Unit: 322nd Bomb Group 450th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Unit: 323rd Bomb Group 453rd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Fort Bend County, Texas 14 December 1917 Son of Frank and Stefanie [Halta] Stach.

Enlisted

Warren, Mineral Wells, TX 76067, USA 15 July 1941 Camp Wolters, Texas

Died

14270 Mézidon-Canon, France 6 June 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Caen, France 6-Jun-44. hit by at least three flak hits in bomb bay and wing, moved out of formation allowing crew to bale out, went into spin and exploded on impact. KIA. MACR 5527.

Buried

Mézidon, France 7 June 1944 Interred Mézidon cemetery

Based

Earls Colne 6 June 1944 Assigned to 453BS 323BG, 9AF USAAF.

Buried

Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial Re-Interred Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial

Buried

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio Bexar County TX Re-Interred Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio Bexar County Texas, USA

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
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Contributordecwriter
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Sources

Received DSC under GO #38, Hq. European Theater of Opr. 3-17-45 Missing in Action

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributordecwriter
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NARA files verified DFC and AM w/10 Oak Leaf Clusters. He earned at least one bronze star device on the EAME Campaign Medal.

Date
ContributorJMF
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Sources

JMF

Date
ContributorJMF
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Sources

JMF

Date
ContributorAAM
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Sources

Combat Chronology, WWII Memorial, Marauder Men / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Paul Jones Stach: Gallery (1 items)