DOB/DOD: November 14, 1919 (New York, NY) – January 6, 1977 (Riverside, CA); 57 years old
MARITAL STATUS 1: Married Betty Henderson of Topeka, Kansas.
MARITAL STATUS 2: Married Virgie Smith Adams Crowley Goff (1931-1998).
CHILDREN: Two daughters, Patricia G. Adams Montgomery (1953-), and Linda S. Adams Hernandez (1956-). One son, Richard (1949-).
LOCAL ADDRESS: Scribner Avenue, Norwalk
SERVICE NUMBER: 31167309
ENLISTMENT 1: August 5, 1942
DISCHARGE 1: October 22, 1945
ENLISTMENT 2: November 16, 1945
DISCHARGE 2: November 15, 1948
ENLISTMENT 3: January 19, 1949
FINAL DISCHARGE: February 20, 1963
UNIT: 578th Bomb Squadron, 392nd Bomb Group (WWII unit)
FAMILY: Born to Frederick Simon Fraser (1886-1965) and Nellie Adams (1886-1920). Adopted and raised by Ida Adams (1888-1960). No siblings.
CIRCUMSTANCES: German POW in Stalag 17.
DECORATIONS: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters (7-time recipient), Purple Heart Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters (3 time recipient), Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, Good Conduct Medal with 4 bronze loops, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Easter Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars and 1 bronze arrow head, World War II victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 bronze oak leaf clusters, and the Air Crew Member Badge.
Missing Air Crew Report Details
USAAF MACR#:#00880
Target: Vegesack
Date Lost: 8-Oct-43
Serial Number: #42-7488
Aircraft Model B-24D
Aircraft Letter:”S-Bar” 6th Mission
Aircraft Name: “HELLZADROPPIN”
Location: Oerdingen near Sullingen, Germany
Cause: According to the surviving crew member reports, their aircraft was attacked by twin-engine enemy fighters at about 23,000 feet right after target in the vicinity of Belmanhorst, Germany. The German reports indicate the crash site of the aircraft was at Oerdingen near Sullingen Germany. As a summation of all survivor testimony taken by U.S. authorities, the following individual accounts were given at the time: Waller bailed out through the bomb bay; Coe also exited that way; Donlon went out through the nose wheel door; Hanrahan bailed out of the right waist window; Adams also went out the right waist window; Bernard exited through the same opening but one crewman’s report noted a great amount of smoke in the waist of the aircraft and felt that Bernard’s parachute may not have opened; Davis left the ship through the right waist window; Buschman exited through the bomb bay; and Hoover, very badly wounded in the stomach and chest, fell from the bomb bay without a parachute. The latter crew man was later observed by another survivor lying about 500 yards from where this survivor was taken POW. The German reports noted the following: The bodies of Sgts. Hoover and Bernard were positively identified from their respective dog-tags, however, there was one “unknown” person found. No identifying tags were found on this body.
The target was the submarine and ship building yards at Vegesack, three miles northwest of Bremen. It was the second largest seaport in Germany and one of the most important for construction of the larger submarines, destroyers and other vessels. It was last bombed on 3 March 1943 when 7 of the 15 U-boat slips were severely damaged and six slightly damaged. Estimates at that time were that the damage from the raid would result in neutralizing this yard for at least a year. Heavy opposition was expected from fighters: ME-109s and 110s, FW-190s, JU-87s and JU-88s. The 576th squadron led the attack and (432) 100# bombs were released through clouds which obscured the primary and observation of results. Two aircraft were forced to turn back prior to target because of mechanical problems. About 40 enemy fighters were encountered, principally FW-190s, ME-109s, and JU-88s in about equal numbers (6 to 10); also occasional ME-110s, ME-210s, Me-401s and one JU-87. The Group suffered the loss of two B-24s, both to fighter attacks. S/Sgt Wando Newberry, 579th, was killed by flak. Twelve aircraft suffered battle damage due to flak and fighters but managed to return safely.
Crew of “HELLZADROPPIN”
Captain John G. Buschman; Pilot
2nd Lt Clarence R. Waller; Co Pilot
2nd Lt Maurice A. Donlon; Navigator
2nd Lt Robert J. Green; Bombardier
TSgt Richard S. Adams; Engineer
TSgt J. T. Hoover; Radio Operator
TSgt Jacque D. Coe; Gunner
SSgt Ray W. Davis; Gunner
SSgt Daniel J. Hanrahan; Gunner
SSgt Leo E. Bernard; Gunner
Buried in Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Road, Pensacola, Florida; Plot 35, 0, 2727
Honor Norwalk CT veterans 