SSGT. Joy L. Bedwell was an Aerial Gunner with the 12th Air Force; 57th Bombardment Wing; 321st Bombardment Group; 446th Bombardment Squadron; stationed in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, (MTO). His Hometown was Fort Worth, Texas.

446th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order 254/mission 253) Group Mission # 216: Squadron Mission 179 TARGET: Troop Concentration at Map Ref. F-9037 DATE: 19 Feb 1944 Type of Bombs: 20 lb. Frags. 446th Planes: 6 Capt. Frazer, 447th Sqdn. led the formation. Target area reported well covered. Two planes were lost and one missing (Lt. Brellenthin and crew). Flak was heavy and light, intense and accurate. Fourteen planes were holed. Groups of 6/8 to 15/20 E/A attacked in pairs after leaving target. ME-109’s, FW-190’s and one ME-210 and Vacchi 202 reported—ME’s in majority. Most attacked from rear, and some ME-109’s attacked near the target after dive-bombing. Seven ME-109’s and two FW-190’s destroyed. Two ME109’s probably destroyed. Lt. Brellenthin and crew missing. A report from a British hospital ship states that the plane crashed into the water on one wing, to avoid hitting the vessel. A life boat was lowered, but only one survivor was picked up, S/Sgt Parrish, who was unconscious, and despite artificial respiration never gained consciousness. Lt Hurley crash-landed at home base with the hydraulic system shot out and one rudder shot away. S/Sgt E.F. Martin was hit in the leg by 20mm shell fire and was hospitalized. Major Hunter came back with one rudder shot away. Lt. Walker was a spare, and returned early.

A/C B-25; Serial No. 41-30551; “Pink Lady”; MACR-2577; shot down

P Brellenthin, Harold, R., 2Lt - KIA
CP Burgess, Robert P., 2Lt - KIA
N None
B Parrish, William W., S/Sgt - KIA
E Motika, John F., S/Sgt - KIA
R Kendall, Charles C., “Spike”, T/Sgt - KIA
G Bedwell, Joy L., S/Sgt - KIA
F Blake, Charles H., S/Sgt - KIA

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360.33-Brellenthin, Harold R. (O) and crew.
1 March 1944
SUBJECT: Missing Air Crew Report.

1. The following letter was received at this office, this date, from SCOTT L. TARPLEE, Major, MC, Executive Officer, 6th Port Headquarters, Transportation Corps, dated 21 February 1955, thru the Commanding General, Peninsular Base Section, APO #782, US Army:

“1. This date the body of WILLIAM W PARRISH, ASN-14128944, was brought to the Port of Naples, Italy aboard the British Hospital Carrier “ST ANDREW”. The body had been picked up following a plane crash off Anzio, Italy at approximately 0945 hours, 19 February 1944. Death was determined as due to injuries and drowning by Capt. W. V. WALLACE, R.A.M.C., Medical Officer aboard the carrier. Among the personal effects of the deceased was an insignia with 2 wings and a bomb in its center; and a piece of paper with the deceased’s name and address--Route #1, Lithonia, Georgia. Papers were not available identifying the unit and there were no identification tags on the body.

2. The following message was received at the Port Surgeon’s Office from A. MALCOLM, Lieut-Colonel, R.A.M.C., Officer commanding Troops, Hospital Carrier “St. Andrew”:

‘At approximately 0945 hrs on 19 Feb 44, an American bombing plane was seen to be in difficulties, with smoke coming from engines and losing height. It was headed directly for the Hospital Carrier ST ANDREW and it appeared as if it must crash in the ship.

We immediately lowered a water ambulance and succeeded in recovering one man, William W. Parrish (Believed to be the bombardier) from the water and brought him on board. Artificial respiration was persisted in for two hours, oxygen was pumped in, and injections of strychnine given, but without result. The body was brought into Naples.

It would seem that this violent turn by the pilot, which may have cost him his life, was made by him in order to avoid doing damage to the ship. I very much regret that we were unable to bring back to life the rescued airman. 19 Feby/1944.

S. MALCOLM, Lt. Col., R.A.M.C., For the Surgeon

SCOTT L. TARPLEE, Major, M.C., Executive Officer

OWEN V. DWYER, 2nd Lieut., A C.,
Asst Operations Officer.
(Attachment to MAC Report, Brellenthin, Harold R. (O)
and crew, dated 1 March 1944.)

Joy L Bedwell