William C Coursen

T/Sgt William C "BILL" Coursen was an original in the WWII General Bob Knapp's (now famous) Flight over the Atlantic with B-25 Mitchells in a single mass without loss".  leaving from Morrison Field Fla. 12 Feb.1943 and flying the Southern Route "HOP" to Africa.

12 Feb 1943, SNAFU #41-12930 was one of the ships in the Knapp Flight Over. page 22, Bill flew Over in the Engineer's Position.  http://57thbombwing.com/321stHistory/321_BG_1943-02.pdf

Bill's 1st Combat Mission, 16 Mar. 1943 to Ain Ghrasesia, N Africa. in the SNAFU, He is an Engineer.

Bill was so excellent at the Engineering Mechanics of the B-25 that he was promoted to Crew Chief in the 447th Bomb Squadron.  He received a BRONZE STAR for Excellence.

21 May, 2006 Barbi to Terry;   Hi Terry, just checking in.  I am making progress, I have a question,  please,  Ed came back with 2 gold coins, from his survival pack.  Walter Cantrell sold his in Africa,  and Bernie Quilty still has his.  Would you ask your Dad if he remembers ?  Hoping all is well,  I check-out your site now and then for new photo's of the kids !  Blessings,  Barbara 23 May, 2006 from Bill's proud son Terry to Barbi Ennis Connolly;   Dad said they received the survival pack before they left for Africa.  Dad had 1 gold coin. He said it was a small gold coin, but could not remember how many francs it was.  He said it was worth $13.00 in American money. In Tunis, there was a Jeweler who was buying them. Dad sold his for $72.00. He couldn't remember, but thought he used the money to buy candy & some other things. He said it was hard to get candy.

321st Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Squad HISTORY

Trip over: "Gen Bob Knapp's [now famous] Flight across the Atlantic in a single mass with out loss/ Southern Route"

  A/C No.  41-12930 “SNAFU” P Brinkley, Hamilton M., 1Lt CP Brinkley, Wilton R., 2Lt N Hartis, John G., 2Lt B N/A E Coursen, William C., T/Sgt R Stanton, James E. “Jim”, T/Sgt G Gouvin, Henry J., S/Sgt F N/A

 16 Mar 43:

  A/C No.   41-12930 “SNAFU” P Brinkley, Hamilton M., 1Lt CP

Brinkley, Wilton R., 2Lt

N Hartis, John G., 2Lt B None listed – likely the navigator

E

 

 

  Coursen, William C., T/Sgt

R

Stanton, James E. “Jim”, T/Sgt G Gouvin, Henry J., S/Sgt F None

 

 

28 Dec 43 - 447th BS War Diary:  About 8:30 this morning one of the tents in the area literally went down in flames.  The fire was started by the wind blowing sparks from a near-by trash pile against the tent.  The tent itself was a complete loss as well as the greater part of the personal equipment within.  The members of the tent, none of whom were at home when the fire broke out, were:  T/Sgt. Bruns, T/Sgt. Coursen, T/Sgt. Nieman, S/Sgt. Brandt, and Cpl. Holland.  All the personal possessions of Cpl. Holland, who was in the hospital at the time, were totally burned.  The following left for rest camp at Capri:  1st Lts. E.P. Mayben, R.P. Dunn, H.W. Stephenson, S/Sgts. W.P. Franklin, N.J. Batteiger, R.R. Fiorello, E.C. Ennis, and Sgt. A. Zacharya. 

Batteiger, Norman J., S/Sgt, gunner               Brandt, George F., S/Sgt, engineering

Bruns, Robert E., T/Sgt, engineering             

*** Coursen, William C.  T/SgtC.  T/Sgt,  engineer-  ******** 

Dunn, Robert P., 2Lt, pilot                             Ennis, Edward C., T/Sgt, radio-gunner

Fiorello, Thomas R., S/Sgt, gunner                 Franklin, Willie P., S/Sgt, bombardier, gunner

Holland, Patrick H., Cpl, engineering            Mayben, Ernest P., Jr., 1Lt, bombardier

Niemann, Harry C., T/Sgt, engineering           

 Stephenson, Henry W. “Steve”, 1Lt, pilot

Zacharya, Andrew, S/Sgt, gunner

  

He is best known as Crew Chief for Wiginton and the Paper Doll :)

 

25 Nov. 2009;  Bill's son Terry to Barbi;

JOSHUA & KAMI  HAD A BABY BOY THIS MORNING. AFTER GIVING KAMI MEDICINE FOR 2 NIGHTS, TRYING TO INDUCE LABOR, KAMI TOLD THE DOCTOR THIS MORNING, TO GO AHEAD AND DO A C-SECTION. EVERYONE IS DOING FINE. JOSHUA , ACCIDENTALLY STOOD UP AND LOOKED WHEN THEY OPENED HER UP , OR AFTER THEY HAD TAKEN THE BABY, AND PASSED OUT. LOL.  HE IS OKAY, THOUGH.   NAME: BABY COURSEN SO FAR.   WEIGHT: 8 1/2 POUNDS.   LENGTH: 23 INCHES.  HEALTHY BABY.  KAMI SEEMS TO BE DOING FINE. OUR DAUGHTER , TRICIA IS THERE KEEPING GRANDMA'S CALM. HA!   AND PAPA IS AT HERE AT HOME, WITH A BOUT OF VERTIGO.  GOOD GRIEF.  JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW.  TAKE CARE.  TC

Kami Coursen's photo's of Bill's Great-Great-GrandSon CARTER.

It's official...Carter is walking this week:)  It's so cute, but also sad that this first year is flying by too quickly.  I have attempted to enjoy every moment, though.  He's still wobbly, but that makes it all the more cute.  He put Gavin's duck suit on the other day, and walking in it seemed to go better than in his own clothes.

He makes a lot of cute faces.  For the most part, his favorite expression is his smile, as long as he's not too tired.  He's started to make this face like he's getting ready to either cry or say something...but then just smiles; it's pretty funny.

He plays a game with his dad...he gets inside his Baby Einstein tunnel and sits up and waits for Josh to go looking in the two ends.  Oh how he laughs and carries on when Josh "discovers" him!

We joined the Hovis, Ward & Couren's for Harrisville trick-or-treating last night...Carter had his choice of costumes, but with the chilly temps we opted for the warm and fuzzy Pooh Bear.  However, Josh and I felt just a bit awkward holding out a bag for treats, when Carter wont be eating any of it...we had our first OVERT situation of "USING" Carter!!!!  Aunt Bette Gail sent a halloween treat box over with Darlene for Carter...Josh & I enjoyed it thoroughly!  

We are actively planning his 1st Birthday party, now....crazy to think that on Thanksgiving Day our little baby will be a year old!!!!