Paul W Lingrel

    Lt Paul W Lingrel was with the 321st Bomb Group and in the 447th Bomb Squadron (of the 57th Bomb Wing in the 12th Air Force) and flew 50 Combat missions in the Mediterranean Theatre.  Paul flew mostly with Lt John "Buster" Burns in the "Alley Cat" #41-13176. 

    He was in the [now famous] Gen Bob Knapp Flight-over-the-Atlantic, 1st Crossing in a simgle mass without loss.... leaving Morrison Field, Florida on 12 Feb. 1943.  In his B-25 was the Pilot Lt John Burns, CP Lt McKinley Cohagan, Bombardier Lt Paul Lingrel, Eng. S/Sgt Joseph Perpich, R/G Sgt Lee Byerly, Gunner S/Sgt James Woody and Pass. of T/Sgt Henry Kittrell.

   Lt Lingrel was in the lead-ship and was the 1st B-25 Combar Crew to cross over the mainland of Italy....  he made it by a NOSE!

  Paul's nickname was "Big Moose". . . . from T/Sgt Walter Cantrell, he was one BIG guy!  Not heavy in any way, just BIG!  

Barbara Ennis Connolly, 321st Bomb Group Historian, PRINCESSBARBI_B25@msn.com