Tech Sergeant Joseph Francis Mason, 32421770 USAAF

Joseph Francis Mason, 32421770 Tech Sergeant USAAF

Born 2 October 1914 Avondale, Newfoundland, Canada

Died 19 August 1969 Rye, Westchester, New York

Radio Operator-Waist Gunner on a B-26 Marauder Airplane

386th Bombardment Group, 552nd Bombardment Squadron

9th Air Force, European Theater of Operations

Enlisted 5 August 1942 Fort Jay Governor’s Island, New York

Graduation Class: Flexible Gunnery Class 43-16

Honorably Discharged: 9 September 1945

In Sections 15 and 16 at Tyndall Field, Florida

Class Location: Initial HQ Army Air Forces Training Center Chicago Illinois & – Gunnery

Student at HQ ARMY Air Forces Gunnery School, Tyndall Field, Florida

Records show Joseph earned at least 8 Oak Leaf Clusters

Joe Flew 76 Missions from 3 November 1943- 17 July 1944 Total Combat Time 250:40

Awards: Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross

August 5, 1942 - letter from the Fort Jay Recruiting and Induction Center to report on August 19, 1942 for active duty. Also granted a 14 furlough to receive that reporting date.

Undated – initial training document from HQ Army Air Forces Training Center, 720 S. Mich. Blvd. Chicago, Illinois. Site for training are Stevens Hotel, Congress Hotel and Coliseum (converted for classrooms. Lodging and meeting rooms will be in the hotels.

April 9, 1943 – Memorandum to: Each Gunnery Student at HQ ARMY Air Forces Gunnery School,

Tyndall Field, Florida (about 12 miles East of Panama City, Florida. Tyndall Field -

April 20, 1943 – Student listing includes Pvt. Joseph F. Mason 32421770 (to be Sgt (Temp) Radio Operator and Mechanic Gunners).

May 18, 1943 – from HQ 335th Bombardment Group (M), Barksdale Field, La., Details regular and frequent aerial flights for Joseph F Mason Sgt. Radio Gunner (along with others listed). Barksdale

January 28, 1944 - Letter awarding Air Medal for 5 support Bombing Missions. Lists home address as 406 East 153rdStreet, Bronx. Letter issued from IX Bomber Command (9th Army Air Force) APO # 638.

March 22, 1944 – from HQ 9th Air Force APO 696 awards to 386th Bombardment Group (M),

552nd Bombardment Squadron (M) awarded an Oak Leaf Cluster for the Air Medal to Sgt Joseph F Mason

March 27, 1944 – Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded a 2nd Oak Leaf cluster for completing 5 operational

April 1, 1944 – Sgt Joseph F Mason promoted to Staff Sergeant (Temp)

April 20, 1944 - Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded 4th Oak Leaf Cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross while serving as a Radio Operator-Gunner on a B-26 airplane on twenty-five bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. Sgt. Mason, displaying keen professional skill, was an integral in the successful completion of these missions. His undaunted bravery and imperturbable coolness under the most trying circumstances reflects credit on himself and the Military Forces of the United States.

May 6, 1944 –S/Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded the Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of the Fifth Bronze Oak

1944 - S/Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded Sixth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

May 23, 1944 - S/Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded Seventh Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

May 27, 1944 - S/Sgt Joseph F Mason awarded Eighth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster.

June 23, 1944 – T/Sgt Joseph F Mason assigned to Temp Completed by T/Sgt Temporary Duty (TDY) –

7 days “Authorized for Mont Alwa at Air Force Rest Homes” Allowed $2, 00 for rations and $2, 00 for quarters.

Undated – Confidential Combat Sorties Completed By T/Sgt. Joseph F. Mason – (RG) – 32421770

1st mission – 3 Nov 43

76th Mission – 17 July 44

All but 12 missions provide the location targeted for that Sortie.

Total Combat Time 250:40

July 28-31, 1944 – Permanent change of station HQ 12th Replacement Control Depot APO 635 for T/Sgt

September 20, 1944 – T/Sgt Joseph F Mason Reassigned to 815th AAF Base Unit, Malden Army Air Field, Malden, Missouri effective September 23, 1944.

October 26, 1944 - T/Sgt Joseph F Mason is detailed to duty involving flying and to remain on flying status until properly relieved.

August 31, 1945 – Sedalia Army Air Field, Warrensburg, Missouri - T/Sgt Joseph F Mason to proceed to Ft. Dix, NJ for consummation of Discharge from US Army. Leave on 5 Sept 45 and arrive 7 Sept 45 Sedalia Army Air Field.