Marvin Lee Lutes’ (Service no. 35092141), World War II Service Timeline:

1. Muster date, 30 Jun. 1942, Edinburg, Indiana, USA; Lutes signs his “WWII Draft Registration Card."

2. Official enlistment date, 11 Feb. 1943 (as per “WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946), Edinburg, Indiana, USA, rank Private.

· NOTE: An article from ‘The Franklin Evening Star,’ Franklin, Indiana, 13 Feb. 1943, p. 1., mentions, “…Acting corporal of the contingent Thursday was Marvin L. Lutes, son of Mr. and Mrs. John R. Lutes, of Edinburg…” Is the newspaper wrong with Lutes’ rank, or was he temporarily raised to the rank of Corporal, from a lowly Private, so soon after his enlistment into the Army? https://www.newspapers.com/image/83244718

3. 26 May 1943, Harlingen Army Air Base, Private Marvin L. Lutes receives his Aerial Gunner Wings’, along with nine other Indiana men after completing training courses at the army gunnery school: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlingen_Air_Force_Base

(From, News bite about Lutes receiving aerial gunnery wings, ‘The Franklin Evening Star,’ Franklin, Indiana, 26 May 1943, p. 6., https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80975483/marvin-l-lutes-receives-his-aerial/

4. Pvt. Lutes receives promotion to, “…the grade of Private First Class. He is now enrolled in the Keelsler B-24 Liberator mechanics school at Keesler [Army Air Base] Field, Biloxi, Mississippi.

(From, “Gets Promotion,” ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ 10 Jun. 1943, p. 1., https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80971309/marvin-lee-lutes-gets-promotion/

5. Now a Staff Sergeant, Marvin Lutes is stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis%E2%8%93Monthan_Air_Force_Base ), Tucson, Arizona. He is said to be, “…completing his training for combat duty as a crew member of a B-24 Liberator bomber and soon will go overseas to a combat area…”

(From, “Edinburg Man Training As B-24 Combat Crew Member,” ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ 29 Feb. 1944, p. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88512890/ssgt-marvin-l-lutes-training-for/ )

6. According to a News Bite from, ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ 9 Mar. 1944, p. 1., “The new address of Sgt. Marvin Lutes of Edinburg is, Marvin L. Lutes, 35092141, 486th Bomb. Grp., 835th Bomb. Sqd. (H). A.P.O. 9721, New York, N.Y.” (https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80978716/new-temporary-address-for-sgt-marvin/)

· This address is the last U.S. stop for Sgt. Marvin L. Lutes, before travelling with his unit, the 835th Bomb. Group, to Royal Air Force Base Sudbury, England.

7. Late March/April, 1944, the 486th Bombardment Group, and all of its squadrons (832nd, 833rd, 834th, and the 835th) arrives in Royal Air Force Base (RAF) Sudbury, Sudbury, Suffolk, England. This is where they will assist the 8th Air Force in bombardment sorties into enemy occupied Europe beginning in early May. SEE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Sudbury AND https://americans.sudburysuffolk.co.uk/life-and-death-with-the-486th-bomb-group/

8. 16th Oct. 1944, Lutes arrives at Army Air Forces Redistribution Station No. 2, Miami Beach, Florida:

“…Medical examinations and classification interviews at this post, one of three

distribution stations operated by the AAF [Army Air Force] Personnel Distribution command for AAF returnee officers and enlisted men, will determine his new assignment. He will remain here about two weeks, much of which will be devoted to rest and recreation…” (From, “Sgt. Lutes At Miami Air Base,” ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ Edinburg, Indiana, p.1., https://www.newspapers.com/image/125246653/?terms=Sgt.%20Lutes%20At%20Miami%20Air%20Base&match=1

9. T/Sgt Lutes weds Miss Josephine Baricer, of Biloxi, Mississippi, on 11 Dec. 1944, at the bride’s brother’s home in Biloxi. The Rev. Father Herbert Mullin presided. The couple honeymooned along the coast and then would set up house at B11 East Howard Ave., Biloxi, Mississippi. (From, “Couple Wedded In Biloxi, Miss.” ‘The Franklin Evening Star,’ Franklin, Indiana, 18 Dec. 1944, p. 4.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60343069/franklin-evening-star-franklin/ )

10. T/Sgt Lutes is stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, and, according to the news paper’s account of his wedding, is taking a refresher course (see #3). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keesler_Air_Force_Base

11. Late January, 1945, T/Sgt Lutes goes back to England, and back to Royal Air Force Base Sudbury, to spend more time with the 486th Bombardment Squadron, flying various missions with its other squadrons. Also, he may have been tapped to work with the air field’s Grounds Crews, since he was a trained aircraft mechanic, and/or been used as an instructor in the base’s classrooms. For instance, on the 30th March, 1944, Lutes flew with Lt. Willis P. Smith’s 834th crew, with Robert Whitney acting as ‘Air Leader’ on the mission. The mission number was 175/8th Air Force 918, and the targets were Bremen, Farge, Hamburg, and Wilhelmshafen/Bauhaben (https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1038). This mission is mentioned in a news article in ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’

where it says, “…The biggest bombing raid he was on was over Hamburg where they blasted oil refineries…” ( https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60342514/edinburg-daily-courier-edinburg/)

12. Late July to August, 1945, the 486th Bombardment Group’s World War II assignments ends and it and its four Squadrons, 832nd, 833rd, 834th, and the 835th, head back to Drew Army Airfield in Florida, USA (https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Drew_Army_Airfield ).

The squadrons have fully reassembled by September, 1945. On the 7th of

November, 1945, the 486th Bombardment Group, and its accompanying squadrons are ‘Inactivated,’ due to the war’s end.

13. T/Sgt Lutes receives his Honourable Discharge from the Army Air Force’s service 21 Oct. 1945, from Keesler Army Air Base, Biloxi, Mississippi. (From, “Marvin Lutes Receives Discharge,” ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ Edinburg, Indiana, 5 Nov. 1945, p.1., https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60340496/the-edinburg-daily-courier-edinburg/)

*****

MISSIONS:

1944

Mission: 342B (001 - crew’s first mission), 7th May, 1944; Target: Marshall Yard (Railroad) in Liege, Belgium; Aircraft (A/C) flown: B24H #42-52716; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 67/29; Bombing/Rating: 54.5-84.5 tons/Poor; Flight time (hr./min.): 5:39; Lead Pilot: Huglin; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Bad weather. Only 19 of 36 A/C made it to target. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the Right Waist Gunner.

· Notes: 3rd Bomb Division consisted of 486th Bomb Group & 487th Bomb Group using B-24Hs. This was the first mission for each. Morning assembly was aborted and a second attempt was made in the afternoon. Cloud prevented part of the force from bombing. 7- May-44 was only the 2nd time more than 1000 bombers were airborne. The last 1000 plane raid was made during "Big Week".

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/50

Mission: 351 (004), 11 May, 1944; Target: Marshall Yard in Chaumont, France; A/C: B24H #41-29505, ‘Gunga Din’; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 35/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time (hr./min.): 6:05; Lead Pilot: Uhle; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Lead aircraft mission failed, that is, 35 A/C sortied, none reached target. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Another massive attack on railroad marshalling yards in preparation for D-Day. Fighter opposition is very light. Units Involved: 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 303rd Bomb Group, 305th Bomb Group, 306th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 379th Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/59

ABORTED - Mission: 359 (005), 20 May, 1944; Target: Marshall Yard in Liege (Primary), Belgium; A/C: B24H # 42-52573; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 40/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time (hr./min.): 5:35; Lead Pilot: Overing; A/C. Loses: 2. Comments: Bad weather. Aircraft #726 and #691 (both 832nd A/C) crashed on takeoff in thick fog. Sgt. Marvin Lutes would have acted as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Mission aborted due to heavy could cover.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/67

Mission: 364 (006), 23 May, 1944; Target: Air Field in Etampes/Mondesir (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #42-52630; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/37; Bombing/Rating: 111 tons/Poor; Flight time (h./m.): 6:28; Lead Pilot: Cormier; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Second section of formation dropped on the accidental drop of section leader, and missed the air field target. Smoke and haze interfered with other drops. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/72

Mission: 370 (008), 25 May, 1944; Target: Marshall Yard in Montignies-sur-Sambre, France; A/C: B24H #42-52749, ‘Scrappy;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/23; Bombing/Rating: 68.7 tons/Fair; Flight time (h./m.): 5:25; Lead Pilot: Thompson; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: P38 fighter escort was good. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. First mission. Up at 5:00 AM and back at 11:00. Good hit on marshaling yards. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 34th Bomb Group, 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group. Not clear in source data which 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups hit these targets.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/78

Mission: 373 (009), 27 May, 1944; Target: Aircraft Industry in Woippy (Metz), France; A/C: B24H# 42-52688, ‘Paper Doll’. A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/36; Bombing/Rating: 88.7 tons/Poor; Flight time (h./m.): 7:08; Lead Pilot: Uhle; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Fighter support was good. Bombs landed short of Main Point of Impact (MPI). Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 34th Bomb Group, 399th Bomb Group and 486th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/81

Mission: 380 (012), 30 May, 1944; Target: Air Field in Handorf/Munster, Germany; A/C: B24H #42-52712; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 27/24; Bombing/Rating: 66.8 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 5:53; Lead Pilot: Smith; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Lead squadron hit Main Point of Impact (MPI), but low squadron was short. Good weather. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. A piece of flak broke one of the pilot’s windshields. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 34th Bomb Group, 388 Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 489th Bomb Group. The 489th Bomb Group files its first mission and sustains its first loss.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/88

Mission: 395 (016), 6 Jun. 1944; Target: Tactical Target in Thury Harcourt, France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827 (complete S/N number & nickname unknown); A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time (hr./min.): 5:57; Lead Pilot: Flesher; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Solid clouds; 26 A/C sortied, none attacked target. Attacked highway road junctions. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

· Official description: D-Day. Start of Operation Overlord - Eighth reaches its top strength as 493d Bomb Group (H) becomes operational, making a total of 40 Heavy Bomber Groups now operational. Heavy Bombers fly 4 missions in spite of the invasion of Normandy. The third mission is dispatched against the important communications center of Caen. 56 B-24’s bomb through overcast skies. Transportation chokepoints in towns immediately South and East of assault area are the objectives of the fourth mission for the Eighth. 553 HBs bomb targets including Vire, Saint- Lo, Coutances, Falaise, Lisieux, Thury-Harcourt, Pont-l’Eveque, Argentan, and Conde-sur-Noireau. In all, 1,729 HBs of Eighth AF drop 3,596 tons of bombs during D-Day, suffering only 3 losses (to ground fire and a collision). These attacks were made in the afternoon. Transportation chokepoints South and East of the assault area are targeted. D-Day: Everyone knew that "The Invasion" would be soon and everyone was ready to get going with it. It was one of those moments that one knew was going to be momentous even before it happened and everyone wanted to be a part of it. The 388th BG's part was chosen to lead the entire 8th Air Force that day.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/102

Mission: 397 (018), 7 Jun. 1944; Target: Tactical Target in Angers, France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/37; Bombing/Rating: 111 tons/Good; Flight time (hr./min.): 6:20; Lead Pilot: Uhle; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Attacked secondary targets, Air Fields at Vitre and Laval. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

· Official description: "The Eighth Air force is currently charged with a most solemn obligation in support of the most vital operation ever undertaken by our Armed Forces. It will be necessary during certain stages to attack with tremendous intensity the area immediately in front of our advancing troops. No other agency except the Eighth Air Force can undertake this task...It must be recognized that bombardment accuracy has never faced a more severe test...Every aid to accuracy must be exploited so that the pattern of our attack is exactly as ordered..."

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/104

Mission: 405 (020), 11 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Argentan, France; A/C: B24H #41-28745, ‘The Bold Sea Rover;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time (h./m.): 5:06; Lead Pilot: Norton; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. 10th Combat Flight. Flew a sortie flight to the French Coast at 24,000 feet. Solid clouds. No flak.

· Notes: 1,055 bombers are dispatched and 914 fighter sorties are flown. Original mission was to hit priority targets in Germany, but the weather remains foul. Over 400 bombers abort due to weather or the absence or malfunction of their PATHFINDER (PFF) radar bombing equipment. 1st Bomb Division was made up of 91st Bomb Group, 92nd Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Group, 381st Bomb Group, 401st Bomb Group, 457th Bomb Group. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group. All aircraft from 3rd Bomb Division failed to bomb.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/112

Mission: 407 (021), 12 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Beauvais/Nivillers, France; A/C: B24H #42-52752; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/39; Bombing/Rating: 115 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 6:19; Lead Pilot: Thompson; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 34th Bomb Group, 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 38th 8Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group, 493rd Bomb Group.

· Notes: Once again bad weather prevents an attack on priority targets in Germany. Therefore, 1,442, bombers are sortied toward target airfields and landing grounds in N.E. France, and rail and road bridges on the Brest Peninsula.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/114

SPARE - Mission: 412 (022), 14 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Lille/Vendeville (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827. A/C Sortied/Attacked: 38/35; Bombing/Rating: 87 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 5:07; Lead Pilot: Uhle; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Sgt. Marvin Lutes to act as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner if the crew is to fly.

· Notes: The ‘Consolidated Loading List’ for T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes lists him and/or Lt. Smith’s crew as ‘SPARE’, meaning, they may not have flown and dropped bombs on that mission, if they were not needed to replace one of the other bombers that were tasked with this job. IF THEY DID NOT FLY, then this mission would not be counted on their sortie record, since any bomber NOT entering enemy territory, is not considered to have sortied, and hence, completed a mission.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/119

Mission: 414 (023), 15 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Versailles, France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/34; Bombing/Rating: 102 tons/Poor to Good; Flight time (h./m.): 6:07; Lead Pilot: Newman; A/C Loses:0. Comments: Attacked secondary targets: Air Field at Etampes/Mondeis with good results. Primary target bombing was poor. Sgt. Marvin Lutes acts as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division attacks on these targets were made by the B-17 Groups, i.e., 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 96th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486 Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/121

· Marvin Lutes is promoted from Sergeant to Technical Sergeant, and is now designated as the Flight Engineer, though he would not take on these duties officially until the 1st August, 1944, mission.

Mission: 425 (026), 20 Jun. 1944; Target: Synthetic Oil Refinery in Hanover/Misburg, Germany; A/C: B24H #4252630; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 41/13; Bombing/Rating: 106.5-498 tons/Very Good; Flight time (h./m.): 6:52; Lead Pilot: Cormier; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. A/C #767 (pilot Farrell) was hit over target and limps back home. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division comprised B-24s from the 493rd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 489th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/132

Mission: 426 (027), 20 Jun. 1944; Target: V1 missile sites in Pas de Calais, France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/38; Bombing/Rating: 63.7-575.4 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 4:45; Lead Pilot: Howell; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: A total of 10 different sites are attacked by the bombers. Also, a secondary Air Field is attacked. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/133

Mission: 432 (028), 22 Jun. 1944; Target: V1 missile sites in Nucourt (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #42-52749, ‘Scrappy;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/36; Bombing/Rating: 98.2-207.5 tons/Poor; Flight time (h./m.): 3:45; Lead Pilot: Guthrie; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Clouds, used ‘GEE-H,’ or ‘Type of Bomb Through Overcast’ (BTO) radar to launch attack. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. Units Involved: 3rd Bomb Division comprised of B-17s from the 94th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/139

Mission: 438 (029), 24 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Chartres, France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/32; Bombing/Rating: 79.9 tons/Good; Flight time (hr./min.): 5:40; Lead Pilot: Flesher; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Attacked secondary, tactical target at Essay, France. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/145

Mission: 8th Air Force - 441 (030), 25 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Bourges, France; A/C B24H #42-52753, ‘Hard t’get;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/25; Bombing/Rating: 79.2 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 6:37; Lead Pilot: Wilson; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner.

· Official description: During the morning 236 B-17’s bomb Toulouse/Francazal and Toulouse/Blagnac A/F’s and oil dumps at Montbartier. 10 B-17’s bomb scattered T/Os. 107 B-24’s bomb Avord and Bourges A/Fs. 176 B-17’s drop supplies to French interior forces. A total of 8 HBs are lost. VIII FC flies 639 sorties in supporting operations. In addition, 5 fighter groups carry out strafing activities, claiming numerous ground targets including 6 airplanes on a landing ground and the A/F at Bourges. 19 enemy fighters are claimed destroyed in aerial combat. During midday 153 B-24’s bomb 17 power and transformer stations in effort to disrupt flow of electric power to V-weapon stations. 64 B-24’s, hampered by cloud over primary aiming points, bomb miscellaneous last resort targets, including A/Fs at Peronne and Nuncq. Fighter support is provided by 3 groups. All airplanes return safely. In night mission 300 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb 7 railway bridges and 2 A/Fs in Paris area. 69 HBs attack alternate targets, including A/Fs of Orly, Romilly-sur-Seine, and Etampes/Mondesir. Fighters fly 346 sorties in escort and target area spt. A P-38 group strafes ground targets in Angers, Le Mans-Laval area, and a P-47 group bombs and strafes an alternate landing ground near Evreux/Fauville A/F. HB losses total 7. Fighters claim 6 airplanes destroyed against no losses. In USSR, Eighth AF HBs and fighters are flown, at daybreak, from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with intentions of bombing oil refinery at Drohobycz and proceeding to base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the following day. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as precaution against air attacks.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/874

ABORTED - Mission: 447 (034), 29 Jun. 1944; Target: Aircraft Industry in Fallersleben, Wolfsburg, Germany; A/C B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time (h./m.): n/a; Lead Pilot: J.L. Rex; A/C. Loses: 0. Comments: Solid clouds, mission scrubbed. Note: The web page, “American Air Museum in Britain,” under their ‘Missions’ heading, has, for this mission number, that 106 tons of bombs were dropped on the target. Perhaps it was just that the 835th Bomb. Squadron couldn’t drop their bombs due to bad weather conditions.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/154

Mission: 448 (035), 30 Jun. 1944; Target: Air Field in Conches (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 31/27; Bombing/Rating: 81-105 tons/Bombs hit unobserved; Flight time (h./m.): n/a; Lead Pilot: E.M. Rex; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Clouds necessitated use of GEE-H, or ‘Type of Bomb Through Overcast’ (BTO) radar. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/155

Mission: 449 (036), 1 Jul. 1944; Target: V1 missile sites in Mont Louis Ferme (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 29/9; Bombing/Rating: 19.5/Poor; Flight time (h./m.): 5:03; Lead Pilot: Mundorff; A/C Losses: 1. Comments: Combat Bombardment Wing recalled. 835th Bomb Sq. didn’t receive recall and bombed by GEE-H. A/C # 445 and #508 couldn’t catch up to the group and returned to base upon reaching French coast. Two squadrons abort based on decisions by their squadron leaders, but one squadron proceeds to bomb this V-Weapon site. Accidental drops by #238 and #454, only 10 A/C from the 486th bombed target. #744 severely damaged by FLAK near rally point (RP), but returned to bases safely. #758 also hit near RP and crashes (4 crew become POWs, 6 crew repatriated in September). T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/156

Mission: 8th Air Force - 463 (042), 9 Jul. 1944; Target: V-1 Missile Sites in St. Georges-s-Fontaine, France; A/C: B24H 4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/0; Bombing/Rating: 88 tons/-; Flight time (h./m.): 4:45; Lead Pilot: Wilson; A/C Loses: 1. Comments: T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. V-1 launching sites and German airfields in France are the focus of this mission. Poor weather, and heavy cloud cover frustrates bombing attempts. All aircraft dispatched are from 3rd Bomb Division and include: a combined force of 104 B-24s from 34BG; 486BG; 487BG; 490BG and 491BG are assigned to bomb V-1 missile launching sites. Only 37 aircraft from this element are effective on targets. 1 B-24 from 34BG is forced to ditch 45 miles south of Selsey Bill, UK. Only 4 of the 10 crew are rescued. Also, 77 B-17s from 94BG; 95BG; 96BG; 100BG; 385BG; 388BG; 390BG; 447BG and 452BG form a combined force to bomb German airfields in France. Only 12 of these are effective on the Longuenesse airfield at St. Omer, France and 3 others hit targets of opportunity.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/170

· NOTE: On the 14th of July, Lt. George Smith and his crew would be listed as ‘Spare’, to be used only in the event that another, designated bomber could not make its sortie. It looks like Smith’s crew was not required on the 14th.

Mission: 478 (045), 17 Jul. 1944; Target: Bridge in Gien (Primary), France; A/C: B24H #4x-xx827; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 13/13; Bombing/Rating: 39-108 tons/Very Good; Flight time (h./m.): 6:23; Lead Pilot: J.L. Rex; A/C. Loses: 0. Comments: Took off at suppertime, Flak was extremely heavy. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. 3rd Bombardment Division Headquarters sends a Commendation down to all bomber crews after this important mission is achieved.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/185

Mission: 481 (046), 18 Jul. 1944; Target: Tactical Target - Troop Concentration near Caen, France; A/C: B24H #42-95238; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/13; Bombing/Rating: 33.2-406 tons/Good; Flight time (h./m.): 4:52; Lead Pilot: Newman; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Commendation from 3rd Bombardment Division Headquarters for bombing in direct support of allied ground troops at Area “Q” at Frenouville, France near Caen. Bombed German troop concentrations. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is acting as the bomber’s Right Waist Gunner. https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/188

**NOTE: Tech. Sgt. Marvin Lee Lutes, together with the rest of pilot Lt. George ‘Hunter’ Smith’s crew, received Two Oak Leaf Clusters to their existing Air Medal, for service during the last two missions. (Announced in “The Republic,” Columbus, Indiana, 17 Jul. 1944, p. 2., https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83110370/marvin-lutes-gets-clusters/ )

Mission: 508 (050), 1 Aug. 1944; Target: Air Field in Tours, France; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 40/36; Bombing/Rating: 107-169.5 tons/Fair – Good; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Overing; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: First mission flown with the new B17G aircraft. Units involved: 390th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/215

· Tech. Sgt. Marvin Lee Lutes officially takes on the role as his bomber crew’s Flight Engineer, as well as the Top Turret Gunner.

Mission: 511 (051), 2 Aug. 1944; Target: V1 Missile Sites & Targets of Opportunity in Bois Du Gr. Marche & Mont Gourneoy, France; Air Craft (A/C): B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortie/Attacked: 26/26 & 26/26; Bombing/Rating: 65-188.4 tons/Good/Good-Excellent; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Newman & Kaiser; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Attacked two V-1 installations on a single mission. Notes: 2nd Bomb Division was made up of 44th Bomb Group, 93rd Bomb Group, 389th Bomb Group, 392nd Bomb Group, 445th Bomb Group, 446th Bomb Group, 448th Bomb Group, 453rd Bomb Group, 458th Bomb Group, 466th Bomb Group, 467th Bomb Group, 489th Bomb Group. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 94th Bomb Group, 95th Bomb Group, 100th Bomb Group, 34th Bomb Group, 385th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group, 390th Bomb Group, 447th Bomb Group, 452nd Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Group, 487th Bomb Group, 490th Bomb Group, 493rd Bomb Group.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/218

ABORTED - Mission: 512 (052), 3 Aug. 1944; Target: Fuel storage facility in St. Florentin, France; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time: 0; Lead Pilot: unknown; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Mission cancelled due to weather. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes would have been the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/219

Mission: 514 (053), 4 Aug. 1944; Target: Oil refineries in Hamburg (Primary), Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 40/36; Bombing/Rating: 77-115.8 tons/Good; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Uhle & Thompson; A/C Loses: 3. Comments: 1 Flying Fortress hit by flak and had to be abandoned. A second f. fortress also hit by flak then collided with a third. All three forts. Were lost: #909, #929, #145. Most bombs bombed secondary targets (bridges) at Einswarden on egress. Formation attacked by fighters, mostly Me 163 “Komets” (rocket plane). T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/221

· NOTE: This mission is mentioned in an article from ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ Edinburg, Indiana, 14 Sep. 1944, p. 1., https://www.newspapers.com/image/125244745/?terms=Sgt.%20Marvin%20Lutes%20Home%20From%20England&match=1

Mission: 530 (057), 8 Aug. 1944; Target: Tactical Targets & V-1 Missile Sites south-east of Caen and Pas-De-Calais (Primary), France; A/C: B17G #43-38029, ‘Honeychile;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 26/26; Bombing/Rating: 78-297.2 tons/Poor to Very Good; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: unknown; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Area #7 attacked - strong points in German lines and field command post. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner. Notes: 2nd Bomb Division consisted of 44th BG, 93rd BG, 389th BG, 392nd BG, 445th BG, 446th BG, 448th BG, 453rd BG, 458th BG, 466th BG, 467th BG, 489th BG, 491 BG, 492nd BG. 3rd Bomb Division consisted of B-24s is 34th BG, 486th BG, 491st Bomb Group, 493rd BG.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/237

ABORTED - Mission: 534 (058), 9 Aug. 1944; Target: Aircraft Industry in Nurnberg, Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 27/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: unknown; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Mission scrubbed; A/C recalled due to weather. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/241

Mission: 552 (061), 14 Aug. 1944; Target: Air Field & Aircraft Factory in Mannheim (Primary), Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 51/50; Bombing/Rating: 130-268 tons/Excellent – Good; Flight time (h./m.): unknown: Lead Pilot: Overing; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Two targets hit. T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes is the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/259

Mission: 8th Air Force – 554 (062), 15 Aug. 1944; Target: Air Field in Twente-Enschede, Holland; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 30/30; Bombing/Rating: 65-177 tons/Excellent; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Newman; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes acted as the bomber’s Flight Engineer & Top Turret Gunner. The airfield at Twente/Enschede, Holland is bombed by 75 of 298 B-17s dispatched by 3rd Bomb Division. The exact Group(s) that made the attack has yet to be documented here.

· Description: Airfields in NW Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium are the primary targets for this mission. 8th Air Force dispatches a total of 932 aircraft. The raid is coordinated with 1,000 Royal Air Force (RAF) heavy bombers and Mosquitos attacking 9 airfields in the Netherlands and Belgium.

· 219 B-17s are dispatched from 1st Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e., 91BG, 92BG, 303BG, 306BG, 381BG and 398BG (exact number from each Group not available in source data). 108 bomb the German airfield of Ostheim at Cologne, Germany; 65 bomb the German airfield Eschborn at Frankfurt, Germany; 38 bomb the German airfield at Wiesbaden, Germany; and 3 hit other targets of opportunity in the area. 9 B-17s from 303BG are MIA in the attack on Wiesbaden. 1 B-17 from 303BG and 1 from 306BG are DBR and 86 B-17s are damaged.

· 350 B-24s are dispatched by 2nd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e., 44BG, 389BG, 445BG, 446BG, 453BG, 458BG, 466BG, 467BG, 489BG, 492BG (exact number from each Group not available in source data). All targets are airfields: 91 bomb Wittmundhaafen; 90 bomb Zwischenhahn; 67 bomb Vechta; 54 bomb Plantlunne; and 10 bomb Hopstein. 4 B-24s from 466BG are MIA and 6 are damaged. This force is joined by the 1000 bombers dispatched by the RAF.

· 298 B-17s are dispatched by 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e., 94BG, 95BG, 96BG, 100BG, 385BG, 390BG, 447BG. 388BG & 452BG stand down. All targets are airfields. 109 bomb Handorf; 104 bomb Venlo; 75 bomb Twente/Enschade; and 3 bomb other targets of opportunity. 2 B-17s from 398BG are MIA, 6 are damaged.

· 65 B-24s are dispatched by 3rd Bomb Division Bomb Groups i.e., 4BG, 486BG, 491BG, 493BG. 59 bomb the German airfield Juzaine at Florennes, Belgium; 1 bombs a target of opportunity. 1 B-24 from 493BG is MIA on Florennes, 3 are damaged.

· OTHER EVENTS on this date: OPERATION DRAGOON begins at 0415 hours as British and American paratroops are deployed near Le Muy, France. The invasion is carried out mainly by 7th US Army and Free French forces under the command of General Alexander Patch. They are up against the German 19th Army under the command of Lt. Gen. Friedrich Wiese. The naval bombardment immediately preceding the invasion causes great confusion among the Germans and resistance is light. The main objective of the invasion is the capture of the port city of Marseilles. Thereafter, the force will proceed up the Rhone River valley to Lyon also spreading east towards the Italian border. Once Lyon is captured, the forces will continue North up the Saone River to Dijon. Long range objective is to link up with Patton's 3rd Army to cut off German forces remaining in Western France. By the end of the day 94,000 troops and 11,000 vehicles are safely ashore.

· NOTE: This is the last mission for Lt. George Smith’s crew members, T/Sgt. Marvin L. Lutes, and S/Sgt.s Robert E. Thomas and Chester G. Woroch. Each man will have had 31 missions to his credit. Smith and the rest of his crew will continue for another five missions before they too are done. However, T/Sgt Marvin Lutes would be back in England some time in early 1945, in time to fly a few missions with other squadrons – see end of mission list.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/261

** NOTE: Tech. Sgt. Marvin Lee Lutes receives another (his third) Oak Leaf Cluster to his Air Medal for ‘Meritorious Achievement’ during an 8th Air Force mission in Nazi held territory in Europe and Germany. The award was presented to Lutes by the Commander of the 486th Bombardment Group at R.A.F. Sudbury, Lieutenant Colonel P. Overing. The rest of Lt. Smith’s crew likely also received an Oak Leaf Cluster as well though the news article doesn’t mention it.

(From, “Sgt. Lutes Gets Oak Leaf Cluster,” from ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ Edinburg, Indiana, 23 Oct. 1944, p. 1., https://www.newspapers.com/clip/80975954/sgt-lutes-gets-oak-leaf-cluster-oct/ )

Mission: 575 (067), 26 Aug. 1944; Target: Coastal Batteries in Brest and Ile Longue (Primary), France; A/C: B17G #43-38137; A/C Sortied/Attacked: 40/21; Bombing/Rating: 19-38 tons/Excellent; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Uhle; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: The ‘Tactical Target’ were coastal gun batteries.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/282

ABORTED - Mission: 583 (068), 27 Aug. 1944; Target: Aircraft Industry in Genshagen, Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 38/0; Bombing/Rating: 0/-; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: unknown; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: A/C recalled due to weather.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/290

Mission: 591 (069), 30 Aug. 1944; Target: Aircraft Industry and Industrial Complex in Bremen, Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 38/35; Bombing/Rating: 101-753 tons/Bombs hit target unobserved; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Cormier; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: Fw-190 plant done by ‘Bomb Through Overcast’ radar.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/298

Mission: 606 (072), 5 Sep. 1944; Target: German troop concentrations in Brest, France; A/C B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 39/39; Bombing/Rating: 131-449.9 tons/Excellent; Flight time: unknown; Lead Pilot: Howell; A/C Loses: 2. Comments: Repeat mission of 72. A/C #875 collides with #949 (pilots Eakin and Crawford) in a turn off the target. 18 crewmen go Missing In Action (MIA). A/C bombed from under 12,000 feet. 3rd Bomb Division was made up of 94th BG, 447th BG, 486th BG, 487th BG, 490th BG.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/313

LAST MISSION of Lt Smith and his crew with the 486th Bomb. Group: 619 (074), 10 Sep. 1944; Target: Air Field in Giebelstadt (Primary), Germany; A/C: B17G #43-37983, ‘Umbriago;’ A/C Sortied/Attacked: 37/35; Bombing/Rating: 126-279.7 tons/Excellent – Poor; Flight time (h./m.): 7:50 (inferred from the book, “The War Stories of the O&W”); Lead Pilot: Thompson; A/C Loses: 0. Comments: ‘A’ group had Poor results. ‘B’ group did Very Good. ‘C’ group did Excellent.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/326

1945

MISSION WITH ANOTHER 486TH SQUADRON, the 834th: For returning T/Sgt. Marvin Lee Lutes. Sometime, soon after his ‘refresher courses’ at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi Mississippi, Lutes is sent back to Royal Air Force Base Sudbury, Suffolk, England, and the 486th Bombardment Group, to fly with Pilot Willis P. Smith and his 834th Bomb. Squadron crew, and Capt. Robert Whitney acting as Air Leader: Mission, 8th Air Force 918 (175), 30 Mar. 1945; Target: Various Tactical Targets (Oil Refineries, Bridges, Ports, Submarine Bases, etc.), Bremen, Farge, Hamburg, Wilhelmshafen/Bauhagen, Germany; A/C B17G #44-8453; Pilot: Willis P. Smith; Air Leader: Capt. Robert Whitney; Other mission details: Unknown.

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission/1038

· This mission is mentioned in a news article in ‘The Edinburg Daily Courier,’ where it says, “…The biggest bombing raid he [T/Sgt. Marvin Lutes] was on was over Hamburg where they blasted oil refineries…” https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60342514/edinburg-daily-courier-edinburg/

NOTE: The above, excerpted ‘Missions’ list is compiled from information from the official web pages of the “486th Bombardment Group” at: https://486th.org/Mssn/Prologue.htm AND the “American Air Museum in Britain” at: https://www.americanairmuseum.com/mission

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Marvin Lutes (1922)