Louis DalMaso; This is Louis 57th Bomb Wing Gallery-Album; http://57thbombwing.com/gallery2/main.php?g2itemId=67956_

Friday, 21 May 1943

379th BS Mission Summary: (Ops Order ---/mission ---) Group Mission # 94: So with a very quick briefing and preparation 24 planes of the group were up and winging their way toward Villacidro A/D in Sardinia. The results were very good with 10 to 15 E/A parked in the NE corner well covered. Intense heavy flak was encountered over the target and the formation returned minus two crews. Lt. McCormick of the 380th was hit by flak over the target and exploded in mid-air. The 379th was also very unfortunate, for Lt. G. C. Beachum’s ship met a similar fate. Our new Sq. Commanding Officer, Capt. Heston C. Daniel, after having recently attained his ambition, was among those lost. Those observing the unfortunate incident say that the right wing was shot off and the ship spun to earth. Although three parachutes were seen to open, it is undetermined as to who was able to leave the doomed plane. Some think that two of the chutes might have been S/Sgts. Dalmaso and Gower, gunner and radio-man respectively, of Lt. J. D. Lindh’s crew. These two men bailed out over the target evidently thinking their ship had been hit because of the violent evasive action their pilot had to employ. The entire personnel of the squadron grieve the loss of Lt. G.C. Beachum and his crew, also Capt. Heston C. Daniel’s mis-fortune, for he was very well liked and respected.

The Eastern half of the airdrome, our target in a coordinated effort with the 321st Bomb Group was particularly well hit on the Northern side. One gun position was silenced. The Southeast dispersal area was hit by one flight. At least twenty-five aircraft were seen on the target. Fires and black smoke obscured observation.

One of a large number of intercepting Axis fighters was destroyed by the formation. At least four more were put away by the escort. The enemy Aircraft followed the formation hoping for a straggler. The radio operator and aerial gunner of Lindh’s ship (379th) bailed out of his craft when evasive action became so violent that it seemed the ship was out of control.

Dalmaso, Louis (NMI), S/Sgt, gunner, 379th BS

Gower, Robert F., S/Sgt, radio-gunner, 379th BS

Lindh, Jack D., 2Lt, pilot, 379th BS

A/C No. 10 aircraft & crew unidentified (two crewman bailed out over target)

Lindh, Jack D., 2Lt

_Gower, Robert F., S/Sgt (AERIAL GUNNER)_

Dalmaso, Louis (NMI), S/Sgt

Info and pictures coming from LOUIS and his proud daughter Becky Bacher.