Hi again all...

I work at our local thrift store and we function on donations. A while back someone dropped off these pictures with a large lot of military stuff. None of these pictures are marked but as I'm a genealogy buff, I know how much it would mean to have these kind of pictures given to me if I was family.

I thought maybe some of you incredibly knowledgeable board members might be able to help. I highly doubt anyone here will recognize this man but is it possible to help maybe identify some of his surroundings? His plane? Anything on his uniform?

I'd really love to work at finding this guy's family and returning his pictures to them (there are hundreds more, mostly of family, but there are a lot of pictures of scenery and such I'm assuming he took while overseas on duty). Any little clue might help...

Attached Images

	scan1.jpg (109.2 KB, 20 views)
	scan2.jpg (154.2 KB, 20 views)
	scan3.jpg (53.3 KB, 17 views)
	scan4.jpg (67.2 KB, 17 views)
	scan5.jpg (64.5 KB, 15 views)

Pic 1: B-24
Pic 2: B-29
Pic 3: Avenger
Pic 5: Avenger

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"If you want peace work for justice" -Pope Paul VI

Jon

Thanks for the id, Jon!

Is it possible that this soldier would have piloted (or would have been able to pilot) both planes?

Any clues from his uniform?

Picture #1 is a PB4Y, from the bow turret, I would hazard that it is a PB4Y-2, not quite the Navy version of a B-24 as the PB4Y-2 had a single vertical stabilizer as opposed the B-24/PB4Y-1 twin tail.

Picture #2 is a B-29 (you can read the stenciling on the side) sn 42-63478; this plane, piloted by 1st Lieut. Walter J. Sherrell, USAAF, participated in the last daylight B-29 raid on Japan, 27 December 1944; 874th BS, 498th BG, 73d BW, Saipan. According to 73d BW lore, the crew had this nose art painted on the plane by a Marine in exchange for three bottles of whiskey. 42-63478 was scrapped on 9/11/50 at Tinker AFB.

Pictures #3 & 4, TBM, probably a -1C. Markings do not lend any squadron/unit identification.

Picture #5 Sailor, winter blues. An aircrewman (wings over ribbon bar). Rate is Aviation Ordnanceman 3d Class (AOM3c) note the winged grenade over the single third class chevron. Can’t tell much about the ribbons, though I believe one of them on the top row is a PUC (resolution makes ribbons too fuzzy, but judging from the number of rows, this is probably an EOW photo).

Picture #6 is a TBM-3; can’t tell if it is a -3C or a -3E. No identifiable squadron markings.

Picture #7 is another TBM, shot does not lend itself to version or squadron identification.

The sailor in the picture is a crewman, not a pilot. During the time these pictures were taken you could probably count the serving NAPs (Naval Aviation Pilot - an enlisted pilot) on one hand. Most had been commissioned by the end of 1942. Not to mention that Navy aircrew wings are distinctly different from naval aviator wings.

Rich

Moderator edit: Good assistance, Rich.

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I wonder what this button does . . .

Good God Rich, I'm stunned! Wonderful info!

So I'm guessing I've got a sailor that simply stood beside planes for pictures? When I get to work this morning I'll see what else there is and how they all match up. These were all donated in an old metal box -- there are also hundreds of negatives from the war in with the actual pictures. I'll post anything else significant I find...

But thanks again Rich! You've got a good eye ...

sjkramer: Thats how to get really saluted around here! Do it!

and: Yes Rich: First class response.

The first two photos are probably opportunistic.
I would bet on items where you find him in multiple shots - they were proud of their role.
So: ... if he actually worked in support of aircrew: ie the avenger(s) - being photoed beside it and in the cockpit.

It would be thrilling to actually find his name. Some of your other photos should fix locations.
Just imagine the reaction of the family if these photos etc actually got back to them. You would be hero for life.

I would say, in this case.. so we know who all to thank: "Don't be shy to say who you work for."

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Stepson of Arthur Ellison Sovereign:
RCAF Navigator: Lancasters and Wellingtons,
Bomber Command, WW2

Named after Fred Sutherland of the Dambusters.