The orders and official citation for Ang's Distinguished Flying Cross Award have the date as November 22, 1944 but on the order Ang wrote that it should be 11/18 which is the date of his mission to Novaska (or Novska) Yugoslavia. His mission on November 22 was to Faenza. I don't have an explanation of this discrepancy except that I've learned that "100% Accuracy" in the Army seems to be more of a goal than a reality. In any case, Ang wrote "DFC" on his log book page for 11/18; the order and citation say it was for a mission to Novska; and the Group and Squadron diaries mention a mission to Novska on the 18th. And so, I'm posting all this material here. He finally received the medal in January 1945. He doesn't mention the mission in his 11/18 letter. It may have been written before the mission flew. Note that this is another letter that was not received by Betty until January. Saturday, November 18. Off today—downtown with Peg. To USO in P.M. for Wives Club. Then hostess duties. Home by 9:00. Wrote Ang & to bed. Form 5. -18, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 4:40h [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #48.] 48. Nov. 18. Novska, Yugo R.R. Bridge. No flak [R.E. Jardine, W.E. Barnard] [Letter. Postmark 11/20, “1-22-45 OK” written on envelope and stationary stamped Jan 8 1945] 11/18/44 Hi Hon: Well, the trip is off for awhile. This damn on again-off again of the army gets me down. Oh well, there isn’t much I can do about it. I am going though—sometime. I guess I’ll go down to the post office and send the money back to the bank. I sure am giving them a terrific amount of business lately, but there is no sense in my carrying all that money if I don’t go for a month or so. I don’t know if I told you—but Arne is back on flying again—has to fly more missions. It sure gets me mad—but such is war and the army—and he might still make it home for Christmas yet. As I’ve told you, I’ve got a lot of lessons on the correspondence courses, but I still haven’t got the text books so I can’t do very much. I wish they’d get here—I’m anxious to start. I haven’t taken any pictures with the film you sent me as yet—but I think I’ll get started this afternoon. There is no sense in it just laying around. I wonder how many rolls uncle George sent me? In case you need another request—Please send me some film—size V-127 or Kodacolor C-127. Does that sound official enough? It looks like I’ll definitely be home for my birthday now—so you can plan accordingly. I love you—Love, Ang November 19. To Mass at 12:00. Read papers - then to movies. Bot Bar Be Que home for dinner. Wrote letters in evening. November 20. Mr Latimer back—worked hard all day. Another package from Rome. Addressed cards & wrote letters. Bed 11:00. Form 5. -20, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 2:00h [Squadron diary indicates no mission this day. "A dreary day, no mission." In his letter, Ang writes that he flew on this day and got lost, so it's likely it was a practice mission.] [Letter. Postmark 11-22-44.] 11/20/44 Corsica Hi Hon: I got your letter of Nov. 2—and all I’ve got to say is “Et tu Brutus.” Imagine—agreeing with the doctors. I suppose you know that every week I spend on rest—I loose a couple of missions and have to stay over here so much longer. Oh well, as you say, I guess the doctors know what they are doing. I got a kick out of Margies letter and your comments about it. I guess maybe we did hold them back all last year. I guess that’s the only way to get ahead in this army, and that’s why I wouldn’t want to stay in it—not being able to do it, I mean. My face is still burning—I got lost on a routine flight today. Being a little cocksure—I threw my maps aside and when we came out of a bank of clouds—there I was (or wasn’t). As I said—is my face red. Don’t worry, hon, I’m far from being careless on a mission—this was far behind the front lines. Even so, I don’t think I’ll ever live it down. I also got your latest snapshot—mailed I think, on the ninth. You do look kind of awkward—but even so, still good enough to eat. Darn it, hon, I sure get a terrific kick out of every new snapshot you send—but they also give me a few bad hours. Keep on sending them hon. I got a couple of boxes of Christmas cards today—so I’ll send them out to everybody. You send yours too, but I thought a few of them would like to get one from this side of the water. I love you darling—Love, Ang November 21. Ordinary day - worked steadily. Shopped after work. Had light supper. Worked on bk statement - ugh. To bed by 11:30. Form 5. -21, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 3:50h [We have a crew sheet dated 11-21-44, but the diaries indicate no missions. The crew sheet shows Ang as Navigator on 6X. It's likely these are the crews that flew on the 22nd -- the pilot and bombardier names match Ang's 11/22 log. I don't have a crew sheet dated the 22nd, but the diaries show all of the 340th squadrons flew on the 22nd. See below] November 22. Worked like mad today. Home from work. Just snack supper. Worked on dinner for tomorrow. Bed 11:45. Form 5. -22, flight as bombardier, B-25J, 2:25h [Note that the DFC citation gives the date as Ang's November 22 mission, but should be the November 18 mission to Yugoslavia.] [FROM ANG'S FLIGHT LOG. MISSION #49.] 49. Nov. 22 Faenza Troop Concentrations. Frags. Heavy, Moderate, Accurate---- 2 ships holed [D.V. Wheeler, F.B. Sedach] [From the 340th diary: "Faenza defense area number two was thoroughly carpeted with fragmentation bombs by the 340th today, and personnel and stores there were undoubtedly hard hit."]
1 Comment
John Gilley
2/17/2017 08:47:45 pm
My great uncle served with Ang. He is even in a couple of the photos from the guys on R&R in Egypt. Your photo labeled "Ang, with two others, in Egypt on R&R in January 1945." He's on the right. His name is Paul Gilley
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AuthorJoni Adams Sesma, daughter of Angelo and Elizabeth Adams. Ang served on Corsica with the 57th Bomb Wing, 340th Bomb Group, 486th Bomb Squadron. April 1944-April 1945. Archives
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