I wondered some useful folk with access to US records could help me piece together some details on a B17 crew named Heavenly Body that crashed near Nailstone in Leicestershire on the 27th September 1944.
The names are
Micheal H Primus, the pilot
Louis G Deputy, the co-pilot
Richard J Hermann, Navigator 2nd Lt
Robert Campbell Simmons, Bombardier 2nd Lt
Roy E Griswold, Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) Airplane Mechanic-Gunner, Automatic Rifleman
Claude E Keele, Technical Sergeant Radio Operator - Mechanic Gunner, AAF
Harry Stoever, Ball Turret S/Sgt
Lawrence Richter, Wing Gunner S/Sgt
Americo Vergili, Tail Turret S/Sgt
Plus three members of the Mobile Training Unit:
Ralph W Franke, Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) Power Turret and Gunsight Mechanic
John C Barry, S/Sgt Airplane Instrument Mechanic
Edward Shively, Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) Airplane Electrical Mechanic
Right now I'm after as much detail about the lads as possible - Family details such as parents and siblings, place and date of birth, etc. I've traced a picture of most of the crew, with the exception of Deputy, Franke, Barry and Shively. I have dates of birth for Simmons and Keele.
All detail will be going to a book of WW2 casualties from that area that raises money for the Royal British Legion and it seems fitting to include these lads in that number. Any assistance is very much appreciated.