Looking for a Staff Sgt. G.W.S.

Posted:
By: Troy Lyman
On: 09/14/2005

Hello and let me say this is a wonderful site.  I too have a B-17 related site (http://www.b17queenofthesky.com) and recently received the following requestion from one of my visitors:

"A while back, I was at a militaria show & noticed a .45 Colt auto shoulder holster on a table & it had the following written on it, which I jotted down because I have Roger Freeman's book, The Mighty 8th & I thought that it might have belonged at one time to a B-17 crew member by chance and I wanted to look it up. I found a lot of scattered info in the book on the 401 Bomb Group but couldn't find any personnel with a name that was mentioned that would match those initials. It read : "Staff Sergeant G. W. S.,  S. N. 20321945, 613 Bomb Sqn., 401 bomb group. I couldn't find any name mentioned any where in the text that matched these initials so I gave up. Lately a friend of mine told me that there may be a web site available that could shed some light on this quest, so that's why I am emailing you. I typed in: 401 bomb group, 8th Air Force & found your site, fortunately. my curiosity is overwhelming me. I hope that you can provide me with, maybe a personnel name file of the 613 or try to locate him in a file that he might be listed in? I am a lifetime member of the Commererative Air Force located in Midland, Texas.Thanks very much, sincerely. Colonel James E. Parker, C.A.F."

I have yet to find information on this particular veteran and was hoping those of you here might be able to lend a hand.  Thank you for your time, assistance and service.

Troy Lyman
Webmaster
http://www.b17queenofthesky.com

Re: Looking for a Staff Sgt. G.W.S.

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 09/14/2005

I have checked the 613th crew list for this person and the only one that I found that could come close was a Cpl C. W. Scale who was a Tail Gunner and I am not shure if enlisted had a .45 or it was just officers. The S.N. is for Serial Number as it was followed with the numbers.

I live in Lubbock Texas and do from time to time come down for the annual Air Show which I grealy like to do.

Don Byers

Re: Looking for a Staff Sgt. G.W.S.

Posted:
By: Win Bryson
On: 09/14/2005

With the S/Sgt's serial number, I would think an inquiry to:
1. The NPRC (National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, accessible from the Natiuonal Archives' Website, www.nara.gov) or
2, The Veterans ADministration.
should be able to identify the person.

Good hunting.

Re: Looking for a Staff Sgt. G.W.S.

Posted:
By: Donald Byers
On: 09/19/2005

Enlisted airmen were issued .45's prior to departing the U.S. according to my tailgunner friend.

Don Byers