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8th Ind.
WHG/rhs
19TH BOMBARDMENT SQUADRON, 22ND BOMBARDMENT GROUP (M), APO 503, 17
October 1943.
To: Headquarters, 22nd Bombardment Group (M), APO 503 .
1. In compliance with the 5th Ind. the following information is submitted:
2. The commendable service of M/Sgt Raymond D. Fuller starts on December
7, 1941. At that time, he was Squadron Inspector of this organization.
This organization was ordered to make a permanent change of station from
Langley Field, Virginia to Muroc, California. Information for the change
of station came about 7:00 P.M. on the 7th of December, 1941. Through the
efforts of the Line Chief, Sgt. Fuller and the ground personnel, twelve
(12) out of thirteen (13) assigned airplanes were in commission for
take-off at 7:30 A.M on December 8, 1941. All airplanes reached their
destination with only insignificant malfunctions.
3. Through the foresight of the Squadron Commander, Sgt. Fuller, along
with a Crew Chief and armament man for each airplane were sent along with
the air echelon to start immediate operations since the ground echelon and
equipment were to arrive later. Other Squadrons from this Group had not
dispatched ground personnel with their airplanes and it was necessary for
Sgt. Fuller and ground personnel to assist with maintenance, supply and
loading of bombs for all airplanes of the group. Through untiring efforts
of Sgt. Fuller, and his leadership of -the limited amount of personnel,
operations were carried on until the arrival of the ground personnel.
4. After the arrival of the ground personnel, Sgt Fuller was made line
Chief, of this organization, which he has served to date. During
operations at Muroc, California, the Squadron was flying patrol missions
from northern California along the coast line to south of the Mexican
Border. These missions required frequent use of airplanes on prolonged
flight. Despite adverse weather and maintenance conditions of frost,
freezing rain, snow and dust storms, and limited source of supplies for
B-26 type airplanes, Sgt. Fuller’s leadership and maintenance kept the
require number of airplanes in commission for these operations.
5. The organization as ordered to make another change of station to
foreign service. The airplanes were ferried to Sacramento Air Depot, to be
disassembled for shipment. Sgt Fuller accompanied the planes to the depot
where he supervised the disassembling of the planes. This was necessary
due to the fact that the depot had little experience with this type of
aircraft.
6. Sgt. Fuller again was sent with the airplanes to Hickham Field, Hawaii,
where the planes were assembled for flight to Australia. Sgt Fuller, Crew
Chiefs and combat crews made the acceptance check, which included ground
tests and flight test. In order to get the planes in commission for the,
flight, it required working fourteen to eighteen hours a day for three
weeks. Sgt. Fuller was assigned to lead ship of the first flight. The trip
to Australia was made in several series with no loss of personnel and
equipment. The airplanes operated with only normal operational
malfunctions.
7. Since the bases that the planes landed at were under construction,
there were no supplies except gasoline and food available. In some cases
where supplies were needed, substitutes were made. Parts for a stem of an
inner tube were made from a valve and stem of an automobile inner tube.
Other cases of necessary parts being made from Prince Albert tobacco cans.
These methods made it possible for the planes to reach their destination
as quickly as possible. Since their need of immediate use in combat was
very urgent.
8. Upon arrival in Australia, the air echelon joined the ground echelon
and made a permanent change of station to Garbutt Field, Townsville for
combat service. At this time there ware no supplies or Service Squadrons
at Townsville. This required the Engineering section to do 3rd and 4th
echelon work. All accessories were overhauled by makeshift equipment. This
was carried on over a period of a month before adequate facilities were
available. It was through experience, ingenious methods, untiring efforts
and leadership on the part of Sgt. Fuller that this system made possible
the operation of the number of -planes necessary for combat.
9. There was another case of an engineering feat which proved to be very
valuable. The organization was stationed at Iron Range, APO A72 705. The
tail section of an airplane was damaged to the extent that it had to be
removed. The Service Squadron was contacted to repair the ship. They
stated that it would take them two weeks to finish it, due to the fact
that they had other work to be completed before they could start on the
airplane. This airplane was urgently needed for combat. The Squadron
engineering Section decided to make the repair. It was necessary to remove
the entire tail section from the rear bomb bay of the damaged airplane and
the same process from another airplane which was condemned for flying. The
entire procedure was completed, airplane tested and ready for combat duty
in seventy-two hours, which was a record job for this squadron. The
equipment ordinarily necessary for this job was not available, the use of
scrap lumber and a trailer of a crash unit was used for support while the
tail section was being installed.
10. The proceeding paragraphs have been written in detail, in an effort to
show the initiative and leadership of this non-commissioned officer. His
accomplishments have been due to force, physical endurance, and his
ability to lean men. It is felt Sgt. Fuller has demonstrated outstanding
qualities for appointment as a commissioned officer.
11. It is requested that every possible consideration be given Sgt
Fullers’s application.
8 Incls:
Walter H. Greer,
Major, Air Corps,
n/c
Commanding. |
B26.COM
