
\| Home \| 301st BG \| 301st HQ \| 32nd Squadron \| 352nd Squadron \| 353rd Squadron \| 419th Squadron \| Contact Us \|

Gustav Spohn

M/Sgt. Gustav J. Spohn ("Gus"), was a member of the 301st Bomb Group, 353rd Squadron. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served in combat as a radio operator (ROG) on a B-17 during the last year of the war.

In World War II, he served in North Africa and Italy. On his first mission, his B-17 crash-landed behind enemy lines in Italy after running out of fuel returning from a bombing mission, after a few days behind enemy lines, the crew returned to Foggia.

On what I believe was his sixth mission, his B-17 was shot down by a night fighter at 2:40 a.m. on November 25, 1944 over Yugoslavia. He and the tail gunner (Sgt. William Ray) evaded capture and were eventually evacuated from Yugoslavia back to Foggia on December 27, 1944 via C-47 (two crew members were captured and sent to Stalag Luft I and the other six members of the crew evaded capture also, but in a different group than my father and Sgt. Ray).

I am uncertain of my father's total number of missions, but I believe it was at least 17. He was awarded the Bronze Star (with a V for Valor), a Purple Heart, an Air Medal (with five oak leaf clusters), and various campaign medals.

My father retired from the Air Force at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida in June of 1965 and immediately went to work for Lockheed on the space program at Cape Canaveral, Florida. He died on February 23, 1995 following open heart surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. I would be happy to correspond with anyone who remembers my father, or with anyone who has any questions about his service.

I am very proud to be his son. I thank him and every other member of the armed forces who defended our freedom in World War II, and every other war.

kurtlan@hawaiiantel.net

Radio Operator, shot down and evaded November 25, 1944, Plane 42-97685. Missing Air Crew Report, MACR, 10108.

Govatsos - Pilot (e)
Moffet - CoPilot (e)
Moran - Navigator (p)
Wildrick - (e)
Gubitosi - Bombardier (p)
Richards - Engineer (e)
Spohn - Radio Operator (e)
Swift - Waist Gunner (e)
Poteet - Waist Gunner (e)
Ray - Tail Gunner (e)

(p) = prisoner
(e) = evaded

Back Row L to R: 2nd Lt. Charles A.Govatsos, pilot (e); 2nd Lt. Arthur R. Moran, navigator (p); Sgt. John M. Swift, armorer & waist gunner (e); 2nd Lt. Lester Rury, Bombardier (not on 11/25/1944 mission); 2nd Lt. Charles F. Herbeck, copilot (not on 11/25/1944 mission).

Front Row L to R:Sgt. Gustav J. Spohn, radio operator (e); Sgt. Irving J. Linden, ball turret gunner (not on 11/25/1944 mission); Sgt. William H. Ray, Tail Gunner, tail gunner (e); Sgt. Roger R. Richards, flight engineer & top turret gunner (e); Sgt. Harold Poteet, waist gunner (e)

(e) = evaded (p) = prisoner Note: Gubutosi (radar navigator) was not a usual crew member, and is, therefore, not in the crew photo above. He was radar specialist and replaced Linden on the 11/25/1944 night time "Lone Wolf" mission during which most of the crew bailed out behind enemy lines. Also, Moffet (copilot) replaced the crew's usual copilot on this mission and is, therefore, also not in the crew photo above.

MACR: 10108

M/Sgt. Gustav J Spohn Jr was assigned to the 301st BG 353rd Squadron.
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS): Radio Operator.

The following information on Gustav Spohn is gathered and extracted from military records. We have many documents and copies of documents, including military award documents. It is from these documents that we have found this information on M/Sgt. Spohn. These serviceman's records are nowhere near complete and we are always looking for more material. If you can help add to Gustav Spohn's military record please contact us.