1938 residing at home.

Harry Edward, b Aug 23, 1919 d Jan 5 1944. Killed in B-17 action over Germany, Staff

Sgt. serial #33174344, US Army Air Corps. Buried in Cambridge Cemetery,

Coton, England. Plot F, Row 3, Grave 101 American Military Cemetery. His

address was APO 634 - 527 Bomb Sq, NY, NY. The 527 Bombardment

Squadron was part of the 379th Bomb Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force at

Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England. He was a ball turret gunner on the crew of

2/Lt Dale C Killion. According to 379th database records he flew 4 missions and

was killed in a mid-air collision on a mission to Kiel, Germany bombing the port

facilities. The collision occurred near Catsworth with a 303rd Bomb Group

plane, tail number 23-1441. Entire crew was lost (Bomb Group mission #56). His

last mission was in an aircraft named Rikki-Tikki Tavi II, B-17G serial number 42-

29747. Coincidentally, the co-pilot was a Chamberlain and 379th at the time also

had a Lester L. Pontius, ball turret gunner and Philip W. Pontius, pilot. 1937

graduate of Richland Tsp. High School. Member of Dunmire Lutheran Church,

Elton. At time of death, residence was New Orleans, La. Married Elizabeth

(Betty) Koval of 901 Coleman Ave. Had dau. Diane Nov 10, 1943 married 1.)

David Chaffon had child Bruce Chaffon b Oct 29, 1967, married 2). XXX Cox and

3). XXXX. Diane at Cowley #62, Spokane, Wash 99202 as of 1997.

Name: Bruce E Chaffon Birth Date: Oct 1967 Address: 26264 Rainbow Glen Dr, Santa Clarita, California 91321-1201 (1990)

Name: Bruce E Chaffon Birth Date: Oct 1967 Address: 1132 Riverbay Rd #A, Annapolis, Maryland 21401-0201 (1990)
[306 Riverview Dr #A, Annapolis, Maryland 21403-0501 (1989)]
[270 Ternwing Da, Arnold, Maryland 21012

Name: Bruce E Chaffon Birth Date: Oct 1967 Phone Number: 761-6302 Address: 2443 SE 142nd Av, Portland, Oregon 97233-1201 (1992)
[1725 SW 218th CT, Aloha, Oregon 97005]

1920 census living with parents in Cambria Co., Pa.

1930 census living with parents in Cambria Co., Pa.

1941 living on Vickroy Avenue, with sister Eliza and husband.

Enlisted at Ft. George Meade, 14 March 1942.

Johnstown City Directory

1940 machinist, 543 Vickroy

1941-2, laborer, A.T. McClure Glass Co. resides 543 Vickroy

1943-4 USA, resdied 543 Vickroy Ave, Ferndale

Dates of Military Service - March 14, 1942 to January 5, 1944.

Name: Harry E Hancock Birth Year: 1919 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Pennsylvania State of Residence: Pennsylvania County or City: Cambria Enlistment Date: 14 Mar 1942 Enlistment State: Maryland Enlistment City: Fort George G Meade Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of high school Civil Occupation: Semiskilled mechanics and repairmen, n.e.c. Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 66 Weight: 137

National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

November, 1943 Newspaper clipping

Harry E. Hancock was promoted to the grade of sergeant upon completing five weeks of intensive training at the flexible gunnery school of the Army Air Force at Tyndall Field, Fla. He is a brother of Mrs. Eliza Fisher of 543 Vickroy Ave.

World War II Scrapbooks, Johnstown Main Library, Vol 2, p41.

November 27, 1943 V-Mail Letter to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Hancock, R.D.#4, Johnstown, Pa. U.S.A.

Envelope postmarked Dec 10, 1943

From S/Sgt Harry E. Hancock, APO 634-527 Bomb Sq., N.Y., N.Y.

Hello Folks;

I hope you have been geeting the chance to read my letters to Sis, its very hard to write when there is very little that will go through.

I am gettin along fine so far, things will soon be getting rough by the way it looks tho. The food here is better than we got in the States, and more sleep too. We had a veryt nice Thanksgiving dinner, even turkey.

I hope you all have a nice Xmas, I only wish I were home with Betty. I still have not heard from her or anyone since I left the States. I sure hope they are both O.K.

Say hello to the kiddies for me and write and let me know how you all are.

There is no snow here but plenty of rain & fog.

Love,

Brother

Ball Turret Gunner on B-17, died in England in mid-air collision.

Staff Sergeant Serial # 33174344, APO634-527 Bomb Sq, NY, NY. return address on Nov 27, 1943 V-Mail

379th Bomb Group

See extensive file and pictures on him.

Awards

WWII Service Lapel Button, WWII Victory Medal, Purple Heart Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal w/2 bronze service star, Presidential Unit Citation.

Harry E. Hancocik Killed in Raid Over Germany

Staff Sgt. Harry Edward Hancock, 24, of 543 Vickroy Ave/. Ferndale, was killed on his fourth bombing mission over Germany, according to information from the War Department.

The flier, a turret gunner on a Flying Fortress, had been stationed in England for the past two months. His widow, the former Betty Koval of 901 Coleman Ave., and their two-month-old daughter, Diane Elaine, reside at 1902 Army Parkway, New Orleans, La.

Sgt. Hancock was born on Aug. 23, 1919 in Richland Twp., a son of the late T. Frank and Harriet (Stapleton) Hancock. He graduated from Twp. High School in 1937 and worked for the McClure Glass Company before entering the Army Air Forces in March, 1942.

The soldier trained at Lowery Field, Colo.; Key Field, Miss., and at Pyote and Dalhart, Tex. He graduated from the flexible gunnery school at Tyndall Field, Fla., on Dec. 1, 1943. He and the former Miss Koval were married on Oct. 10, 1942, at Key Field, Miss.

In addition to his widow and daughter, he is survived by one sister, Eliza, wife of Clyde Fisher of 543 Vickroy Ave., with whom he formerly resided, and three brothers - Charles and Paul Hancock of Johnstown R. D. 2 and Ralph Hancock of Johnstown R. D. 5. The deceased was a ember of the Dunmire Lutheran Church, Elton.

January 17, 1944, Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Obituary in family records

The War Department yesterday informed Johnstown relatives that Staff Sgt. Harry Edward Hancock, 24, of 543 Vickroy Ave., Ferndale was killed in action Jan. 5 during a bombing mission over Germany.

Relatives said that Sgt. Hancock, a turret gunner on a Flying Fortress, was participating in his fourth raid over enemy-occupied territory when he lost his life.

The soldier's widow, the former Betty (Elizabeth) Koval of 901 Coleman Ave., (Johnstown) and their two-month old daughter, Diane Elaine, reside in New Orleans, La.

Sgt. Hancock was born in Richland Twsp. Au. 23, 1919, a son of the late T. Frank and Harriet (Stapleton) Hancock. He was graduated from Richland Twsp. High School with the class of 1937 and was employed by the McClure Glass Co. before entering the Air Force in Mar. 1942.

The flier received training with the A. A. F. at Lowry Field, Colo., Key Field, Miss. and at Pyote and Dalhart, Tex. He was graduated from the flexible gunnery school at Tyndall Field, Fla., last Dec. 1 and was assigned to duty in England a short time after.

Besides his widow and daughter, the flyer leaves a sister, Mrs. Clyde Fisher, 543 Vickroy Ave., with whom he formerly resided, and three brothers - Charles and Paul Hancock, Johnstown R. D. 2, and Ralph Hancock, Johnstown, R. D. 5. The flier was a member of the Dunmire Lutheran Church, Elton.

Note: Assumed to be from the Johnstown Tribune or Johnstown Democrat.

Memorial Service for Sgt. Hancock

Elton - Memorial services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Dunmyer Lutheran Church here for Staff Sgt. Harry Edward Hancock, 24, a life long member member of the church, who lost his life on a bombing mission iver Germany on Jan. 5, 1944. The service will be conducted by Rev. Maurice M. Smeal, pastor of the church.

Staff Sgt. Hancock was turret gunner on a Flying Fortress and was on his fourth bombing mission when he lost his life. He was born in Richland Township on Aug. 23. 1919, a son of the late T. Frank and Harriet (Stapleton) Hancock. After graduation from Richland Twp. High School in 1937 he was employed by the McClure Glass Company prior to entering the Army Air Forces in March, 1942

Sgt. Hancock trained at Lowery Field, Colo.: Key Field, Miss.; Pyote and Dalhart, Tex., and was graduated from the gunnery school at Tyndale Field, Fla., on Dec. 2, 1943. On Oct. 10, 1942 he married Miss Betty Koval of 901 Coleman Ave, Johnstown. He has a child, Diane Elaine. Sgt. Hancock was a brother of Mrs. Clyde Fisher 543 Vickroy Ave.; Charles, Johnstown; Pau, Johnstown, R. D. @, and Ralph, Johnstown, R. D. 5.

May 4, 1944 Johnstown Tribune-Democrat.

Buried in Cambridge Cemetery Plot F, Row 3, Grave 101 American Military Cemetery.

Name: Harry E Hancock Inducted From: Pennsylvania Rank: Staff Sergeant Combat Organization: 327th Bomber Squadron 379th Bomber Death Date: 5 Jan 1944 Monument: Cambridge, England Last Known Status: Buried U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal

Source Information:

National Archives and Records Administration. World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas . Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000. Original data: National Archives and Records Administration. Register, World War II Dead Interred in American Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil and World War II and Korea Missing or Lost or Buried at Sea. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration.

Served WWII

A Tribute to Our Men and Women in the Service

Volume 3, BCGS Publication #113, Copyright 2002

Blair Co., Pa. Historical Society, clipping # 110

This B-17 Superfortress and crew were assigned to the 527th Squadron of the 379th Bomb Group. On January 5, 1944 the plane had an accident taking off in the darkness from a base in England and the ten crewmembers perished. On April 28, 1949 seven of the ten crewmembers were buried in Section E Site 35 at the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Ky.

2/Lt Dale C. Killion, Pilot

2/Lt Paul R. Chamberlain, Copilot

2/Lt Robert L. DeGroff Jr, Navigator

2/Lt Remy Bourque, Bombardier

T/Sgt Earl Crumpton, Top Turrent Gunner

S/Sgt Kenneth R. Matlack, Right Waist Gunner

Sgt Victor R. Morphonios, Left Waist Gunner

S/Sgt Morris Weiss, Tailgunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Location C 1 14

T/Sgt Hubert C. McIntyre, R Gunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Location B 5 17

S/Sgt Harry E. Hancock, Gunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery, Location F 3 101

Association records show Sgt. McIntyre assigned to a/c 42-29747,
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi II" on the June 5, 1944 mission to Kiel, Germany. This aircraft, according to our records, collided with a B-17 from the 303rd Bomb Group departing from Molesworth shortly after takeoff. Both aircraft crashed near Catworth, England.
Crew for this aircraft on the June 5, 1944 mission, and what was Sgt McIntyre's regular crew, was as follows:
Killion, Dale C 2nd Lt Pilot KIA Harwick, IA
Chamberlain, Paul R 2nd Lt Co-Pilot KIA Auburn, WA
Degroff, Robert L 2nd Lt Nav KIA Maplewood, NJ
Bourque, Remy 2nd Lt Bomb KIA Opelousa, LA
McIntyre, Hubert G TSgt Radio Op KIA Detroit, MI
Crumpton, Earl TSgt Top Turret KIA Ogden, KS
Hancock, Harry E SSgt Ball Turret KIA New Orleans, LA
Matlack, Kenneth R SSgt Right Waist KIA Tuppers Plains, OH
Morphonios, Victor R Sgt Left Waist KIA Miami, FL
Weiss, Morris (NMI) SSgt Tail KIA New York, NY

http://www.379thbga.org/379thb26/forum/forumviewtopic.php?690

This B-17 Superfortress, 42-29747, "Rikki-Tikki Tavi II," and crew were assigned to the 527th Squadron of the 379th Bomb Group. On January 5, 1944 the plane had an accident taking off in the darkness from a base in England and the ten crewmembers perished. The target was the shipyard and industrial area at Kiel, Germany. On April 28, 1949 seven of the ten crewmembers were buried in Section E Site 35 at the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery, Louisville, Ky.

2/Lt Dale C. Killion, Pilot

2/Lt Paul R. Chamberlain, Copilot

2/Lt Robert L. DeGroff Jr, Navigator

2/Lt Remy Bourque, Bombardier

T/Sgt Earl Crumpton, Gunner

S/Sgt Kenneth R. Matlack, Gunner

Sgt Victor R. Morphonios, Gunner

S/Sgt Morris Weiss, Tailgunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery

T/Sgt Hubert C. McIntyre, Radio operator, Gunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery

S/Sgt Harry E. Hancock, Gunner Buried at the Cambridge American Cemetery F 3 101

All Missions Flown By: Dale C Killion

Of The 379th Bomb Group 527 Squadron

Missions Flown: 4

Mission Date Mission No Aircraft No City Country Target

12/13/1943 48 42-37805 Bremen Germany Port Area

12/16/1943 49 42-37732 Bremen Germany Port Area

1/4/1944 55 42-31093 Kiel Germany Port Facilities

1/5/1944 56 42-29747 Kiel Germany Port Facilities

This information was provided by:

Richard Lewis
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701
Websites:

E-mail: swampfire1944@gmail.com

Hancock, Harry Edward, b Aug 23, 1919 d Jan 5 1944. Killed in B-17 action over Germany, Staff Sgt., US Army Air Corps. Buried in Cambridge Cemetery, Coton, England. Plot F, Row 3, Grave 101 American Military Cemetery. The 527 Bombardment Squadron was part of the 379th Bomb Group (Heavy) of the 8th Air Force at Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England. He was a ball turret gunner on the crew of 2/Lt Dale C Killion. According to 379th database records he flew 4 missions and was killed in a mid-air collision on a mission to Kiel, Germany bombing the port facilities. The collision occurred near C(h)atsworth with a 303rd Bomb Group plane, tail number 23-1441. Entire crew was lost (Bomb Group mission #56). His last mission was in an aircraft named Rikki-Tikki Tavi II, B-17G serial number 42- 29747. Relatives said that Sgt. Hancock, a turret gunner on a Flying Fortress, was participating in his fourth raid over enemy-occupied territory when he lost his life. He entered the Air Force in Mar. 1942. The flier received training with the A. A. F. at Lowry Field, Colo., Key Field, Miss. and at Pyote and Dalhart, Tex. He was graduated from the flexible gunnery school at Tyndall Field, Fla., last Dec. 1 and was assigned to duty in England a short time after. Buried in Cambridge Cemetery Plot F, Row 3, Grave 101 American Military Cemetery.

http://flgrube1.tripod.com/id234.html

When killed, address of record was New Orleans, La.

B-17F 42-29747 TIKKI-TAVI II 379BG 526BS 42-29747 Delivered: Denver 12/2/43; Walker 27/2/43; Smoky Hill 13/3/43; Presque Is 8/4/43; Assigned: 339BS/96BG Grafton Underwood 18/4/43; Andrews Fd 13/5/43; Snetterton 12/6/43; Transferred: 526BS/379BG [LF-D] Kimbolton 12/7/43; coll Pilot: 42-31441 (303BG), crashed Catworth, Hunts. UK, assembling for Kiel 5/1/44 w/Dale Killian, Co-Pilot: Paul Chamberlain, Navigator: Bob DeGroff, Bombardier: Remy Bourque, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Huberet McIntyre, Radio Operator: Earl Crumpton, Ball Turret Gunner: Harry Hancock, Waist Gunner: Vic Morphonios, Waist Gunner: Ken Matlak, Tail Gunner: Morris Weiss (10KIA); Salvaged. RIKKI-TIKKI-TAVI II. Source: B-17 Master Log - Dave Osbourne

http://www.8thafhs.com/db/getoneacgroup.php?acgroup_id=26