T/Sgt. August B. Marinelli
T/Sgt Marinelli entered the Army Air Force in December 1942. He trained as a radio/gunner and was attached to the 344th BG 495th BS.
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S/Sgt. Marinelli with his training crew.
On D-Day the 344th BG led all Allied bombers. They destroyed enemy pillboxes with large bombs and dropped small bombs to create foxholes on Utah Beach. The result was far fewer casualties as Omaha Beach. 197 deaths vs 2000.
If Lt. Col. Norgaard piloted the first plane, Marinelli under Lt. Fitzwater was not far behind in position 1-2-5.
The crew that day was; 2nd Lt. Fitzwater pilot, 2nd Lt. Middleton co-pilot, S/Sgt Beckshaw bombardier, S/Sgt Marinelli Radio Operator and Side Gunner, Sgt. Smith gunner, and Sgt. McCarter gunner.
At 4:16am Marinelli and crew took off. The plane they flew for that mission was 42-107625 Esquire Y5-T.
.Fitzwater reported that their 16 – 250lb bombs were dropped on target at 6:09am. The bombs were dropped from an altitude of 6,200 ft. They returned to base at 7:50. They encountered weak and inaccurate flak.
At one point Marinelli and some buddies visited London while on leave and took some time to see the sights.
.On June 11, T/Sgt. Marinelli and crew flew a mission to Conde Sur Noireau to attack German defenses. Conditions made it impossible to drop bombs. This was always a frustration after enduring enemy anti-aircraft guns.
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After just 39 missions was awarded the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. He was also promoted to T/Sgt. See promotion announcement below.
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While stationed in England he met and married his wife Jean.