Clarksburg Ohio Airmen and the 18th Depot Repair Squadron in Iran during World War II

A rarely covered but interesting part of World War II was the American effort in Iran assigned to supply Russia with weapons and equipment to fight the Germans on the Eastern front. The 18th Depot Repair Squadron was based in Abadan, Iran staffed with technical ground crew tasked with receiving American made aircraft oftentimes packed in crates, assemble and test them, and hand them off to Russian pilots to fly off to war.

Proudly, two Clarksburg Ohio men, Paul Willis and Scott Dinkler served in this unit. Dinkler served as a mechanic and Willis along the flight line interfacing with pilots during the test flight procedure. Later, Willis was assigned flying duty and served as a flight engineer aboard a number of the group's specially modified transport aircraft designed to carry VIP's from one point to the next throughout the Middle East. During this period, he spent a considerable amount of time based in Teheran, Iran.

The video above is a collection of photos Mr. Willis gave to Vic Cleary in 2005 to include in his collection of Clarksburg Ohio World War II memorabilia. If you like rare photos of World War II aircraft you will enjoy this video!

Ater and Prince meet in Hawaii, Crabb flies 53rd mission and Trapp his 13th, Hawkins aboard the USS Stack supports landing

On this day in Ohio World War II history, Clarksburg soldiers, airmen, and sailors experience a significant day of activity:

December 30, 1942: Joe Ater writes home from Hawaii where he is repairing generators and aircraft voltage regulators in the Army Air Force. Joe mentions that Murrell Prince stopped by to see him.

December 30, 1943: S/SGT Charles Crabb participates in his 53rd and final combat mission over German targets in Yugoslavia. Crabb was attached to the 12th Bomb Group’s 81st Bomb Squadron flying as aircraft armorer and top turret gunner aboard a B-25 Mitchell bomber. S/Sgt Crabb prepares to rotate home and be discharged from the Army Air Force after meritorious service. Eventually, he will become the first Clarksburg soldier home from regular fighting.

December 30, 1944: Amos Morris writes to Clarksburg High School Superintendant Pryor Timmons from the South Pacific saying he had seen some interesting things, but some things he never wants to see again. Cary “Scoop” Skinner departs the U.S. bound for the Asiatic-Pacific Theater serving as a Mail Orderly in the 116th Medical Battalion of the 41st Infantry Division. Norman Trapp pilots his 13th bombing mission on Kaiserlauten, Germany in B-17 44-8045 "The Pathfinder," operating the Army Air Force's “experimental” radar targeting device. A rare photo of 44-8045 is above left in the foreground. Note the radar replacing the ball turret gun position in the belly of the aircraft. Ralph Hawkins, aboard the USS Stack destroyer and part of Navy Task Group 78.5, departs the Philippines for Sansapor, New Guinea heading for Lingayen Gulf to support "Blue Beach" landing.

December 30, 1945: Donald Satchell is discharged from the U.S. Army at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Francis Ater arrives the United States.

Dean arrives North Africa, Minnix departs U.S. for the ETO, Garrison describes training to parents

Today in Clarksburg, Ohio World War II history:

December 29, 1942: Kenneth Dean's troopship docks in North Africa.

December 29, 1943: Clifford Minnix departs the U.S. bound for the European Theater serving as a radio operator in Battery D, 129th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Don Garrison writes his parents from Camp Pickett, Virginia detailing his rigid training in the desert alongside the 81st Division as well as landing craft training in Florida. John Kirkwood Sr. writes a note to the men at the Chillicothe Paper Company (Mead Paper) thanking them for their donation of cigarettes to the soldiers in Italy.

December 29, 1945: Dwight Willis is discharged from the Army Air Force.

Future Clarksburg NASA engineer continues experimental work

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II History:

December 20, 1942: Richard Pabst departs Ft. Benjamin Harrison for Ft. Barrancas, FL attached to the 764th MP Battalion, B Company, 2nd Platoon

December 20, 1945: Hoyt Graham departs Wright Field in Dayton for Ladd Field, Alaska to perform experimental engine testing.

PHOTO: Clarksburg brothers and Army Air Force officers Solon and Hoyt Graham.

World War II: 576th Bomb Squadron win an excellent crew, 23rd Infantry Regiment regroups from initial shock of Battle of the Bulge

On this day in Clarksburg World War II history:

December 19, 1943: Lt. Jack Morris’ B-24 crew (pictued left) gets assigned to the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bomb Group, 576th Bomb Squadron based at Wendling, England.

December 19, 1944: Dwight Overly enlists in the U.S. Army at Fort Hayes, Ohio. Willis Cleary and the remainder of the Provisionary Reserve Group leave their defensive position along the Elsenborn Ridge near Berg, Belgium, pair off for safety and march 12 miles back to Camp Elsenborn through the cold and snow, to reform the 23rd Infantry Regiment’s Personnel Section. Visit this excellent site featuring the 2nd Infantry Division monument erected in the Twin Villages (Krinkelt/Rocherath, Belgium) by Pierre Constant to honor the men from the 2nd Infantry Division who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

T/5 Cokonougher Awarded Bronze Star during Battle of the Bulge, Army Air Force Training continues

Today in Clarksburg Ohio World War II history:

December 17, 1942: Thomas Pearce receives his wings following the completion of training in Midland, Texas.

December 17, 1943: Solon Graham departs the San Antonio Classification Center and enters Pre-Flight School.

December 17, 1944: Solon Graham Departs Ellington Field, Texas bound for Westover Field, Massachusetts following flight training in the Beech AT-10 (AT-10 cockpit). Wayne Cokonougher, Artillery truck driver for the 740th Field Artillery Battalion, Battery A, (photo top left) was awarded the The Bronze Star for evacuating heavy equipment and artillery pieces from the front line during German attack on St. Vith, Belgium (Battle of the Bulge). According to military records, “T/5 Cokonougher distinguished himself by meritorious achievement on 17-18 December, 1944 in Belgium. According to the actual citation “Cokonougher, serving as a tractor driver, distinguished himself during the evacuation of vehicles, howitzers, and ammunition, from positions threatened by enemy action. Despite enemy artillery time fire over {his} battery’s position near St. Vith and small arms fire into the area near Poteus, T/5 Cokonougher did not at any time seek cover or cease his efforts to evacuate threatened material. Under adverse conditions of weather and in muddy terrain presenting extremely difficult traction, T/5 Cokonougher’s resourcefulness and untiring efforts were directly responsible for the evacuation of considerable amounts of ammunition and material. The determination and devotion to duty without regard for his own safety displayed by T/5 Cokonougher served as an inspiration to all members of his unit and reflects credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.” Read the After Action Report following this action, it's fascinating.