Clarksburg Ohio World War II veterans active on March 4:

Today in Ohio World War II history. Clarksburg Ohio WWII veterans are very active.

March 4, 1942: William Merz travels in a long convoy of ships down the east coast of the Atlantic seaboard sailing from the U.S. to the Pacific Theater.

March 4, 1943: Following a dead-stick crashlanding in a farm field north of Eglin Field, Florida, Charles Crabb and his crew are assigned a new B-25 and depart Eglin for Greenville, SC arriving safely this time by 9pm. Roger Bryant, attached to the 330th Engineers, arrives India.

March 4, 1944: After flying his 53rd mission, Charles Crabb departs the ETO bound for the United States to eventually serve as an aerial gunnery instructor in South Carolina. Gerald Bethel, aboard the USS Bache, participates in the shelling of Ndrillo and Karunia Islands in the Admiralty Islands.

March 4, 1945: Norman Trapp flies his 18th bombing mission attached to the 351st Bomb Group on Schwabmunchen in B-17 44-8455. (pictured: Norman Trapp front row, center). The following link is an excellent video of 351st Bomb Group B-17's taking off for a mission. Attached is another excellent video with raw footage from a sqaudron of bomber crews being interviewed after a raid. B-17 Crew Interviews

March 4, 1946: Eugene Mace is discharged from the U.S. Navy at Great Lakes Training Center, IL.

Crabb training in the B-25, USS Denver departs to support the invasion of the Philippines

On this day in Ohio World War II history. Clarksburg Ohio soldiers, sailors and airman keep to a busy schedule but report back regularly to their families in Ross County for regular updates.

January 4, 1943: Charles Crabb (photo left) sees a Japanese Zero for the first time while based in Greenville S.C. The captured Zero was flown to the base for detailed enemy aircraft study. The same day, Crabb flies a training mission in a B-25 Mitchell bomber from Greenville, SC to Atlanta, GA. At this point in his training, he writes to his parents that he has been flying regular training missions and keeping very busy preparing for eventual rotation overseas. Paul McCormick transfers to Duncan Field, Texas.

January 4, 1944: Scott Dinkler is discharged from an Army hospital in Oran after recovering from a leg infection received while working on aircraft in Abadan Iran. Scott returns to his regular duties.

January 4, 1945: Curtis Willis departs Whittier, Alaska bound for the mainland U.S. Marcus Ater, aboard the USS Denver, departs San Pedro Bay to help provide firing cover for the landings at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines.

January 4, 1946: Eugene Overly’s ship docks in the United States.

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.