1st Lt Brandon D Nuttall, 0708752

1st Lt Brandon D Nuttall, 0708752

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Welcome to my blog!

At Etain, France. Photo by Bob Searl.

(L-R) Art Wildern, Jr., Leo Szarfinski, Brandon Nuttall, Barton Townsend Williams.

I am researching my father's military service. Brandon D. Nuttall, serial number 0708752, was a P-47 pilot. He trained at Eagle Pass, Texas and Page Field, Florida. He served in the 9th Air Corp, 19th Tactical Air Command, 100th Fighter Wing, 362nd Fighter Group, 379th Fighter Squadron from October, 1944 to March 1945. All combat missions were flown from two airfields in France: A-79 (Prosnes) and A-82 (Etain). He received a unit citation, air medal, and oak leaf clusters during the course of 46 combat missions. One mission was in relief of Allied infantry trapped in a woods near Saurlatern, Germany, when he helped drop medical supplies to the troops. He was shot down near Bad Kreuznach, Germany, on March 18, 1945. He sustained a broken arm in the crash and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was captured, but within two days his captors surrendered to him. He turned them over to Allied infantry occupying the town. My dad almost never spoke of his WWII experience and passed away in 1982.

This BLOG is a record of my research to put his story and the records I have together. If you find this site, I would appreciate your comments. If you are a P-47 pilot or maybe served with and remember my dad, your stories and information are appreciated.

Wednesday, November 9, 2005

The fate of aircraft B8-J

The P-47 with tail number 44-33152 and fuselage markings B8-J was often identified by Dad as the plane he flew (see photos especially "Nuttall in flight"). In discussing who flew what plane at the reunion, pilots were assigned planes when the unit was formed (before Dad joined the unit). Thereafter, as planes were damaged and repaired and replacement pilots joined the unit, a pilot might fly whatever ship was available.

Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 13839 provides some information about the plane. The plane had no nickname, but on the left cowling was painted with an eagle carrying a 500 lb bomb and a machine gun. On April 4, 1945, on an air and ground support mission to Otmannshuasen, Germany, the flight was "bounced" by 25 to 30 FW-190's and ME-109's. The P-47, B8-J, flown by Lt. Charles W. Everett, was last seen in a "diving turn to the left with two 190's on his tail and two more circling in on him from the left." At this time, I don't know the fate of Lt. Everett.

8:31 am est

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Back from the Reunion

I had a wonderful time at the reunion of the 362nd in Tampa. Everyone was great and I must say that I am proud of my father and proud of the men with whom he served. I met Bob Searl and recorded him telling the story of the plasma drop mission. I recorded stories and tales from Stan Stepnitz, Andy Anderson, Art Rutledge, and others. It will be a while before I can sort through all the information and find out what more I need to ask.

To any reader that has a relative, church member, or whoever that is a WWII veteran, PLEASE take the time to sit down and record their stories. Just talk and take notes. Start by finding out when they joined up, where they went through basic, in what branch of the military did they serve, what unit, where, how did they get there. More questions will follow as experiences are remembered and related. Sit down with their photo album and talk about the pictures. Realize there may be some sensitive issues about which they don't want to speak; respect their feelings. Donate what you get to the local historical society.

9:14 pm est

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I'll make changes to this site on a regular basis, sharing news, views, experiences, photos...whatever occurs to me. Check back often!

I'll be including links that highlight areas of my weblog, timelines, pictures, and records.

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