Sgt Norman C Messa was the Tail Gunner in the Burke Flight crew. The crew completed most of their training in the mainland US. Then in Nov 1944 they started combat duty in the 392nd Bombardment Squadron. Their first missions would have been flown out of Saipan and would have had Iwo Jima and Truk as their main targets.

In February of 1945 they transferred to the 867th Bombardment Squadron in the 494th Bomb Group.

The members of the Burke crew were:

George A Burke (Pilot)

David W Simmons (Co-Pilot)

Maurice R Hinckley Jr (Navigator)

Josiah A Stearns (Bombardier)

Richard E Womble (Engineer)

Robert J Knarr (Radio Operator)

James J Kamba (Gunner)

Walter F Kania (Gunner)

Norman C Messa (Tail Gunner)

James T Kearney (Gunner)

The Burke crew usually flew a plane named DEADEYE II, but they also flew in a number of other planes during their time with the 392nd Bombardment Squadron.

Some of the missions flown by the Burke crew while withe the 392nd Bomb Squadron were:

Date/Target: 2 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Lady from Hades, #44-41613

Date/Target: 4 Dec 1944 - Pagan Island -----Airplane B-24: Little Joe, #42-72984

Date/Target: 8 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Bombs Lullaby, #42-72988

Date/Target: 12 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Patriotic Patty, #42-73494

Date/Target: 14 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Thar She Blows III, #44-41468

Date/Target: 20 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Lady from Hades, #44-41613

Date/Target: 24 Dec 1944 - Chichi Jima -----Airplane B-24: Tropical Trollop, #42-100405

Date/Target: 30 Dec 1944 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Bombs Lullaby, #42-72988

Date/Target: 3 Jan 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 11 Jan 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 14 Jan 1945 - Truk Atoll -----Airplane B-24: Thar She Blows III, #44-41468

Date/Target: 18 Jan 1945 - Haha Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 23 Jan 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 27 Jan 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 30 Jan 1945 - Woleai Atoll -----Airplane B-24: Bugs Bomby Jr., #44-41466

Date/Target: 1 Feb 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Bugs Bomby Jr., #44-41466

Date/Target: 7 Feb 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Pacific Passion, #44-41500

Date/Target: 11 Feb 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

Date/Target: 15 Feb 1945 - Iwo Jima -----Airplane B-24: Deadeye II, #42-73425

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More information about the 30th Bombardment Group:

30th Bombardment Group (Heavy)

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