Pooler in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
"Hell's Angels" - "Might in Flight" 303rd Bombardment Group (H)
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 28, 2013
1. "Hell's Angels" - "Might in Flight" Marker
Dedicated to All who served with 303rd BG (H)
by all the 303 BG (H) Association 13 May 1996
Located at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum
Inscription.
"Hell's Angels" - "Might in Flight" 303rd Bombardment Group (H). .
358th-359th-360th-427th Flight Squadrons supported by our essential dedicated Ground units, 12 Sept to 11 June 1945 - AAF Station 107 Molesworth, Huntingdonshire, England Constituted 28 Jan 1942 - Savannah, Georgia Inactivated 25 July 1945 - Casablanca, French Morocco Casualties303rd BG (H) B-17's Enemy Aircraft 841 KIA 210 Combat Losses 378 Destroyed 747 POW 104 Probables 67 Evadee 182 Damaged 29 Internee Two Medals of Honor Lt. Jack Mathis 18 Mar 1943 - T/Sgt Forrest Vosier 20 Dec 1943 Distinguished Unit Citation - 11 Jan 1944 Oschersleben, Germany One of the Eighth's pioneer Bomb Groups Most 8th AF B-17 Group combat missions (364) 2nd highest total sorties (10,721) 2nd highest bomb tonnage dropped (26,346) First to fly 300 missions from United Kingdom "Hell's Angels" 1st B-17 to fly 25 missions "Knockout Dropper" 1st B-17 to fly 50 and 75 missions The proud "Angels" Never Stood Down . ,
(Backside Plaque), The 303rd Bombardment Group (H) "Hells Angels" Combat Team at Molesworth. England, Air Combat Units 41st Combat Wing (H) Headquarters 303rd Bombardment Group (H) Headquarters 358th Bombardment Squadron (H) 359th Bombardment Squadron (H) 360th Bombardment Squadron (H) 427th Bombardment Squadron (H), Supported by Ground Units 3rd Station Complement Squadron 8th Dental Unit 18th Weather Squadron 202nd Finance Section 249th Medical Dispensary 303rd Station Hospital 328th Service Squadron which became the 444th Sub Depot 863rd Chemical Company 1114th Quartermaster Company 1199th Military Police Company 1681 Ordnance S and M Company 2097th Fire Fighting Platoon, 425th Air Service Group consisting of Headquarters and Base Service Squadron 575th Air Material Squadron 851st Air Engineering Squadron .
358th-359th-360th-427th Flight Squadrons supported
by our essential dedicated Ground units
12 Sept to 11 June 1945 - AAF Station 107
Molesworth, Huntingdonshire, England
Constituted 28 Jan 1942 - Savannah, Georgia
Inactivated 25 July 1945 - Casablanca, French Morocco
Casualties303rd BG (H) B-17's Enemy Aircraft
841 KIA 210 Combat Losses 378 Destroyed
747 POW 104 Probables
67 Evadee 182 Damaged
29 Internee Two Medals of Honor
Lt. Jack Mathis 18 Mar 1943 - T/Sgt Forrest Vosier 20 Dec 1943
Distinguished Unit Citation - 11 Jan 1944 Oschersleben, Germany
One of the Eighth's pioneer Bomb Groups
Most 8th AF B-17 Group combat missions (364)
2nd highest total sorties (10,721)
2nd highest bomb tonnage dropped (26,346)
First to fly 300 missions from United Kingdom
"Hell's Angels" 1st B-17 to fly 25 missions
"Knockout Dropper"
Click or scan to see this page online
1st B-17 to fly 50 & 75 missions
The proud "Angels" Never Stood Down
(Backside Plaque)
The 303rd Bombardment Group (H)
"Hells Angels" Combat Team
at Molesworth. England
Air Combat Units
41st Combat Wing (H) Headquarters
303rd Bombardment Group (H) Headquarters
358th Bombardment Squadron (H)
359th Bombardment Squadron (H)
360th Bombardment Squadron (H)
427th Bombardment Squadron (H)
Supported by Ground Units
3rd Station Complement Squadron
8th Dental Unit
18th Weather Squadron
202nd Finance Section
249th Medical Dispensary
303rd Station Hospital
328th Service Squadron which became the
444th Sub Depot
863rd Chemical Company
1114th Quartermaster Company
1199th Military Police Company
1681 Ordnance S & M Company
2097th Fire Fighting Platoon
425th Air Service Group consisting of
Headquarters & Base Service Squadron
575th Air Material Squadron
851st Air Engineering Squadron
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 11, 1945.
Location. 32° 6.934′ N, 81° 14.247′ W. Marker is in Pooler, Georgia, in Chatham County. Located adjacent to I-95, Georgia
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 17, 2003
2. Lt. Jack Mathis-World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
He is buried in Fairmount Cemetery (Block 86, Plot A, Row 1, Lot 10) San Angelo TX. He was Killed In Action. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *MATHIS, JACK W.
• Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, 359th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group
• Place and date: Over Vegesack, Germany, 18 March 1943 (Air Mission)
• Entered service at: San Angelo, Tex.
• G.O. No.: 38, 12 July 1943
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. 1st Lt. Mathis, as leading bombardier of his squadron, flying through intense and accurate antiaircraft fire, was just starting his bomb run, upon which the entire squadron depended for accurate bombing, when he was hit by the enemy antiaircraft fire. His right arm was shattered above the elbow, a large wound was torn in his side and abdomen, and he was knocked from his bomb sight to the rear of the bombardier's compartment. Realizing that the success of the mission depended upon him, 1st Lt. Mathis, by sheer determination and willpower, though mortally wounded, dragged himself back to his sights, released his bombs, then died at his post of duty. As the result of this action the airplanes of his bombardment squadron placed their bombs directly upon the assigned target for a perfect attack against the enemy. 1st Lt. Mathis' undaunted bravery has been a great inspiration to the officers and men of his unit.
exit 102,US 80 east, at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler GA 31322, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. 303rd Bombardment Group 'H'
Also see . . . 303d Bombardment Group, from Wikipedia. ...The 303d took part in the first penetration into Germany by heavy bombers of Eighth Air Force by
striking the U-boat yard at Wilhelmshaven on 27 January 1943 then attacked other targets such as the
ball-bearing plants at Schweinfurt, shipbuilding yards at Bremen, a synthetic rubber plant at Huls, an
aircraft engine factory at Hamburg, industrial areas of Frankfurt, an aerodrome at Villacoublay, and a
marshalling yard at Le Mans. ... (Submitted on March 10, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Don Morfe, July 1, 1999
3. T/Sgt Forrest L. Vosler-World War II Medal of Honor Recipient
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery Section 60, Site 4924. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: VOSLER, FORREST T. (Air Mission)
• Rank and organization: Technical Sergeant, U.S. Army Air Corps. 358th Bomber Squadron, 303d Bomber Group
• Place and date. Over Bremen, Germany, 20 December 1943
• Entered service at: Rochester, N.Y.
• G.O. No.: 73, 6 September 1944
Citation: For conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a radio operator-air gunner on a heavy bombardment aircraft in a mission over Bremen, Germany, on 20 December 1943. After bombing the target, the aircraft in which T/Sgt. Vosler was serving was severely damaged by antiaircraft fire, forced out of formation, and immediately subjected to repeated vicious attacks by enemy fighters. Early in the engagement a 20-mm. cannon shell exploded in the radio compartment, painfully wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the legs and thighs. At about the same time a direct hit on the tail of the ship seriously wounded the tail gunner and rendered the tail guns inoperative. Realizing the great need for firepower in protecting the vulnerable tail of the ship, T/Sgt. Vosler, with grim determination, kept up a steady stream of deadly fire. Shortly thereafter another 20-mm. enemy shell exploded, wounding T/Sgt. Vosler in the chest and about the face. Pieces of metal lodged in both eyes, impairing his vision to such an extent that he could only distinguish blurred shapes. Displaying remarkable tenacity and courage, he kept firing his guns and declined to take first-aid treatment. The radio equipment had been rendered inoperative during the battle, and when the pilot announced that he would have to ditch, although unable to see and working entirely by touch, T/Sgt. Vosler finally got the set operating and sent out distress signals despite several lapses into unconsciousness. When the ship ditched, T/Sgt. Vosler managed to get out on the wing by himself and hold the wounded tail gunner from slipping off until the other crewmembers could help them into the dinghy. T/Sgt. Vosler's actions on this occasion were an inspiration to all serving with him. The extraordinary courage, coolness, and skill he displayed in the face of great odds, when handicapped by injuries that would have incapacitated the average crewmember, were outstanding.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
4. "Hell's Angels" - "Might in Flight" Marker reverse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
5. "Hell's Angels" - "Might in Flight" Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
6. ooOld Soljer
Lt Col Lewis "Lew" E Lyle
360th BS & 303rd BG (H)
Lead pilot and commander
11. 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron "Meat Hound"
Lt. Col. Clayton C. David
Air Force Evader
Jan. 11, 1944 to Apr. 15, 1944 to May 25, 1944
Amsterdam to Spain to England
Approximately 60 helpers including
Joke M. Folmer, Dutch
Jacques Vrij, Dutch
Jean Arhex, French
Paule Arhex, French
(Upper) In honor of Col. William Heller's Crew
These men served brilliantly and flew
more than the required 25 combat missions
(Lower)"Satan's Workshop"
1st Lt George Edward Underwood and Crew
http://www.303rdbg.com/360heller.html Click for more information.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
13. 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Shot down Feb 24 1944
Mission to Schweinfurt, Germany
32. 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron - "Lucious Lady"
S/Sgt William T L Werner
Tail Gunner
Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Most memorable mission: - Mission #111, 22 February 1944, to Aschersleben, Germany in B-17F #42-5081 Luscious Lady 427th BS (GN-V). About an hour and one-half before reaching the target, during heavy German Fighter attacks, a 20 mm shell seriously injured Sgt William T.L. Werner, Tail Gunner from Lebanon, PA. Realizing that his B-17's survival depended upon him being able to defend it from rear attacks, he remained at his position and continued firing his guns without pause. About 20-30 minutes later Luscious Lady was hit by flak and Sgt Werner received additional wounds in his arms, abdominal area and leg. Only after all fighter attacks had ceased did Sgt Werner, weakened by the loss of blood, crawl to the waist gunner compartment where he collapsed. His survival was the result of his heated flying suit being knocked out and the freezing temperatures lowered his body temperature and helped his blood from his wounds coagulate quickly. Sgt Werner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (The second highest USAAF award). Click for more information.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
33. 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron - Crew #4494
41. 303 BG Window at the nearby Chapel of the Fallen Eagles
In Memory of our Glorious Dead
303rd Bomb Group
Molesworth England
1942 - 1945
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2013
42. 303rd Bombardment Group Banner
Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,679 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on March 17, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 22, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7, 8. submitted on March 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 9. submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 10. submitted on March 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 11, 12. submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. submitted on March 9, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 31. submitted on March 8, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. submitted on March 10, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 39, 40. submitted on May 5, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 41. submitted on March 17, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 42. submitted on March 18, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.