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Death of a USAAF Pilot in late 1944 - Dutch East Indies

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by DaveB, Jun 22, 2021.

  1. DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    Apologies first, I am used to looking for information on British / Commonwealth personnel and do quite well at it.

    But not so well with American personnel.

    I have been provided with a few snippets of information that I am trying to turn into a name / specific incident -

    what I have so far is "Dick" Norrie (so I'm guessing that Richard is his first or middle name) who is described as being killed "recently" in a letter dated mid December 1944 that was mailed from the Dutch East Indies

    the friend who wrote the letter describes him as being "with him throughout pilot's training" and "together during my tour of duty in this theater"

    ***** I have tried a few google searches for USAAF / Norrie and looking for aircraft losses in that area in the last quarter of 1944 with no luck so far, so any suggestions are welcome *****

    Here's hoping


    Dave
     
    DaveB, Jun 22, 2021
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  2. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Give our sister site a try. British specific and some true WW2 history scholars.

    WW2Talk

    Good luck !

    Just realize I read the post wrong, no worries I do it all the time!
    Give this section a go;

    http://ww2f.com/search/42431475/?q=Dutch+East+Indies&o=date&c[node]=48

    I just checked Fold3.

    Richard R. Norrie service #0-669606 1Lt. 19 years old at enlistment. From New Jersey.

    That's all I can find so far.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2021
    Biak, Jun 22, 2021
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  3. ltdan

    ltdan Active Member

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    ltdan, Jun 22, 2021
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  4. DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    Thanks for the links Biak & Itdan - I now know his service details and with his name confirmed plus home state it leads to his burial details - Richard R. “Dick” Norrie (1923-1944) - Find A...

    USAAC First Lieutenant Richard R. “Dick” Norrie O-669606 of the 375th Troop Carrier Group (57th Troop Carrier Squadron) of 5th US Army Air Force who died October 24, 1944 - buried at Hollywood Memorial Park in Union County, New Jersey - born February 28th, 1923 in Boonton, Morris County, New Jersey

    The 375th Troop Carrier Group was based at Mokmer Airfield on Biak island in the Netherlands East Indies (Dutch New Guinea) from 27 September 1944 until February 1945 transporting troops, supplies, and equipment to forward bases on New Guinea, New Britain, the Solomon Islands, and the Admiralty Islands. They mainly operated C-47 and C-46 transport aircraft plus they used armed B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft for the more hazardous missions that involved landing on fields that were under enemy attack
     

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    Last edited: Jun 22, 2021
    DaveB, Jun 22, 2021
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  5. mcoffee

    mcoffee Son-of-a-Gun(ner)

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    I did not find an aircraft accident report for 24 October 1944 that would apply. To find the cause of death you should order his Individual Deceased Personnel File (IDPF) from the National Archives at St. Louis.

    Order Copies of Records
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2021
    mcoffee, Jun 24, 2021
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  6. DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    Thanks - I will look into that
     
    DaveB, Jun 24, 2021
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  7. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Biak Island you say?! Well now I Have To get the shovel out. It is very possible my uncles group, the 348 FG, hitched a ride from Lt Norrie's 375th. I remember him telling about having to ride in a C47 and not flying his P47 due to recently recovering from Dengue fever.

    In Itdan's post one of the links showed he died of a non combat injury so mcoffee's suggestion would be a goid way to go.

    I did find he was awarded the DFC 9/26/1943.

    5th Air Force in World War II - Honor Roll Project
     
    Biak, Jun 24, 2021
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  8. DaveB

    DaveB New Member

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    I was wondering if you would make the Biak connection
     
    DaveB, Jun 24, 2021
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  9. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    :kilroy:
    I wouldn't be surprised that I am among just a handful of folks other than the natives who can point Biak Island out on a map.
    Kinda like Ulithi. I think it's in the Pacific somewhere.
    :confused: Or Opana !
     
    Biak, Jun 24, 2021
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  10. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Seriously beautiful island north of Papua...

    [​IMG]
    upload_2021-6-25_11-53-34.jpeg
     
    CAC, Jun 24, 2021
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  11. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    He only points at Opana, or so I've read. ;)
     
    TD-Tommy776, Jun 25, 2021
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  12. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Well I haven't found any more, other than the 375th arrived at Port Moresby July 1943. The same time as the 348FG. They were based at the same areas at same dates throughout New Guinea to Japan.So it is more than certain they were joined. The 375th dropped paratroopers on Nadzab while the 348th flew cover escort. It most likely was one of the 375's planes than carried MacArthur so he could watch assault.
     
    Biak, Jun 26, 2021
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