Trying to find information on Grandfather in law

Hello everyone,
I am currently trying to find information on my wife's grandfather. All that I know is what I have posted below. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2007 and noone knows where his records are.

Name: Carl Raymond Schwenk
He served in WWII and was the radioman in a bomber for 25 missions over Germany, flying out of England.

Here is the only document that I have been able to find online, which is his enlistment record.
Name: Carl R Schwenk Birth Year: 1922 Race: White, citizen (White) State of Residence: Pennsylvania County or City: Schuylkill Enlistment Date: 19 Apr 1943 Enlistment State: Pennsylvania Enlistment City: Allentown Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: Grammar school Civil Occupation: Farm hands, general farms Marital Status: Separated, with dependents Height: 44 Weight: 108


I also have a single picture, which I am sorry about the flash and the relatively poor quality of my picture of it. I was in a rush. There is no identifying artwork or other details on the plane unfortunately.


It looks like they are standing in front of a B-24, though I am not sure what type of B-24 as there is a window above the lower glazing that I haven't seen on a B-24 before. I checked the back of the photograph, but it is a reproduction, so it didn't give me any information other than the sticky note taped to the back which listed the crew.

Crew:
Pilot: Jack Wells Ada, Ok
Co-Pilot: Karl Railes Dunbar, Va
Navigator: John Ramey Memphis, Tenn
Engineer: A.K. Schoenfelt Bridgeport, Ct
Armorer: Gerald Hughes Coal Run, Oh
Ball Gunner: Carl Schroeder Chicago, IL
Nose Gunner: Cliff Verville Bridgeport, Ct
Radioman: Carl R. Schwenk Mckeansburg, PA
Tail Gunner: Bob Stemple, Thomas W.VA

It is interesting that there were three Carl/Karls on the plane, and two people from Bridgeport.

Unfortunately, that is all the information that I have. I want to learn as much as I can about him, especially what squadron he was in, that way I can provide my Mother-in-law with information about her father. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Alex

 

It looks like a B-24 to me also. But I'm no plane expert.


The only thing I can suggest is filling out an OMPF for him. If you go to the National Archives website, you can print off the form. I will say this though, it didn't help me much. I had more info than what they did. But it may be different for you.

OK, I see that you can't see what unit he was in. That would help. Maybe if the OMPF came back with info on what unit he was with, that would help you and give you another source of info.


I don't think his height and weight are correct though. Not if he's in that picture. All those guys would be very very small.

 

I found the information on Ancestry.com, and I think that that isn't the only thing that is wrong. His marital status is listed as seperated, with dependents, when in fact he got my grandmother-in-law pregnant, married her, then enlisted.

I will fill out an SF-180 and see where that gets me, thanks.

 

Interesting. I will be sending out the SR-180 tomorrow. Here's hoping they have something. Thank you for the help so far.

 

Hi - If you have been on Ancestry did you pick up the SS Death Index? Carl R Schwenk DOD 30.04.2007 - 17961 Orwigsbury, Schylkill (not sure if I have spelt this right as I cant read my handwritten notes!) There is also an entry on the 1930 census which shows his parents. Good luck with your search.

 

I don't know if this will help much, but I did find the tail gunner, Bob Stemple: Robert A. Stemple 1918-2008

 

Found them......446th Bomb Group.....lists Stemple, Wells, Verville and I'm sure the others! Also saw Carl Schwenk


http://www.446bg.com/

 

OOppppsss....go to Rosters if the link isn't correct and go from there.....It's a start and best wishes on your search for more!

Regards
Clint

 

Alex,

Sorry for posting so many times instead of getting it all in at once but go through everything on the website and anywhere else....I say that out of experience researching my Great Uncles service with the 94th BG...He(your relative) may have been assigned to Wells' crew but chances are he flew with others and on more than one B24....Just an example but My Uncle at times was on 17's in the 306th,100th and 94th BG's and I have found or documented no less than 5 or 6 different planes with those changing as I dig and dig.....any way best of luck!

Regards
Clint

 

Yep. They're all listed there, though some of the names are spelled slightly different (i.e. Raikes instead of Railes). Well done, Clint.

 

Thanks, TD.....I aim to please and help where I can, I have picked up a few tricks and lessons here and else where from some real experts and historians....Gotta give back just like those that helped me when I started or else it's a long confusing search!!!! but I will admit its's always an experience in learning and one heck of a good time!!!!!!

 

I agree 100%, Clint. I couldn't have said it better.

 

Another thing Alex......there are some experts here and learn from their knowledge but also go check out www.armyairforces.com and look up the 446thBG in the group heading.....may find something or someone there as well!

 

Thank you guys very much. This has been a gigantic help. I do agree that he probably bounced around different planes because apparently he was also on a B-17 for some of the missions from what my Mother-in-law remembered.

You guys don't know how happy I am to have this information.

 

Please keep us updated on your research. When you get enough info together, please consider honoring him in the Roll of Honor & Memories WWII section.

 

Sounds like a great idea. I fill definitely keep you guys posted. I will be sending out the Form-180 sometime today.