SSgt. Paul A. Branch, was crew chief for the 47th Bomb Squad, Army Air Corps, stationed in the Philippines and Gilbert Islands during World War II.
According to a memoir by Captain Joe Roop, the 47th completed 50 missions in the Gilbert/Marshall Campaign, mostly low level cannon strafing and some medium-level bomb runs. The low-level raids were in G Model #347 nicknamed "LOLA MAE." Medium altitude level missions were completed in "Mr. Lucky." A news item in 1944 said Mr. Lucky had spent 550 hours in combat on 65 missions -- and still operated on its original engines, thanks to Sgt Branch and his crew keeping the plane mechanically perfect.
Paul enlisted as a Private 22 Sept 1942 -"Term of 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." He returned home to the farm near Buffalo in 1946 as Staff Sergeant, and a changed man. He never married and died age 35 by his own hand. He was tall and thin (6'1" weight 182) a kind and lovable soul.
Army Serial Number: 38269718
According to a memoir by Captain Joe Roop, the 47th completed 50 missions in the Gilbert/Marshall Campaign, mostly low level cannon strafing and some medium-level bomb runs. The low-level raids were in G Model #347 nicknamed "LOLA MAE." Medium altitude level missions were completed in "Mr. Lucky." A news item in 1944 said Mr. Lucky had spent 550 hours in combat on 65 missions -- and still operated on its original engines, thanks to Sgt Branch and his crew keeping the plane mechanically perfect.
Paul enlisted as a Private 22 Sept 1942 -"Term of 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." He returned home to the farm near Buffalo in 1946 as Staff Sergeant, and a changed man. He never married and died age 35 by his own hand. He was tall and thin (6'1" weight 182) a kind and lovable soul.
Army Serial Number: 38269718
SSgt. Paul A. Branch, was crew chief for the 47th Bomb Squad, Army Air Corps, stationed in the Philippines and Gilbert Islands during World War II.
According to a memoir by Captain Joe Roop, the 47th completed 50 missions in the Gilbert/Marshall Campaign, mostly low level cannon strafing and some medium-level bomb runs. The low-level raids were in G Model #347 nicknamed "LOLA MAE." Medium altitude level missions were completed in "Mr. Lucky." A news item in 1944 said Mr. Lucky had spent 550 hours in combat on 65 missions -- and still operated on its original engines, thanks to Sgt Branch and his crew keeping the plane mechanically perfect.
Paul enlisted as a Private 22 Sept 1942 -"Term of 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." He returned home to the farm near Buffalo in 1946 as Staff Sergeant, and a changed man. He never married and died age 35 by his own hand. He was tall and thin (6'1" weight 182) a kind and lovable soul.
Army Serial Number: 38269718
According to a memoir by Captain Joe Roop, the 47th completed 50 missions in the Gilbert/Marshall Campaign, mostly low level cannon strafing and some medium-level bomb runs. The low-level raids were in G Model #347 nicknamed "LOLA MAE." Medium altitude level missions were completed in "Mr. Lucky." A news item in 1944 said Mr. Lucky had spent 550 hours in combat on 65 missions -- and still operated on its original engines, thanks to Sgt Branch and his crew keeping the plane mechanically perfect.
Paul enlisted as a Private 22 Sept 1942 -"Term of 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." He returned home to the farm near Buffalo in 1946 as Staff Sergeant, and a changed man. He never married and died age 35 by his own hand. He was tall and thin (6'1" weight 182) a kind and lovable soul.
Army Serial Number: 38269718
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
