Jesse Acombs 1
Mentioned in letters as: Jesse Acombs
In the letters
Primary flight instructor Austin named after a lesson that included acrobatics.
Researched note
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Shipmates, crewmates, training classmates, relatives and friends in service, and named officers he flew with or tracked as fellow servicemen. Home civilians, celebrities, and enemy leaders are omitted. Counts are letter mention totals from the transcriptions. Each entry separates what the letters say from outside research.
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Add to the Story Add a PhotoMentioned in letters as: Jesse Acombs
Primary flight instructor Austin named after a lesson that included acrobatics.
Mentioned in letters as: Alexander Alexion
Named once among the officers on Austin’s new B-29 crew in July 1945 (with K. G. Smith, Doganges, and Butler). Likely the “Alexander Alepine” signature on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18 (spelling uncertain).
Not independently verified beyond the letters (and group context).
Mentioned in letters as: Armstrong
Original bombardier on Austin’s crew; left sick in California (Mather Field) before combat. Appears with Cook and Phillips in the Great Bend crew photo.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Beattie
Listed as a gunner on the Lucas crew roster Austin wrote out in July 1945 (City of Charlottesville period).
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: L. E. Binder
Navigator on Austin’s earlier crew (also written BINONER / Bindue). His father died while they were overseas; Austin later reported Bindue’s plane was shot down off Japan with four parachutes seen.
Registry search attempted; not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: John Bishop
Hometown friend Austin tracked through the war: back at Ft. Meade, Maryland, expecting to go overseas (May 1944); by February 1945 Austin heard from Geraldine that John B. was a prisoner of Germany and asked home to confirm; by mid-1945 he asked how John and A.V. looked after return to the States.
Not independently verified beyond the letters. Registry search attempted.
Mentioned in letters as: Boley
Bombardier on the Lucas crew list Austin recorded in July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Frank Bonds's boy
Son of Frank Bonds; Austin asked whether anyone had heard from him after the North Africa campaign and later noted he still had no word.
Mentioned in letters as: P. F. Butler
Named once among the officers on Austin’s new July 1945 crew. Matches “Paul Butler” on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Caunce
When Capt. Cook became operations officer (March 1945), Austin wrote that their new airplane commander was “a nice fellow Caunce.” Lucas soon appears as A/C in later letters.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Clifford
Relative/friend Austin wrote V-mail throughout training and combat. Letters place him on desert maneuvers (Austin’s California train passed that area), then New Guinea by March 1944; by July 1945 he had enough points to leave the Army but expected to stay overseas longer. Surname only in the letters.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: E. A. Cook
Airplane commander of Austin’s early B-29 crew (Capt., later Major); roommate at Great Bend; wife Betty; plane nicknamed Battling/Battin Betsy. Later operations officer in the 19th Bomb Group. Austin often flew and roomed with him.
No independent public biography or ABMC plaque matched with certainty (common surname). Service details above come from Austin’s letters within the verified 19th BG / 93rd Squadron world (Austin himself is named on the City of Memphis plaque). Do not confuse with unrelated Cooks in other bomb groups.
Registry search attempted (ABMC / unit histories); no clear personal plaque found.
Mentioned in letters as: Couell
Tail gunner on the Lucas crew roster of July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Ira Cutrell
Enlisted man on Austin’s new July 1945 crew list. May correspond to one of the harder-to-read standing signatures (Ricker / Cotter / Frost) on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18; handwriting match is uncertain.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: W. E. Cutrer
Enlisted man on Austin’s new July 1945 crew list. May correspond to one of the harder-to-read standing signatures (Ricker / Cotter / Frost) on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18; handwriting match is uncertain.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Czajkoski
Gunner on the Lucas crew roster Austin wrote in July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: T. N. Daniels
Enlisted man on Austin’s new July 1945 crew list. Matches “Tommy Daniels” on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Johnny Doganges
Named once among the officers on Austin’s new July 1945 crew. Likely the “J. DeGange” signature on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Sgt. Dyckl
Austin called him a kind of mascot of the crew—always seeing them off and meeting them on return; flew two missions with them; formerly a school principal.
Mentioned in letters as: Ferdman
Radio man on the Lucas crew roster of July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: G. J. Fiegel
Master Sergeant engineer on Austin’s new July 1945 crew; Austin noted Fiegel had about 22 missions when he took the crew. Likely the “H. Feigel” signature on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18 (initial/spelling differ).
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Lieutenant Finnigan
Officer at Miami Beach early in Austin’s training who told him the other boys had already shipped out.
Mentioned in letters as: St. John Handwerker
Fellow B-29 airplane commander from Memphis; Austin wrote about the City of Memphis on their field, asked his mother about newspaper clippings, and arranged for Handwerker to carry film/pictures home.
A Memphis plaque dedicated in 1998 by the B-29 Club of Memphis names John J. “Jim” Handwerker as pilot of the City of Memphis and lists Austin H. Winn among thirteen other pilots associated with the ship—matching Dad’s letters about Handwerker, the City of Memphis on their field, and film Handwerker carried home.
Sources: readtheplaque.com — City of Memphis B-29 plaque; usaaf-noseart.co.uk — B-29A 42-93917, 19th BG / 93rd Sq.
Mentioned in letters as: Lt. Hicks
Bombardier from Kentucky who joined Austin’s crew in training; later flew with another crew that force-landed at Iwo Jima.
Mentioned in letters as: Mr. Albert Hutchinson
Austin asked which Seabee (CB) outfit Mr. Albert Hutchinson was in—distinct from cousin William.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: William Hutchinson
Cousin William (also Hutch / Hutcherson). Major/Col. Lowry, who had been at Dyersburg, knew him and asked after him; Lowry later said William had written and that William’s brother on Guam had visited.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: W. F. Jones
Enlisted man on Austin’s new July 1945 crew list. Matches “Warren Jones” on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Harvey Kinney
Correspondent Austin wrote through training and overseas (sometimes Harve). Letters place him on furlough, then transferred to Seattle; Austin kept exchanging letters into 1945.
Mentioned in letters as: Leon L. Lowry
Squadron/commanding officer Austin slept near and flew under (Major Lowery, later Lt. Col./Col. Lowry). Formerly at Dyersburg; knew cousin William Hutchinson and asked Austin to pass hellos.
The 93rd Bomb Squadron is a historically documented component of the 19th Bomb Group (Philippines 1941 through B-29 Guam). Austin’s May 1945 address block names “Col. Leon L. Lowry / Commanding Officer / 93rd Bomb SQDN.” Independent public bio page for this Lowry not found; do not equate to similarly named infantry veterans.
Sources (unit): 19th BG (VH) 1945 unit history — 93rd Squadron; Army Air Corps Museum — 19th BG.
Mentioned in letters as: Lucas
Airplane commander (1st Lt.) from Charlottesville, Virginia; flew with Austin on “City of Charlottesville.” Austin later became an A/C himself while Lucas continued with the old crew.
Nose-art research lists City of Charlottesville with the 19th Bomb Group. The group’s own 1945 history notes that 314th Wing B-29s were commonly named for U.S. cities tied to crew members—consistent with Lucas naming the ship for Charlottesville. Independent full name / serial / mission log for Lucas not found.
Sources: usaaf-noseart.co.uk — City Of Charlottesville, 19th BG; 19th BG (VH) 1945 unit history (city-name practice).
Mentioned in letters as: Major Maley
Assistant operations officer; when another pilot broke a leg, Maley took that crew and Austin got his overseas chance with the group.
Mentioned in letters as: Paul S. McBride
Hometown friend Austin also called Paul Sales/Sale. Austin copied his Navy address: Paul S McBride, S 2/C, Radar Operations School, Class 1-B, San Diego, Calif.
Published obituary matches the letter world: Covington native, Byars Hall High School 1943, and Navy radar training as Austin copied—“Paul S McBride, S 2/C, Radar Operations School… San Diego.” Austin also wrote that Paul was “doing fine in the Navy” and expected to go aboard ship.
Source: Memorial Funeral Homes obituary (Paul S. McBride, 1924–2014).
Mentioned in letters as: McKnight
Radio operator from Tennessee whom Austin met; kin to families around Nankipoo.
Mentioned in letters as: Meszaros
Special Instrument Operator on the Lucas crew; Austin also called him George / George Mezzaro and mentioned his pet turtles.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Mieler
CFC gunner on the Lucas crew roster of July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Morey
Primary training classmate Austin flew with under instructor Mr. Cattron (described as Scotch/Irish).
Mentioned in letters as: Munoz
Primary training classmate in the same student flight as Morey and Weinrich.
Mentioned in letters as: Parry
Navigator on the Lucas crew roster of July 1945.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: George Phillips
Engineer on Austin’s crew; later moved to Ground Training with Cook and was promoted to 1st Lt., ending his combat missions. Also on the Great Bend crew photo.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Philly
Crewmate whose hair George (SIO) was cutting in an April 1945 letter; full name not given.
Mentioned in letters as: Col. Roberts
Commanding officer promoted from Lt. Col. to full Colonel; Austin wrote he had been with the 19th Bomb Group in the Philippines when Japan invaded.
Austin wrote (Oct 1944) that their CO Lt. Col. Roberts had just been promoted to full Colonel and “was one of the boys on the Phillipian when the Japs invaded it… in the 19th Bomb Group then.” Official 19th BG (VH) unit history and Army Air Forces museum commander lists confirm Col. John A. Roberts Jr. commanded the reconstituted B-29 group through the Guam campaign—matching rank, timing, and Philippines/19th BG background in the letters.
Sources: 19th BG (VH) 1945 unit history transcript; Army Air Corps Museum — 19th Bombardment Group commanders.
Mentioned in letters as: C. A. Rowe
Enlisted man on Austin’s new July 1945 crew list. May correspond to one of the harder-to-read standing signatures (Ricker / Cotter / Frost) on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18; handwriting match is uncertain.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Waits Sampson
Hometown friend Austin wrote throughout the war (often with Jack). Austin got his address early, tracked long silences, and noted Waits had “about finished his schooling” (July 1943). Treated as a fellow serviceman to follow, but branch and unit are never stated clearly.
Not independently verified beyond the letters. Branch/unit not clear.
Mentioned in letters as: Jack Sides, Jack, Jack S., Jock, Jace
Hometown friend from Cherry who grew up with Dad. His mother is Miss Josie Belle; sister Estelle Sides appears in the letters; later he is going with Evelyn McBride (Uncle Melvin’s daughter). Early 1943 Austin keeps asking for Jack’s address and hears he is “getting it pretty tough” in training. In June 1943 Jack writes that he is helping make the motion picture Guadalcanal Diary (letter censored). In September 1943 they meet in Los Angeles—Jack tells Austin “all about the Marines,” stays overnight, and rides back to the airfield for Sunday parade. By mid-1944 Austin believes Jack is in the Marshalls / Saipan fight. In March 1945, on the same Marianas island where Austin’s B-29 group is based, Jack turns up as a casualty in the base hospital about twenty-five miles away. Austin hitchhikes repeatedly to visit him, eats supper with him once he is off the serious list, and misses seeing him off when he is evacuated by air toward Hawaii or the States. By April–May Jack is back in the States, later reported at Millington and walking around Ripley; in July he is home on rest leave in Marine uniform (and a swimming suit), writing Austin from home. He survives the war.
Branch is clear from Dad’s own words: Marine Corps (Los Angeles visit, later “Marine uniforms”). Family confirmation matches the letters. Pacific timeline in the letters (training → Guadalcanal Diary work → Central Pacific islands → Marianas hospital casualty → air evacuation → Millington / home leave) is consistent with a Marine who fought in the Central Pacific and was wounded or otherwise hospitalized before war’s end—but the letters never name his regiment, division, or serial number.
ABMC WWII Memorial Registry search (last name Sides, U.S. Marine Corps) returns plaques for Glenn Sides, Harold Sides, and Perrilon Sides—not Jack. A Tennessee filter for Sides does not surface him either. Public Army Air Forces records for other men named Jack Sides (e.g. fighter-group / ACG pilots tied to Texas or Alabama) do not match the Cherry, Tennessee hometown or Marine branch and were set aside. No Lauderdale County Find a Grave / newspaper match with unit or Purple Heart detail was verified on open sources at the time of this note.
Story above is drawn from Dad’s letters (primary source) plus family knowledge that he was a Marine who grew up with Dad. No independent service plaque or muster roll found yet; unit and exact wound remain unknown. Wrong-name airmen avoided.
Mentioned in letters as: K. G. Smith
Co-pilot on Austin’s new July 1945 crew; Austin noted Smith had fewer missions than most of the enlisted men. Likely “Kent Smith C.P.” (co-pilot) on the City of Annapolis crew photograph in manuscript chapter 18.
Not independently verified beyond the letters.
Mentioned in letters as: Sgt. Smith
At Marfa, Austin rode under the hood in Sgt. Smith’s cockpit as observer during instrument work.
Mentioned in letters as: Turner
Cadet who shared a Los Angeles pass/suite with Austin. Distinct in the notes from Gene, Helen, John, and Grace Turner.
Mentioned in letters as: Wagaman
Training mate Austin planned to go into town with for a show.
Mentioned in letters as: Weinrich
Primary training classmate in Austin’s student flight under Mr. Cattron.
Mentioned in letters as: A. V. Winn
Fellow cadet/airman Austin first met as A.V. Winn from Washington state (also Alden / Alvin in the letters). They trained in the same world, kept writing, and later met on Guam—A.V. in B-24s with missions in, then on Okinawa. Austin asked how John and A.V. looked after returning to the States.
Matches Dad’s letters: Washington-state cadet (Walla Walla in letters), B-24s, Guam meeting, then Okinawa. Do not use Andrew O. Winn (different honoree).
ABMC WWII Registry plaque (honoree_id=2199814)Letters say Walla Walla; the plaque lists Wallula, Washington (nearby). ABMC plaque page may be WAF-blocked in some fetches; local plaque text preserved from prior capture.
Mentioned in letters as: Robert Winn
Los Angeles classmate and later roommate (same class/section); wife joined him and he moved to town. Austin later noted Robert was in another bomb group on the same Pacific field and flew his first mission.
Mentioned in letters as: Winzer
Pilot Austin flew with at Roswell; they had more time than others in the group. Later sent to Pratt, Kansas.
Mentioned in letters as: Warren D. Withee
Oshkosh roommate from early cadet days through Roswell (Withee / Wither / Withie). Austin saw him off by train, later heard he became a co-pilot for a hometown friend, and still wrote him from Guam.
Not independently verified beyond the letters. Registry search attempted.
Mentioned in letters as: Woolson
Training pilot Austin still had to ride for as co-pilot because Woolson was behind on flying time.
Mentioned in letters as: John D. Wynne
Colonel Wynne, director of training; Austin told his family the class book would show the officers’ pictures.
The letters collection includes an official training memo block: “JOHN D. WYNNE, Lt. Col., Air Corps, Director of Training.” A later Army, Navy, Air Force Journal note (1960) reports Col. John D. Wynne assigned as Director of Training, Operations Division, Twelfth Air Force—consistent with a career training officer of the same name. Full wartime station bio beyond the memo/letters not independently reconstructed here.
Registry search attempted; no ABMC plaque located.
Hap Arnold, MacArthur, and similar public commanders appear in the letters only in passing and are omitted here in favor of men Austin trained, flew, or corresponded with as fellow servicemen. Research prefers ABMC WWII Registry plaques and similar verified sources when found; otherwise entries stay letter-only.