Lt. D.B. Bleser

[Bill Walker]

According to my notes, this US Lieutenant was killed in the crash of an RCAF Wellington on 15 February 1944. Can anybody confirm this from US records, or provide any extra info on Lt. Bleser?

[Frank Olynyk]

I cannot find him in the index to Chorley's Bomber Command losses (vol 9). Nor can I find him in the MACR index on Footnote.com. Given that he was in a Wellington, this may refer to 205 Group night or minelaying operations in the Mediterranian, or possibly Coastal Command. Those two loss volumes have not yet been published.

Frank.

[Bill Walker]

Sorry Frank, I should have mentioned that it was a 407 Squadron Wellington, Coastal Command. I have 4 crew members from the Commonwealth War Grave Comission, and an unconfirmed report that the 5th crew member was Lt. Bleser. I'm hoping to find US information on the fate of Bleser.

My Canadian and UK sources don't have much info on US airmen. I just have heard from another forum that Bleser's family may be from Wisconsin, and that there is a legion branch named after a Lt. Bleser somewhere in Wisconsin.

[Frank Olynyk]

Bill,
Here is a link to the Drews-Bleser AmLegion Post.
http://www.wilegion.org/post_locator...ay.aspx?rid=65

Addresses and phone numbers, but no detail on who the post was named for.

Frank.

[paulmcmillan]

http://www.2manitowoc.com/44Bi.html

Definately died in Ireland....

[B-39-2]-Daniel B. Bleser/Wisconsin/1 Lieut 8 Air Force/World War II/
March 17, 1915 - Feb. 15, 1944 [d. Ireland, killed in service/bur. on
Daniel C. Bleser lot]

[Henk Welting]

Must have been Wellington HF142; crashed Limavady. Sgt J. MOAKES 1434192 died 14th Feb. P/O R.H. MATTHEWS RCAF J/90023, Sgt H.R. TAYLOR 1432831 and Sgt H. WESTELL 1433947 died of injuries 15th Feb.
"They Shall Grow Not Old" (Allison) mentions in biography Matthews that five airmen died in this accident.
Regards,
Henk.

[Bill Walker]

Thanks to everyone that replied.

[Bill Walker]

Just to update everyone, I received this message today from a relative of Lt. Daniel Bleser:

Daniel Bernard Bleser II was born in Manitowoc WI 17 March 1915 to Daniel Clement Bleser (1884-1939; he had Bleser Brewery in Manitowoc 1937-1942) and Myrtle Josephine Smalley. He in turn was born to Daniel Bernard Bleser (1854-1921; he was a partner in Kunz & Bleser Brewery in Manitowoc 1885-1913). This Daniel Bernard apparently was unmarried. The first Daniel B. was my grandfather's brother.

[paulmcmillan]

World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel from:
Wisconsin

Manitowoc County

Blesser Daniel B O-885990 1 LT DNB (Died Non Battle)