52nd FG loss 22nd February, 1945

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

Seeking details of a 52nd FG pilot, killed on the 22nd February, 1945.

His name is usually given as COOPER, Priestley, but the only closest named in the NARA enlistments is COOPER, Priosley P. Jr - 18223771, Harris, Texas.6-11-42.
I can only assume that NARA has spelled the christian name incorrectly.
Also via Fold3 the Texas Honor List, Harris County, page 42 has his name as Cooper, Priesley P. Jr 2Lt. - O-719266.
ABMC has this -
https://abmc.gov/node/544774#.WqBsjC6nz80

So, Fold3 has no MACR for his loss but he is named in at least two other macr's for that day.
He is also named in "Spitfires & Yellow Tailed Mustangs'.
But no mention of the a/c serial number..
Clarity in regard to his full name, rank and service number is required.
I believe it to have correctly been -
2Lt. Cooper, Priestley P. Jr - O-719266

Also if possible the a/c serial number would be great.

Three other pilots were downed on this day, one became pow,another was interned in Switzerland and the third was also killed., names, a/c serial numbers and macr's are known and available in Fold3. But it would seem zero for Cooper.

Many thanks
Alex

[RSwank]

Alex,

Did you see these? It appears his name was 2nd Lt Priesley Paul Cooper, Jr. O-719266.

http://www.wueschner.org/academic/priesley_p_cooper.htm


https://airforce.togetherweserved.co...rson&ID=206098


http://www.ramstein.af.mil/News/Feat...len-us-airman/

UPDATE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/...esley-p-cooper

[Alex Smart]

Hello Rolland,
Many thanks for the responce.
The three links I had not seen, thank you for finding them and shareing them.
I do not fully understand why there seems to be no MACR for him, as they do for the other three for that day ?
Thanks again
Alex

[Laurent Rizzotti]

Two 1945 newspapers confirming the name as Priesley Paul Cooper, Jr, including one supposedly written at his father's request to announce his death, so we can presume the name is correct:

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/44866823/

https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/44915961/

As for having no MACR, there is a grey zone about USAAF losses during WWII. There are two sets of available reports:
_ MACR were written only when at least one crew was posted missing (and if the loss was overseas).
_ accident reports covered all crashes occuring in friendly area and not related to eney activity: training crashes in USA are for example included (including some cases of missing crew) but also many crashes from aircraft operating from bases in Europe and crashing before reaching the enemy area or on return of a mission, but without enemy action (like a crash due to fog or to a landing mishap). But for aircraft involved in operations there is no absolute rule: one may have an accident report and one not, even if loss circumstances are the same.

But there is one case that will not be covered by the above reports: US aircraft lost in operations and crashing in friendly area. These will usually be only covered in the unit war diary, and if a crew was killed, in his individual IPDF file.

So in your case, this last file should exist for Priesley Paul Cooper and will help to know how and where he died.

Edited: if you don't have it, the book "Spitfires and Yellow Tail Mustangs" (history of 52nd FG) has nothing about Cooper than it being killed by Flak, with no area or aircraft given and a wrong first name.

[Rottler]

Hello Alex,

in the MACR documents are listed the crash-time, the crash-place and the German Abschußnummer/casualty No.:
22 February 1945 1400 Hohenstein-Dietingen Landkreis/County Rottweil J 3058.

Regards
Leo

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hello Rolland,
Many thanks for the responce.
The three links I had not seen, thank you for finding them and shareing them.
I do not fully understand why there seems to be no MACR for him, as they do for the other three for that day ?
Thanks again
Alex

Good evening Alex 1

The 52nd Fighter Wing is still operational in Spangdahlem AFB, Germany. This is very close to my hometown and I know, that they have a wing historian there. If you want, I contact him and ask him to solve your particular question for this a/c's AAF s/n.

Horst Weber

[Alex Smart]

Hello Horst,

That would be fabulous.
Many thanks for your kind offer.

Alex

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hello Horst,

That would be fabulous.
Many thanks for your kind offer.

Alex

Alex, you have PM.

Horst Weber

[Alex Smart]

Hello Horst,
No PM received so far.
I tried to send you a PM but it seems your PM box is full so would not accept my PM to you.
Alex

[Horst Weber]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hello Horst,
No PM received so far.
I tried to send you a PM but it seems your PM box is full so would not accept my PM to you.
Alex

A new PM is on the way.

Horst Weber