Robert F Worley, 314th FS

[Frank Olynyk]

Robert F Worley was KIA in Vietnam in 1968 as a MGen. But in World War 2 he was a Major, and CO of the 314th Fighter Squadron, 324th FG. At some time in North Africa he was shot down and evaded. I have not been able to find the date, and a sortie report for this. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Or at least supply the date?

Enjoy!

Frank.

[KM1957]

Can not vouch for accuracy, but an internet site under 324th Fighter Group Honor Roll lists Worley as MIA on March 3, 1943 while attached to the 57th FG. Supposedly flying White Y-10 on that date.

Kent

[GMichalski]

hi,
i have 13 march 43,

The 314th pilots flying were Maj. Bob Worley, Squadron Commander, 324FG on attachment for combat training with 57FG, Bob Worley was shot down and bellied in but he made it back. Military career. Attained rank of Major General. Killed in action in Vietnam 23 July 1968

regards

[kaki3152]

IN "Fighters over Tunisia", it has four casualties by the 57th FG, with one pilot returning.


In the Osprey book on the 57th FG (p 39)
"Maj. Worley of the 314th shot down but is safe."

[KM1957]

Sorry, I left a digit out on the earlier message. That website does show March 13 as the date, not March 3.

Kent

[Nick Hector]

To the best of my knowledge, he was downed by II/JG 77, but I don't know which particular pilot.

Nick

[Mark R.]

I see that II/JG 77 claimed five P-40 kills for five USAAF losses near Gabes between 1440 and 1500 hours on 13 March 1943. Normally they don't match up that nicely. The 57th FG lost three aircraft and 314th FS lost two aircraft, with Captain John D. Simpson (POW) being the other 314th pilot shot down along with Worley. The 57th FG losses included two 64th FS pilots (Douglas and Jenks) and one 66th FS loss (Lt Knight). Knight also made it back to friendly lines.

[Frank Olynyk]

Mark,
Maj. Archie Joyce Knight was CO of the 57th FG; he evaded. 2nd Lt William Edward Jenks was KIA and 2nd Lt Robert K Douglas was POW; both are from the 64th FS. I have a copy of the Sortie Report for the 64th FS for this mission, which indicates that they were shot down.

Capt. John D Simpson, Jr of the 314th FS was POW; Maj Robert L Worley evaded. What I don't have is the Sortie Report for the 314th FS so I can verify the cause of their loss. This was apparently the first independent operation by the 314th FS. Up to this point in time they had been flying as part of the 64th FS. So this is probably their very first Sortie Report, and it is not with the material I have from NARA II and USAFHRA. Have you seen a copy anywhere?

Enjoy!

Frank.

[Mark R.]

Frank,

I have see a collection of 324th FG sortie reports spanning the period Mar 43 to June 1943 (Reel B-2074 starting frame 1532) but many of the microfilm frames are completely unreadable. Unfortunately the earliest one that I printed off dates from 24 March 43. I was surprised to see that the Group conducted numerous dive-bombing missions against Italian and German warships in April!

[Mark R.]

Frank,

I did find something in the 57th FG sortie reports by 1st Lt William S. Beck of the 64th FS that mission as "I and nine other Warhawks of the 64th FS and two Warhawks of the 314th FS took off with twelve Warhawks of the 65th FS and twelve Warhawks of the 66th FS on a fighter sweep. Went out on a 310 degree bearing to beyond Gabes." Doesn't seem to fit the bill of the 314th flying one on their own. I also found a report by Major Knight describing his experiences on that date. Very interesting. He had to wait until darkness to evade because he came down between the German and British lines. The former were shooting at his downed plane and the latter were shooting at any Germans who tried to approach Knight's position.