CAUGHT IN
THE DRAFT - Picture
taken at Dalhart, Texas prior to October 1943.
(Kneeling l to r): William Green (P), Jack
Jensen (CP), Jack Hamilton (BOM), John Joyce (NAV).
(Standing l to r): Roman Beran (TTE), Richard
Anderegg (BTG), Robert Valentik (ROG), Sanford
Tisdale (RWG), Unknown, Leroy Leist (TG).
(picture courtesy 100th BG assoc.)
Roman was with the
100th Bomb Group, operating out of Thorpe
Abbotts. He arrived here with is crew in October
1943. They were assigned to the 418th Squadron.
On February 4, 1944 1st Lt
Green and his crew took off for their 15th
mission. Target was Frankfurt, Germany. The crew
consisted of:
1Lt William E. Green, pilot
2Lt Jack P. Jensen, co-pilot
2Lt John J. Joyce, Navigator
2Lt John S. Hamilton, Bombardier
S/Sgt Robert W. Valentik, Radio Operator Gunner
S/Sgt Roman E. Beran, Top Turet Gunner Engineer
S/Sgt Richard K. Anderegg, Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt Sanford Tisdale, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Harry J. Waskewicz, Waist Gunner
S/Sgt Leroy E. Leist, tail Gunner
S/Sgt Tom Sasser was the
original ROG on this crew but was replaced on
the Feb 4, 1944 mission by S/Sgt Robert Valentik.
Their plane was hit by flak
and damaged on the flight. Later, the formation
was attacked by German Me109's and Fw190's.The
Missing Aircrew Report mentions: "This A/C, in
3rd element of the high squadron, pulled out of
formation at 13.52 hours and headed for the
undercast. It was smoking but appeared under
control. No chutes were seen."
22 year old Lt. William
Green tried to dive through the undercast for
cover. However, Erich Scheyda of JG 26 followed
the plane down and gave it the final blow. The
B-17 went down in the waters of the Grevelingen,
between the islands of Goeree-Overvlakee and
Schouwen in the South West of Netherlands
The bodies of Harry
Waskewicz, John Hamilton and Richard Anderegg
were recovered near Ouddorp, Holland on 6
February 1944. They were buried on 7 February
1944 in Ouddorp Communal Cemetery.
The body of John Joyce was recovered near
Ellemeet, Holland on 5 April 1944 and was buried
on 18 April 1944 in Haamstede Cemetery, near
Ellemeet.
Standing:
Jack Jensen, Jack Hamilton, John Joyce, Bill
Green
Kneeling: Sanford Tisdale, Richard Anderegg,
Roman Beran, Tom Sasser, Harry
Waskewicz, and Leroy Leist (picture courtesy of
100th BG assoc.)
The final word Roman's family had was that he
was missing in action. The military sent a
representative to Barton County in 1944 and he
had a private ceremony of sorts with the family
of Roman and of Joseph Prosser, a cousin of
Roman's who had been taken prisoner of war. The
two families were both presented with medals in
a small ceremony as neither was anticipated to
return home. Joseph was later liberated from Stalag
Luft IV Prisoner Camp.
S/Sgt Roman B. Beran is
mentioned on the Margraten Wall of the Missing.
