Comments:
Ralph L Poffinberger, 87, Passed away on Sept. 20, 2008, at Meadowview Nursing Home in Louisville, Ky. Ralph was born May 13, 1921, in Marshall, Mo. He served his country in the U.S. Army Air Forces 450th Bomb Group stationed in Italy during World War II. His B-24 bomber was shot down during a raid on the Ploesti oil refinery and he was a prisoner of war before being liberated by Allied Forces. He received the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters for this service. Ralph met Docia T. Fitzsimmons in Marshall and they married in 1947. Ralph and Docia moved with their two daughters to Aurora, Colorado in 1963. Shortly after retirement in 1983 from his life’s vocation as a barber, they moved to Loveland, and Ralph was active in the Elks Club and a Life member of the VFW Loveland Post 41. He was preceded in death by his wife, Docia. He is survived by his daughter Edith Savage and husband Michael of Windsor, Colorado, daughter Diane Hancock and husband Norb of Louisville, Ky.; his grandson. Sean and wife Beth; and two greatgrandchildren, Cohn and Ardyn. A memorial service with full Military Honors will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery 3pm Thursday Oct 2, with a reception following at the Loveland Elks Club at 4:30. Ralph was the last man standing from the John F Barrett crew, 722Squadron

Comments:
I am looking for any pics or descriptions of the nose art of "Marty, the Rubble Maker" My grandfather was Tsgt Gilbert W. Hatfield, flight engineer on this plane that was lost on May 12, 1944. This was the J. C. Word crew, 722nd squadron. I am building a new race bike for the Bonneville Salt Flats and I would like to dedicate it to my grandfater and crew of "Marty, the Rubble maker". My grandfather was stationed in Wendover Air Base (where the Salt Flats are located) when he met my grandmother. Any help would be appreciated.

Comments:
My Grandfather served as tailgunner On the " Holy Joe" Recieved many awards and flew 30 missions.

Comments:
I am the widow of Norman C. White. My son Douglas also signed this log book. Please contact me via my grandson's email for further corespondance. Thank you.

Comments:
Son of Norm White.

Comments:
Chad I sent you a Pic of a B-24 that crash landed w/ the name "Holy Joe" it may of been your paps hope it is helpful in your search

Comments:
Hello: "Holy Joe" from a neighbor. I flew as the co-pilot on the Captain John Paul Jones, Jr. crew. After he was wounded, the crew was taken over by First Lieutenant Roger A. Kent. We were stationed in Manduria, Italy with the 450th BG, 723rd SQ. The Group was known as the “Cottontails.” When we were in Italy, we suffered two crashes. One happened at Capodichino, Italy (8-44) and the other on the Island of Vis, off the Dalmatian Coast (10-44). There is NO official record of the two mishaps. I would dearly love to find out the disposition of the two incidents. I am hoping that some member of the maintenance or a ground crew chief of the 723rd or the other squadrons kept a log of the B-24s in their charge. Perhaps they noticed that the roster was missing a couple of planes after mission return. I know it's a long shot, but there is always that possibility. I don't know the S/Ns of either plane, but the name of the Vis B-24 was “No, No Nanette.” I have pictures of her sitting on her belly. Any personal information of the plane and/or crew would be genuinely welcomed. Respectfully, Andy J. Benedict. ajbdad1@wmconnect.com