I have been working on the KIAs for the NWWIIGPA. I am currently working on F/O Norman T. Lund who was a glider pilot in the 78th TCS, 435th TCG. He was killed at some point during the Elmira Mission, Serial 33. According to the files he was listed in GO # 33 July 3rd as missing in action. I have not found any other mention of him in the 78th for the D-day / Elmira narrative. The pages that probably mention him are unreadable. I would like to know if anyone has any details regarding his flight and KIA status. 1. Chalk number? 2. Was he pilot or co pilot and his fellow pilot's name? Were they both killed? 3. When was it determined that he was KIA? 4. How was he killed? Glider Crash due to flak or small arms fire? Thank you for any information you may have I really appreciate it. Patricia
Hi Patricia, I done a quick Google here at work just now and can find nothing beyond what you have already. I'll check my glider books tonight. Regards, Pat
Hi Patricia, If the listing on page 173 of Philippe Esvelin's 'Forgotten Wings' is correct, his name is missing from gliders #1-9 and #47-50 from a total of 12 Wacos and 38 Horsas (50 total). 28 Horsas and 7 Wacos from Serial 33 are recorded as 'Destroyed'. I'll keep digging. Regards, Pat
Some more info... He appears to have been from somewhere in Sierra County, Montana and his service number is T-001183 Regards, Pat
More... Sierra County seems to an error in the casualty list. I found two photos of Norman and some family members on page 103 in a book titled 'Sheridan County (Images of America)' on Amazon.com. One photo shows a very young Norman taken in 1931 and the second shows him on leave in uniform dated sometime around 1942/43. The family home is or was in Plentywood, Sheridan County, Montana. Regards, Pat
Pat, Yes his family home was Plentywood, Montana We know when he graduated from glider school and the basic information. But, yeah, he has been a hard one to find information on. I haven't even been able to find his purple heart in the Maxwell file that I have listing the awards. but I do have a photo of the PH from a relative but it doesn't really tell anything regarding who he was with or the glider number. I have lots of photos of him with men from the 78th. The only MACRs I have are for Varsity. There has got to be a MACR for his glider if he was MIA still in July. Thanks so much for checking on this. As a coincident his Great Nephew just became a member of the Association. I am checking with him to see if he might have any further information. If he only has what his Aunt has then there is not information regarding his gliders. Thanks again P--
Don't forget you can always request his IDPF. If it is requested by a family member they will get the full file. if someone else requests it some private information will be left out. IDPF's may have information regarding the circumstances of his death, but you'll never know until you receive it.
Hi Patricia and Neil, I am just back from a vacation to DC, Gettysburg, and Antietam. There are some MACR's on fold3 for Normandy gliders. I have the following list of Waco ones I found: 42-56506 42-79200 43-39990 43-40113 43-40145 43-40197 43-40199 43-41047 43-41826 And the following Horsa's: HG 915 HS 129 LG 834 LJ 161 ... but I have no found anything regarding Norman Lund. John
Thanks John for checking. I know that there are some MACRs for gliders but I only have them for Varsity. Appreciate your looking at this. P-- [hr] Yeah, I know but it takes up to a year. I guess I should get started or just go with what I have. Thanks Patricia [hr] Thanks Neil, I do have that quote so maybe I should just leave it at that. Patricia
Hi Neil, I presume that MACRs were only opened if glider crews failed to return to the UK after a specified time and had not been reported KIA or injured/wounded in the meantime. Regards, Pat
Hello Chalk #1 to #8 and #47 to #50 were from the 77th TCS. I think that 78th TCS was Chalk #9 to #20 and that they were flying Horsas