SSGT Randall C Viosca

Engineer T/Sgt. Randall C. Viosca KIA
Hometown: Louisiana
Squadron: 579th BS 392nd Bomb Group
Service# 18150956
Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Pilot 2nd/Lt. Bernard Fryman KIA

Target: Berlin Germany
Date Lost: 29-Apr-44
Serial Number: #41-29427
Aircraft Model B-24
Aircraft Letter: "U"
Aircraft Name: "READY WILLING AND ABLE", 13th Mission
Location: over Wendling air base
Cause: unknown 10KIA

The Group losses on this raid would be the second heaviest ever encountered in its combat history in terms of men killed and planes lost-next only to those suffered at Friedrichshafen on 18 March 1944.

On this mission, (18) aircrews were briefed between 0400-0430 hours with the 577th and Lieutenant Rapenport as Bombardier leading. Crews began take-offs at 0725 on what was to be a mission encounter of grave misfortunes due to heavy enemy fighter opposition and flak. Before the target, an estimated 50 single engine fighters hit the group, consisting of FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft, attacking in double line-abreast and making a level pass through the Group's formation.

This aircrew was returning from a mission to Berlin this day.

While in a landing pattern circuit over Wendling air base, the plane exploded. This ship had suffered extensive battle damage on this raid. All ten (10) crew members perished in this accident which occurred at 1522 hours. The aircraft was a B24H Model # 41-29427, nicknamed "READY WILLING AND ABLE", Call Letter "U", which was on it's 13th combat mission this day.

Two crewmen are buried in the CAMBRIDGE, England Cemetery: Lt. Robert L. Young, Jr. in Grave F-7-38 and Sgt. Randall C. Viosca in Grave C-5-2. Lt. Young's home state was Pennsylvania and his awards were an Air Medal and the Purple Heart. Sgt. Viosca's home state was Louisiana and his citations also were an Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Crew of "READY WILLING AND ABLE"
2nd/Lt. Bernard Fryman Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Kenneth A. Barber Co Pilot KIA
2nd/Lt. Robert L. Young Navigator KIA
2nd/Lt. Norman R. Christian Bombardier KIA
T/Sgt. Randall C. Viosca Engineer KIA
S/Sgt. Joseph W. Myers Radio Op. KIA
S/Sgt. William A. Chaplinsky Gunner KIA
S/Sgt. Christopher J. Reilly Gunner KIA
Sgt. William J. Childress Gunner KIA
Sgt. Rudolph H. Grossi Gunner KIA

Source:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56295220/randall_clement_viosca