Name: Zeno H Rose Jr.
First Name(s): Zeno H
Last Name: Rose Jr.
Place of birth: North Carolina, Wake Cnty, Raleigh
Rank: 1 Lt Navigator
ASN: O-807314
Company: 75th T Car Sqdrn
Unit: 435th Troop Carrier Grp 9th USAAF
Reported as: MIA ► RTD
Date of incident: 26-12-1944
Place of incident: Remoifosse area
His story: On December 26, 1944, Dahl crew took off with Douglas SKYTRAIN C-47B-5-DK, #43-48718 from the airstrip at Welford Park, England.
Approximately 5 minutes out of the Drop Zone (DZ) the airplane of Pilot and Squadron Leader Capt Paul W Dahl was hit by machine-gun fire. More than 1 minute later the plane was hit by FLAK. Together with Capt Dahl, Co-Pilot 2 Lt William L Murtaugh and Navigator 1 Lt Zeno H Rose were wounded. On the Co-Pilot’s side the instruments were completely shot out and for 40% at the side of the Pilot. At this time the airplane apparently had suffered no serious damage and continued on to Bastogne and dropped their supplies.
Immediately after dropping supplies, Capt Dahl pulled out of formation. Unfortunately after 5 to 6 Miles the plane was again hit by FLAK, this time in the nose. In the pilot’s compartment the plane caught immediately fire. All crewmembers managed to bail out and were fired upon by snipers during their descent. After landed in no-man’s land, together with Capt Dahl, Lt Murtaugh and Lt Rose, Dropmaster Sgt John J Walsh was picked up by men of 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Infantry Division and were brought somewhere near Chaumont, Belgium, where they were given first-aid.
Radio Operator S/Sgt David Lifschutz was hit by machine-gun fire as he hit the ground and was taken POW.
The parachute of Crew Chief T/Sgt George T Gazarian failed to open, probably also hit by machine-gun fire and later reported as KIA.
MACR: 11322
Operation: REPULSE
Destination: Bastogne, Belgium
Mission: Parachute Re-Supply
Unit history of 435th Troop Carrier Group
Extra Link(s)
AAD
HONOR field
HONOR state
ENLISTMENT
BURIAL
