Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo pictured in the lower right of the crew picture taken in November 1943.

Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo
Original Member of the Coleman Crew

Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo was an original member of the Coleman crew when it was assembled in November 1943. We know Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo remained with the Coleman crew when they departed Hamilton Field, CA to their assignment with the 307th Bomb Group at Carney Field Guadalcanal as replacement crews to join the 307th Bomb Group due to the following document.

29 January 1944 Document

Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo left the crew sometime between the time the crew arrived with the 307th Bomb Group in February 1944 and the loss of the crew in June 1944. We do not know the exact date that he left the crew or the reason he left the crew. However, the Santarcangelo family has shared information that he may of had a disagreement with Lt. Coleman and asked to leave the crew. The family thought his reassignment was the day before the Coleman crew was shot down but I have located the 372nd BS crew load lists for the month of June 1944. Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo is not listed as a member of the Coleman crew for any of the June 1944 missions therefore, he left the crew prior to June 1944.

June 1944 Crew Load Lists

Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo was reassigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron within the 5th Bomb Group. He was assigned to this new squadron, group and crew between March-May 1944. The following document lists Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo as a member of the 23rd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group. If we can locate additional load lists for the spring months of 1944 it will show when he left the Coleman crew and was transferred to the 5th Bomb Group. He was one of three original members that left the Coleman crew between the time the crew arrived in the Pacific and when it was lost. Although Sgt. Fred R. Santarcangelo survived the war, he passed away at 65 years old. His family has provided the following pictures and is seeking additional information to share to help us figure out the story of the various crew members.

5th Bomb Group Good Conduct Medal, 5 February 1945

Pictures Shared by the Santarcangelo Family

				colemancrewback
15april45-5thbg-medical	16may45-specialorders001	aerial-gunner-diploma		santarcangelo7
santarcangelo6	santarcangelo1	santarcangelo2	santarcangelo3	santarcangelo4
santarcangelo5

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