Julian W. Messerly (1924-1944)

As Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Julian flew in the Red Growler, a B-24H/J Liberator. His position was gunner. His station was Lavenham Base in Suffolk, England, an area that has now reverted to farm land.

As part of the preparations for the D-Day landing, the Red Growler went on a mission to bomb the areas around the landing beaches on May 30, 1944. The Red Growler never returned and none of the remains of the crew were found.


 * Unit: 3rd Air Division 487th, Bomber Group, Heavy, 838th Bomber Squadron, serving under 2nd Lt Walter W. McCarty in the Red Growler.
 * Crewmates:F/O Raymond G. Spoerl (navigator), 2nd Lt Walter W. McCarty (pilot), 2nd Lt Willard J. George (bombardier), F/O Richard S. Atkins (co-pilot), Sgt Robert L. Williams (gunner), S/Sgt Keith E. Coles (gunner), Sgt Fred C. Sweeney (radio operator), Sgt Thomas W Craig (flight engineer)
 * Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart.
 * Memorial: His name appears on the Wall of the Missing atCambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Cambridge, England.
 * Height 70 inches weight 164lbs in 1943 when he was enlisted at Camp Dodge Herold on 17 Feb 1943. His residence at the time of enlistment was Webster, Iowa..
 * Julian's training was in Herington, Kansas.