A Tribute to My Father
Oscar Nixon Sheppard, Jr. (1915 - 1984)
-Tech Sgt., 320th Bomb Group, 444th Bomb Squadron-

I remember as a kid going down to the basement with my older brother and rifling through my Dad's "war chest". We would find insignia, medals, letters and photos (some of which are on this site). Sometimes Dad would tell us stories of his experiences in WWII. I remember him telling me about the trip to North Africa aboard a B-26, landing in Natal, Brazil and then traveling on to Ascension island. Next they landed in Africa and flew over the Atlas mountains to Algeria. Finally, they wound up in some mudhole called Tafaraoui. There was talk of Sardinia and leave on the Isle of Capri. Finally Dad went to OCS in France, leaving the Army Air Force, and came home a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. The war was still raging in the Pacific, and Dad wondered if he would see action there, when Japan surrendered. Before making Captain in the Reserves, he left the service to marry mom (Rachel).
My father had joined the National Guard with his brother Dudley when the war began, and was part of the 13th Coast Artillery Corps at Pensacola, Fl. They were later stationed at Key West, FL and Ft. Crockett (Galvenston, TX). He received a short discharge from the National Guard in order to re-enlist in the Army Air Force and began training with the 359th School Squadron at Jefferson Barracks (St. Louis, MO). Next it was on to the 36th School Squadron at Chanute Field (Rantoul, IL) and HQ of the 21st Bomb Group at the Jackson Army Air Base at Jackson, MS. He was then stationed at Columbia Army Air Base (Columbia, SC), Tyndall Field at Panama City, FL, and Key Field at Meridian, MS. He then transferred from the 21st BG HQ and HQ squadron to the 315th Bomb Squadron. On 6-27-42 he was transferred to the 320th Bomb Group and on 7-11-42 became part of that Group's 444th Squadron at MacDill Field (Tampa, FL). Up to this time Dad was a private. When the 21st BG (along with 17th and 355th BGs) became the 320th Bomb Group based at MacDill, Dad was promoted to corporal(7-15-42). After further training at MacDill, Dad was promoted to Sergeant(8-1-42), and Staff Sergeant(9-1-42). He was then stationed at Drane Field (Lakeland, FL), Henderson Field, back to Drane, and finally to Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN). While at Baer, Dad was promoted to Tech Sergeant. Finally, Dad left from Morrison Field (West Palm Beach, FL) on 12-2-42 for Algeria via Puerto Rico, Georgetown, British Guinea, Brazil, Ascension Island, Liberia, Gambia and Morrocco. An excellent summary of the history of the 320th bases can be found at http://320thbg.org/history_mcdill.html .
This website is still being constructed. I look forward to hearing from visitors to this site. Please email me below. - Joseph B. Sheppard

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The War Diaries of Oscar Nixon Sheppard, Jr.
Click here to read about my father's training and experience prior to going overseas (COMPLETE)
Click here to read about my father's flight from Morrison Field, FL to Oran, Algeria (COMPLETE)
Click here to read about my father in North Africa and Sardinia during 1943 (COMPLETE)
Click here to read about my father in Sardinia, Corsica and France during 1944 (COMPLETE)
Click here to read about my father in France during 1945 until leaving USAAF for the Infantry (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Aircraft for which T/Sgt. O.N. Sheppard was Crew Chief:

Special Note on Aircraft Names: Every plane for which my father served as crew chief he called "Jeannie" or "Jeanie" in his war diaries, except the 319th's "Boomerang". This made for much confusion in my research on the aircraft initially. In fact, only the 4th aircraft listed below (Serial No. 41-34890, Battle No. 84) can be proved to have been known as "Jeanie" from nose art (later changed to "Barbara(Sis)"). I would still be in the dark on this subject in not for Mr. Leo Simpson and Mr. Harry H. Bacon, to whom I am indebted.

1. Fuzzy Baby (S/N: 41-17845) A B26-B that he flew across the Atlantic in to Algiers. [from 10-18-42 to 3-6-43] On 3-6-43 this plane crashlanded at Tafaraoui. Fortunately all crew was uninjured, but the aircraft was a loss. (See: http://320thbg.org/phaircraft_028.html )

2. Boomerang (S/N: 41-17761) This 319th BG aircraft was loaned to the 320th from 3-24-43 to 4-7-43, during which time Dad was Crew Chief.

3. Eagle (Jeannie) (S/N: 41-18061, Battle no. 83) Sometimes called "The Jeannie" by my father. My thanks to Harry H. Bacon (T/Sgt. and crew chief of "Miss Arkansas") for informing me that this aircraft was known as "Eagle" (which makes sense, considering the distinctive nose art). This B26-B4 was given to the French after 34 missions and 1 enemy pursuit. [from 4-10-43 to 9-4-43]

4. Jeanie (or Jeanie II) / Barbara (Sis) (S/N: 41-34890, Battle No. 84) This aircraft was a B-26C-16 {Elsewhere designated B-26C-10-MO, according to serial no.] She had 34 missions with my Dad as Crew Chief. My Dad also called this aircraft "Jeanie II". In his diary he states that he let Hoover (instrument specialist, S/Sgt. Allan C. Hoover) change the name of Jeanie to Barbara ("Sis") for his wife (2-2-44). Dad was Crew Chief from 9-7-43 to 3-26-44. This aircraft was given to then Staff Sergeant P. Collins on 3-26-44.

5. Jeanie (or Jeanie II, Jeanie III) (S/N: 42-107532, Battle No. 86) This aircraft was a B26C-46 [Other sources match its serial no. to a B26C-45-MO]. She had 56 missions with my Dad as Crew Chief, before crashlanding on 8-6-44, when landing to refuel in northern Sardinia before returning to base. None of the crew was injured. In his diary my father said he thought this plane could fly again. Dad was Crew Chief from 2-7-44 to 8-6-44 [Crew Chief for both 41-34890 and 42-107532 from 2-7-44 to 3-26-44]

6. Fubar (Jeanie) (S/N: 42-43310, Battle No. 85) This was the last aircraft in the 444th (or anywhere else, for that matter) for which my father was Crew Chief. She had 127 missions with my Dad as Crew Chief, leading the squadron, when Dad left for OCS school in France to join the infantry. Dad was Crew Chief from 8-15-44 to 2-19-45. This ship was turned over to Dad's friend and Assistant Crew Chief, Leo K. Simpson. Mr. Simpson has informed me that this plane survived the war, with a total of 154 missions. Mr. Simpson also was the first to tell me that this aircraft was named "Fubar", not "Jeanie", although Dad called her the latter in his diaries.

*** Oscar Nixon Sheppard,Jr., by my count, was Crew Chief for the above aircraft for a total of 251 missions, with not one crew member lost. ***

WW II Photos (US, Africa, Europe)

Thanks to Dr. Franz Reisdorf for finding this photo of my father in his 320th Bomb Group archives and posting it at his website (www.320thbg.org in the "Base Life" photo section). The photo was taken at Drane Field (Lakeland, FL) between 8-8-42 and 8-17-42 or between 8-20-42 and 9-19-42. Dad was a Staff Sergeant at the time. By 12-2-42 Dad was on his way to North Africa.

The first B26 for which my father was crew chief (S/N: 41-17845), a B-26B. This is the aircraft that took my father to Tafaraoui from Morrision Field, FL. Probably taken in Tafaraoui. (Courtesy of Allan Hoover and 320th BG website, photo enhanced by myself).

(L to R): Bill Foit?, Dennis Graham, J.D. Biggs, Theron Reynolds?, T/Sgt. Honaker?. This my be my father's first ship, S/N: 41-17845. Probably taken at Tafaraoui. Again, thanks to Harry H. Bacon for the identities of these Marauder Men.

Here's what Dad wrote on the back of this photo: "8-1-43 - B-26B4 #41-18061, Name - Jeanie [Jeannie], Crew chief - Nixon Sheppard, Pilot - Lt. D.R. Coulter [David], This aeroplane came back from a raid on one engine. We changed both engines and when I gave her up to the French she had 34 missions to her credit and one enemy persuit (sic) [see next photo]. She was in on the first American bombing of Rome. This picture was taken just before she took off for Rome." Apparently, this plane was known as "Eagle" as well, which explains the nose art. One can see many references to "061" and pilot Coulter in the mission summaries section of the 320th Bomb Group site (see link below). Note: Aircraft behind appears to be "Bad Penny". The serial nos. I can make out are "17763".

Another shot of "Jeannie"(Eagle). This was obviously taken after the picture above since there are now 34 bombing missions and 1 enemy pursuit displayed on the fuselage. This apparently was the last photo before this aircraft was "given up to the French".

A photo of Dad in front of "Jeanie's" nose art. (S/N: 41-34890, Battle No. 84)

"Jeanie"(II), Battle # 84, S/N: 41-34890.

"Barbara(Sis)", Battle # 84, S/N: 41-34890. Yes, that's right! "Barbara(Sis)" and "Jeanie"(II) were the same aircraft. After "Jeanie" had finished 32 missions, she received new nose art and became (to some) "Barbara(Sis)" on 2-2-44. See Tannehill's hard to find "Boomerang" book for a photo showing both "Jeanie" and "Barbara(Sis)" on this plane simultaneously! To quote my father's war diary: "2-2-44: #890 went on a practice mission, on landing the left main tire blew out, put new tire on. Let Hoover[S/Sgt. Allan C.] paint a picture on the ship and name it after his wife Barbara "Sis".

Group shot of one of Dad's crews. From L to R, S.Sgt. Paul Collins, Sgt. Raymond Wall (Utica, NY), Cpr. Ed Wissner (NY), T.Sgt. Nixon Sheppard (Pensacola, FL), and Sgt. William Kelly (Utica, NY). Taken in Sardinia on 4-15-44. The plane in the background is my father's 5th ship, #86, S/N: 42-107532. This aircraft had 16 missions at the time and had just had its shark teeth and eye painted on 4-11-44.

Another shot of Dad's 5th aircraft (#86, S/N: 42-107532). Probably taken on 5-26-44, since this "Jeanie" finished 31 missions (the amount painted on the plane) on 5-25-44. (left: ?, center: ?, right: Sgt. Charles Edward Ware)

Dad was Crew Chief for four B-26s he called “Jeanie”. Here is a photo and newspaper article (In his hometown Pensacola, FL newspaper) commerating the completion of the 100th bombing mission (on 10-20-44) of fourth “Jeanie” (Actually, "Fubar", Battle # 85), This image shows (L to R), Oscar Nixon Sheppard, ? Mostue, Sgt. Charlie Edward Ware and Sgt. Vernon Prince (of nose art fame). Dad begged to go on this mission and was on plane with flak jacket and parachute on, when Col. Fletcher (C.O.) had to have him scrubbed from the combat mission. Crew on the mission was Capt. Birmingham (Pilot), Capt. Peters (Co-Pilot), Capt. Heller (Bombardier), Lt. DeToiser (Navigator) and Sgt. Takala (Engineer).

Another photo of Dad's 6th aircraft, "Fubar" (#85, S/N: ?). This aircraft completed 120 missions on 1-19-45 (more than any other in the 444th at the time). (Left: Probably my Dad posing in the cockpit; Right: Possibly 1st Lt. Sullivan whom Dad says flew the 120th mission.) This photo was taken in Dijon, France (Note the snow).

Cindy II (#98, S/N:42-107556) and #86 (S/N: 42-107532) take off from N. Africa. Cindy II was later shot down by flak on 11-8-44 (See: http://320thbg.org/remebrance_cindy_ii.html ) and #86, downed by enemy fighters (11-5-44)

Tech crews prepare to replace Pratt & Whitney Wasp twin radial engines in this Marauder. Note: See photo on p.30 (center-left of page) in Tannehill's "Saga of the 320th". Sure looks like the same B-26 to me (note flak hits on the fuselage). Perhaps this photo taken after one in the book?

Tech crews of the 444th squadron pose for a group photo.

Closeup of my father from previous group shot.

An old B-26-MA (or Marauder 1), S/N: 41-17612 was the original design. I suspect this photo was taken stateside and perhaps this old bird was used for training.

Rear view of B-26-MA (or Marauder 1), S/N: 41-17612

Dad in cockpit of Swing and Sway With Eddie K. Others are (L-R) Victor Nussbaum, Nixson, Allan C. Hoover, William Foit, Edward A. Kelly. (Photo courtesty of 320th BG website, www.320thbg.org) This photo also appears in Tannehill's hardbound edition of "Boomerang".

Dad wrote on the back of this photo: "Capt. T.M. Dorman, C.O. of the 444th, 320th Bomb G. He died with his crew chief in a B-26 crash although we never found any trace of the plane or them. T.Sgt. T. Ashing was the crew chief. Believed to have gone into Mediterranean off Tunis Summer of 1943." My Dad's diary mentions several test missions he flew with Capt. Dorman, including the delivery of his first "Jeanie" from La Senia to Tafaroui, Algeria, in which Dad acted as Co-pilot.

Notation on back of photo: "Frank Fillion. A saintly boy. Died in an auto wreck on the side of a mountain, near where St. Augustine was born." Photo taken at Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN) between 9-19-42 and 11-20-42.

T/Sgt. Stoerkel [Lawrence J.](Radio Gunner) Photo taken at Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN) between 9-19-42 and 11-20-42.

Note on back of photo: "(T/Sgt.) Lonnie Strong (Radio Gunner), was navigator on B26-B, 41-1845, the ship we flew to Africa in. Capt. Eddie K. Harris was pilot. C.B. Woodbury was radioman. He was (Woodbury) sent back to the states in a B26B to sell war bonds." Photo taken at Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN) between 9-19-42 and 11-20-42.

Notation on back of photo: "Tech Sgt. Bill Hoenck. Died or missing in a B-26 crash into the sea in the battle for Tunis". Photo taken at Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN) between 9-19-42 and 11-20-42.

Notation on back of photo: "L. (Laurence) Aldridge, one of the best crew chiefs". Photo taken at Baer Field (Ft. Wayne, IN) between 9-19-42 and 11-20-42.

Notation on back of photo: "Sgt. (Douglas M.) Rasmussen, center. Sgt. Charles "Big" Ligon, on left" Note: I believe that's my father with his back to the photographer. Is it just me, or is that fellow near the nose gear about to throw a snowball at someone?

Notation on back of photo: "T/Sgt. Carl Clayton Battershell of Indiana, Electrical Specialist on B26. Picture taken in Cagliari, Sardinia."

Notation on back of photo: "Eckhardt"[Herbert Eckhardt, Sardinia?]

Notation on back of photo: "M/Sgt.A.J. Mayer, Line Chief, 444th Bomb Sq., 320 Bomb Group (1942-194-), A.J. Mayer, Jr., Rockville, VA" [Tafaraoui, Algeria?]

Mostly unknown AAC men in front of Pyramid and Sphinx at Giza. (L to R: Unknown, Lt./Pilot Unknown, Lt./Pilot Unknown, M/Sgt. Byron C. Reimiller, Capt. Eddie K. Harris?)

Click here to access the 320th Bomb Group website

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