User:B-24Mike

B-24Mike is the user name for Michael Simpson, a World War II researcher with a family connection to the 445th Bombardment Group (Heavy). My father,1st Lieutenant Leland S. Simpson, served as the 445th's Group Bombardier when the unit deployed from the US via the Southern Atlantic crossing route. The Ground Echelon assumed control of RAF Tibenham in a change of command ceremony on November 4, 1943. Lt Col Robert H. Terrill arrived in the first of 63 aircraft assigned to the 445th on November 18, 1943 accompanied by my father 1st Lt. Simpson.

Since 2000 I have had an interest in the 445th Bomb Group, opening the first website on New Year's Day, 2001. I worked in conjunction with Maj. Richard F. Gelvin, a lead crew navigator who flew with the 700th Bomb Squadron. In 1998, Dick Gelvin, along with Edward Zobac went to the National Archives in College Park, MD and made copies of over 4,000 pages pertaining to the 445th. With that information, Dick started preparing "Personal Mission Histories" for his fellow Group members and their families.

Dick Gelvin passed away in 2005 and I inherited all of his substantial military records. Since then I have procured some 53 reels of microfilm records from the Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA). I have extensive records on 445th operations, aircraft assigned to the unit, and a personnel roster of over 5900, both air crews and ground support personnel.