WILLIAMS GUNNER REPORTED LOST IN AIR WAR, APRIL 18.
Williams—Staff Sgt. Melvin J. Hames, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hames of Williams, is missing in action over Germany, according to word received Monday night by his parents.
Sergeant Hames, a tail gunner aboard a Flying Fortress, was listed as missing on April 18.
When last heard from on April 14, he had completed 15 bombing missions over the European area.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, May 2, 1944
SERGEANT HAMES NOW LISTED AS GERMAN CAPTIVE
Williams—Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hames received word Tuesday evening that their son, Staff Sgt. Melvin J. Hames, is now a prisoner of war in Germany.
Sergeant Hames was previously reported missing over Germany on April 18, while on a bombing mission in which he served as a tail gunner aboard a Flying Fortress in the Eighth air force based in England.
The Williams gunner had previously completed 15 missions before his final flight, and on Monday it was announced in a dispatch from England, that he had qualified for the air medal.
Four days before he was reportedly missing, Sergeant Hames had a short visit with his brother, Master Sgt. Oscar Hames, who is stationed with a quartermaster division in England. It was the first time the two had met in two years.
Source: Daily Freeman Journal, May 18, 1944
MEDAL, 2 CLUSTERS AWARDED MONDAY TO S. SGT. HAMES
Staff Sgt. Melvin J. Hames, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Hames of Williams, has been awarded the air medal and two oak leaf clusters, according to an announcement from the army air forces servicing detachments at municipal airport, Des Moines.
The awards were presented to the sergeant’s mother Monday in a formal ceremony held in the post gymnasium at Fort Des Moines. Lt. irwin E. Stauber, of the AAF servicing detachment, made the presentation.
The sergeant, who was tail gunner of a B17 with the Eighth air force, is a prisoner of war in Germany.
Sergeant Hames citation read in part, “for exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in heavy bombardment missions over enemy occupied continental Europe."
Source: Webster City Freeman, Webster City, IA - Dec. 18, 1944
NOTES:
4 sons of Andrew J. and Catherine Leifker Hames are serving in World War II.
Urban B. Hames and Francis C. Hames are serving in the Army. Oscar H. Hames and Melvin J. Hames are with the Army Air Corps.
Melvin John Hames was born June 22, 1917 to Andrew J. and Catharine Leifker Hames. He died Dec. 13, 1991 and is buried in Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery, Williams, IA.
Sgt. Hames served in World War II with the U.S. Army Air Corps 224th Base Unit.
Sources: ancestry.com
