Person Page - 355

     Oletha Francis Bagwell was born on 2 February 1914 in Texas.¹ She was the daughter of Robert Berry Bagwell and Mamie P. Jay. Oletha Francis Bagwell died on 31 July 2011 in San Diego, San Diego County, California, at age 97.¹ She was buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park, Escondido, San Diego County, California.¹

     Clinton Archie Bagwell was born on 28 November 1919 in Erath County, Texas.¹ He was the son of Robert Berry Bagwell and Mamie P. Jay. He served in the US Army. Clinton Archie Bagwell died on 5 January 1990 in Sonoma County, California, at age 70.¹ He was buried at Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg, Sonoma County, California.¹

     John Lindsey Scoggins was born on 6 March 1856 in Dirttown, Chattooga County, Georgia. He married Mary Francis Bagwell, daughter of Berry R. Bagwell and Elmina Ware, on 13 December 1889. John Lindsey Scoggins died on 14 February 1937 in Chattooga County, Georgia, at age 80.

     Willie Mae Castleman was born on 2 May 1888.¹ As of after 1900,her married name was Bagwell.¹ She married John Abner Bagwell, son of Nathaniel Robbins Bagwell and Sarah Elizabeth Rogers, after 1900.¹ Willie Mae Castleman died on 22 June 1978 at age 90.¹ She was buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.¹

     Clifford A. Bagwell was born on 3 July 1903.¹ He was the son of John Abner Bagwell and Willie Mae Castleman.¹ Clifford A. Bagwell died on 23 October 1973 at age 70.¹ He was buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.

     James Howard "Ike" Bagwell was born on 4 May 1913.¹ He was the son of John Abner Bagwell and Willie Mae Castleman.¹ James Howard "Ike" Bagwell married Helen Bernece Odle on 17 July 1932 at Coal, Oklahoma. James Howard "Ike" Bagwell died on 30 July 1966 at age 53.¹ He was buried at Laurel Land Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.¹

     Rosa Pearl Wilson was born on 21 September 1893 in Nocona, Texas.¹ As of before 1912,her married name was Bagwell. She married Knox Earnest Bagwell, son of Elbert Franklin Bagwell and Belzira Jane Cruz, before 1912. Rosa Pearl Wilson died on 19 February 1975 in Andrews, Texas, at age 81.¹ She was buried at Prairie Haven Memorial Park, Hobbs, Lea County, New Mexico.¹

     Bedford Lee Bagwell was born on 18 August 1912 in Texas. He was the son of Knox Earnest Bagwell and Rosa Pearl Wilson. Bedford Lee Bagwell married Maria E. Sanchez before 1952. Bedford Lee Bagwell died on 13 February 1989 in San Miguel County, New Mexico, at age 76.

     Tom Walton Bagwell was born on 6 August 1914 in Nocona, Montague County, New Mexico.¹ He was the son of Knox Earnest Bagwell and Rosa Pearl Wilson. Tom Walton Bagwell married Lorene Dora Hutchings circa 1938. He served in World War II. He was a Technical Sergeant in US Army Air Corps and served in the 91st Bomb Group - The Ragged Irregulars as the radio operator in the B17 known as the 'Vulgar Virgin' (Boeing Production block number B-17F-65-BO Fortress) - Plane serial number: 42-29642.

He was shot down13 May 1943 and was a Prisoner of War (POW) imprisoned at Stalag 17B near Krems, Austria.

Tom W. Bagwell
AWARDS BY DATE OF ACTION:1 of 2

Prisoner of War Medal
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War II
Service: Army Air Forces
Division: Prisoner of War (Germany)
GENERAL ORDERS:
NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 - 12764

CITATION:
Technical Sergeant Tom W. Bagwell (ASN: 18035337), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces on or about May 13, 1943 and was held as a prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in May 1945.


The 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated at Harding Field, Louisiana on 15-April-1942 and went to MacDill Field, Florida for the first phase of training from 16-May-1942 to 25-June-1942. The Group was then assigned to 2nd Air Force at Walla Walla, Washington for the second and third phases of training from 26-June-1942 until 24-August-1942.

Effective 1-September 1942 the Group was re-assigned to 8th Air Force and began preparation for overseas deployment. The ground echelon proceeded to Fort Dix, New Jersey and boarded the Queen Mary on 2-September-1942 arriving at Gourock, UK on 11-September 1942 and then proceeded to their first station at Kimbolton.

The air echelon left Walla Walla, Washington on 24-August-1942 for Gowen Field, Idaho and received their first B-17s. The air echelon then went to Dow Field, Maine and waited until October-1942 to receive the remainder of their B-17s. The air echelon relocates to England via the northern ferry route between 23-Sep-42 and 11-Oct-42 assembling at Kimbolton and then the entire Group moves to Bassingbourn on 14-Oct-42 where they will conduct operations until 23-Jun-45.

The 91st Bomb Group, known more informally as "the Ragged Irregulars", flew 340 missions between 7-November-1942 and 25-April-1945 in 9,591 sorties dropping 22,142 tons of bombs. The Group lost 197 aircraft MIA.

Before D-Day these were predominantly strategic bombing missions, hitting targets like aircraft factories, air fields and oil facilities. After the Allies had gained a foothold on the Continent, the Group carried out more missions in support of ground troops, such as bombing railway yards and tracks. With 420 enemy aircraft destroyed, the Group had the highest total claim of all the Eighth Air Force Bomb Groups. The Group also had the highest losses of any of these Bomb Groups, with 197 aircraft reported as missing in action over the course of the war.

CLAIMS To FAME:
Highest total claims of enemy aircraft destroyed in 1sr Bomb Division: 420
Highest losses of all 8AF Bomb Groups: 197 Aircraft MIA
First 8AF BG to attack a target in the Ruhr: 4-Mar-43 DUC awarded.
Lead the famous Schweinfurt mission of 17-Aug-43
First 8AF Bomb Group to complete 100 missions: 5-Jan-44
Selected to test first flak suits in Mar '43
B-17G 42-31909 "Nine-O-Nine" completed 140 missions without a turn back for mechanical reasons.
Find out more about the history of the 91st at http://www.91stbombgroup.com/ and by visiting the Tower Museum at Bassingbourn (http://www.towermuseumbassingbourn.co.uk/).

US Air Force Combat Units of World War II Description
Constitued at 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 15 Apr 1942. Trained with B-17's. Moved to England, Aug-Oct 1942, and assigned to Eighth AF. Operated primarily as a strategic bombardment organization Nov 1942 and concentrated its attacks on submarine pens, ship-building yards, harbors, and dock facilities until mid-1943. During this period, also struck airdromes, factories, and communications. Attacked the navy yard at Wilhelmshaven on 27 Jan 1943 when heavy bombers of Eighth AF first penetrated Germany. Received a DUC for bombing marshalling yards at Hamm on 4 Mar 1943 in spite of adverse weather and heavy enemy opposition. From the middle of 1943 until the war ended, engaged chiefly in attacks on aircraft factories, airdromes, and oil facilities. Specific targets included airfields at Villacoublay and Oldenburg, aircraft factories in Oranienburg and Brussels, chemical industries in Leverkusen and Peenemunde, ball-bearing plants in Schweinfurt, and other industries in Ludwigshafen, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Wilhelmshaven. On II Jan 1944 organizations of Eighth AF went into central Germany to attack vital aircraft factories; participating in this operation, the 91st group successfully bombed its targets in spite of bad weather, inadequate fighter cover, and severe enemy attack, being awarded a DUC for the performance. Expanding its operations to include interdictory and support missions, the group contributed to the Normandy invasion by bombing gun emplacements and troop concentrations near the beachhead area in Jun 1944; aided the St Lo breakthrough by attacking enemy troop positions, 24-25 Jul 1944; supported troops on the front lines near Caen in Aug 1944; attacked communications near the battle area during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; and assisted the push across the Rhine by striking airfields, bridges, and railroads near the front lines in the spring of 1945. Evacuated prisoners from German camps after the war ended. Returned to the US, Jun-Jul 1945. Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945.¹
Tom Walton Bagwell married Patricia A. Roberts before 1948. Tom Walton Bagwell married Faye M. Tucker on 5 June 1997 at Rockwell, Texas. Tom Walton Bagwell died on 30 June 2001 in Mills, Natronan County, Wyoming, at age 86.¹ He was buried at Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery, Evansville, Natrona County, Wyoming.¹

     Georgia Mae Bagwell was born on 27 October 1917 in Comanche, Texas. She was the daughter of Knox Earnest Bagwell and Rosa Pearl Wilson. As of after 1925,her married name was Jennings. Georgia Mae Bagwell married Homer Louis Jennings after 1925. Georgia Mae Bagwell died on 11 December 2006 in Raton, Colfax County, New Mexico, at age 89
Georgia Mae Jennings, 89, of Andrews passed away Monday, December 11, 2006 at her daughter's home in Raton, New Mexico.

Family will receive friends Thursday, December 14, 2006 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at McNett Funeral Home in Andrews.

Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Friday, December 15, 2006 at McNett Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Swindell from Star Hospice will officiate. Burial will be in Andrews Old Cemetery.

Georgia was born October 27, 1917 in Comanche, Oklahoma. She married Homer Louis Jennings on August 30, 1935 in Roswell, New Mexico. They moved to Andrews in 1963. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Homer, in 1977.

She is survived by: Three Daughters - Evelyn and husband Kirby Perry of Apopka, Florida; Pat and Husband Bill Baldwin of Ponchatoula, Louisiana; Janie and husband Kenneth Spurlock of Raton, NM; One Son - Joe Jennings and wife Elizabeth of Big Spring, Texas; Foster Son - George Anderson of Andrews, Texas. 16 Grandchildren, 26 Great-Grandchildren and 7 Great-Great-Grandchildren.
She was buried at Andrews County Cemetery, Andrews, Andrews County, Texas.

     Homer Louis Jennings was born on 13 February 1911 in Mitchell, Texas. He married Georgia Mae Bagwell, daughter of Knox Earnest Bagwell and Rosa Pearl Wilson, after 1925. Homer Louis Jennings died on 20 April 1977 in Andrews, Texas, at age 66.

     Hannah Turton married Thiel Goff before 1735.¹

     Mary Eunice Johnson is the daughter of Garret Johnson and Judith (?)¹ Mary Eunice Johnson married James Goff, son of Thiel Goff and Hannah Turton.¹

     James C. Goff was born circa 1762.¹ He was the son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹ James C. Goff married Elizabeth Howell.¹ James C. Goff died circa 1837.¹

     Elizabeth Howell married James C. Goff, son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹

     Marsha Goff was born after 1762. She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹ As of after 1775,her married name was Heck. Marsha Goff married Johann Yost Heck after 1775.¹

     Johann Yost Heck married Marsha Goff, daughter of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh, after 1775.¹

     Allalujah Goff was born after 1763. She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹

     John Shelburn Goff was born in 1770 in Virginia.¹ He was the son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹ John Shelburn Goff married Anna Howell on 2 July 1794 at West Virginia.² John Shelburn Goff died on 2 January 1854 in Delaware County, Indiana.^3,1 He was buried at Mount Tabor Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.³

     Anna Howell was born circa 1777 in Virginia. As of after 1785,her married name was Goff. She married John Shelburn Goff, son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh, on 2 July 1794 at West Virginia.¹ Anna Howell died on 15 February 1852 in Delaware County, Indiana.¹ She was buried at Mount Tabor Cemetery, Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana.¹

     Elizabeth Riddle is the daughter of James Riddle and Dorcas Ann Welch.¹ Elizabeth Riddle married Alexander Goff, son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh, on 20 April 1799.¹

     William Goff was born after 1773. He was the son of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹

     Hannah Goff was born after 1774. She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh.¹ As of after 1790,her married name was Smith. Hannah Goff married John Smith after 1790.¹

     John Smith married Hannah Goff, daughter of John Turton Goff and Elizabeth Welsh, after 1790.¹

     Joanna Goff was born on 4 August 1782.¹ She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Modica Carrico.¹ Joanna Goff married George Gray Goff, son of Salathiel Goff and Elizabeth Sheredine Gray, on 8 October 1803.¹ Joanna Goff died in 1867.¹

     Tamar Goff was born on 4 August 1782.¹ She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Modica Carrico.¹ As of 28 September 1802,her married name was Riddle. Tamar Goff married John Riddle on 28 September 1802.¹ Tamar Goff died on 15 December 1823 at age 41.¹

     John Riddle married Tamar Goff, daughter of John Turton Goff and Modica Carrico, on 28 September 1802.¹

     Luda Goff was born in 1784.¹ She was the daughter of John Turton Goff and Modica Carrico.¹ As of after 1800,her married name was Springston. Luda Goff married Jacob Springston Jr., son of Jacob Springston and Elizabeth Lambert, after 1800.¹ Luda Goff died in October 1835 in Gilmer County, Virginia.¹

     Jacob Springston Jr. was born on 4 August 1772.¹ He was the son of Jacob Springston and Elizabeth Lambert.¹ Jacob Springston Jr. married Luda Goff, daughter of John Turton Goff and Modica Carrico, after 1800.¹ He was a veteran of the War of 1812 and one of the earliest settlers in western Virginia. He served Randolph County VA (WV) as a magistrate for ten years before moving to Lewis County VA (WV) in
1827.¹ Jacob Springston Jr. died in 1841.¹

     Garret Johnson married Judith (?).