397th Bomb Group, 598th Bomb Squadron
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Master Sergeant William H. F. Laberee served with the 598th Bombardment Squadron of the 397th Bomb Group during World War II. His military records list his separation from service at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, on October 19, 1945.
Normandy, Northern France, Air Offensive Europe, Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe
Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
Supervised maintenance of four B-26 medium bombers. Responsible for inspecting work performed by aircraft mechanics, reviewing maintenance records, and ensuring all hourly inspections were completed. Personally accountable for keeping the planes flight-ready at all times while stationed in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).
Bill Laberee was born in Pictou, Nova Scotia, on August 14, 1912, to Walter George Laberee and Henrietta Campbell (Currie) Laberee. Although raised in Massachusetts, his mother traveled back to her hometown of Pictou for the birth of both sons - a choice not repeated for her three daughters. The family lived in Waltham, MA (1912-1917), and then Sudbury, MA (1917-1954), where Bill graduated high school in 1930.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen at age 24. In 1923, during a visit to Pictou, he was involved in a schoolyard fight after being called an "American". Ironically, he was still a British citizen at the time. The opponent may have been a distant cousin. Bill won.
Following the war, he worked for Eastern Airlines from around 1948 to 1977, in Boston, Atlanta, and back to Boston. On November 26, 1954, he married Jeanie Emma Hyslop (1917-2003) of Fall River, MA. They had one daughter, Jane Anne Hyslop Laberee (b. 1956). The family lived in Atlanta (1954-1962) and then Swampscott, MA (1962-2005).
Bill Laberee passed away at age 92 on May 27, 2005, in Beverly, Massachusetts. He is interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Fall River, MA.
While off-duty, Sgt. Laberee noticed hydraulic fluid squirting from an aircraft about to take off. Thanks to his unique vantage point and quick thinking, he ran toward the plane, making a throat-slash gesture to signal the crew to shut down the engines. His perceptiveness was later praised by a superior officer.
While stationed in France, Bill befriended a local family who occasionally treated him to traditional cuisine. After the war, he sent care packages to the family. His mother later received a thank-you letter in French from the matriarch, which the family still possesses (with a faithful translation).
William "Bill" H. F. Laberee
Group shot under propeller,: only thing written on the back is "France". William "Bill" H. F. Laberee is on the far right. No-one else is ID'd.
William "Bill" H. F. Laberee standing in front of "Bird Legs" plane. "France" written on reverse.
Unidentified man sitting on bomb. "Rivenhall, England" written on reverse
Group shot in front of "Blind Date" plane, Rivenhall, England.
L to R: Lt. Dwight H. Lowe, Engineering, 397/598,
M/Sgt. Anthony J. Blazicevich, MOS 752 Line, 397/598
M/Sgt. William "Bill" H. F. Laberee, Crew Chief, 397/598
M/Sgt. Douglas Melbourne Ames, Engineer Gunner, 397/598
M. Sgt. William T. Quarles, Engineer Gunner, 397/598
M/Sgt. Henry Schmidt, 397/598
Group shot outside barracks w/number ID's:
1) Sgt. Harold A. F. Heinze, Crew Chief, 397/598
2) Cpl. James W.
McClanahan, Aircraft Mechanic, 397/598
3) Thomas W. Deaver, 397/598
4) Sgt. Robert E. L. Hoffman, 397/598
5) John A. Darnell, 397/598
6) Cpl. Chester A. Bauer, Chew Chief, 397/598 or Charles L. Bauer, MOS
405, 397 or Ubald L Bauer, Pilot, 397/598
7) Wilfred T. Trewer, 397/598, Aircraft Technician; 391/574, Tech
8) William H. Hill, Ground Support, 397/599
9) Frank P. Salemo, Assistant Crew Chief, 397/598
10) Cpl. Edwin E. Harris, Flight Engineer, 397/598
11) William J. Weir, Electrical, 397/598 or Robert Herman Weir, 397/596
12) Raymond W. LaBelle, 397/598
13) S/Sgt. James "Jim" M. Whalen, MOS 513, 397/598
14) Cpl. Arthur Souza Martin, MOS 513, 397/598
15) S/Sgt. Carl G. O'Dell, Crew Chief, 397/598
16) Sgt. Frank Ellsworth Miner, Jr. Engineer Gunner, 397/598
17) Odell Walker, MOS 747, 397/598
18) Cpl. Edward "Eddie" C. Coveleski, 397/598
19) Sgt. Carlyle Nicholas Taetsch, Crew Chief, 397/598
20) T/Sgt. Wm. H. F. Laberee, Crew Chief, 397/598
"Irv Miller" is the only thing written on the back of this picture,but the front is signed "To a real pal, Irv"
Two men beside "Keep off the Grass" sign: on back of picture, says "Andy & Jim, MacDill Field, Sept. 1943". "Jim" has got to be Jim Whalen, also large group picture
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