Joseph B. Schreiner
The J.B. Schreiner crew
| Front, L-R | |
| Schreiner, J.B. | Pilot |
| Gibson, R.C. | Co-Pilot |
| Taylor, P.P. | Navigator |
| Back, L-R | |
| Fischer, E.J. | Radio Operator |
| Shelby, J.H. | Tail Gunner |
| Piper, L.C. | Togglier |
| Sutton, A.L. | Ball Turret Gunner |
| Wyatt, J.W. | Waist Gunner |
| Rudy, E.E. | Top Turret Gunner |
Joseph B. Schreiner, (“Joe” to his friends and family) graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. After 13 months he applied for discharge and joined the American Air Corps for additional flight training. For the next two years he was with the 447th BG, in which he piloted 28 B-17 missions described on the J.B. Schreiner crew page. After his discharge in 1946 he spent two years as a civilian but could not get flying and the service out of his system.
Joe rejoined in 1948, was assigned to Wiesbaden, Germany and flew in the Berlin Airlift. During the Korean War he flew 51 missions in C-54s and B-26s. At the rank of Major, he completed the T-33 Jet Qualification Course at Westover Air Base and was an Intelligence Staff Officer at the time. As his intelligence work increased his flying decreased but flew enough to maintain pilot status.
His intelligence work continued with assignments at Langley AFB, Japan, Vietnam, and finally Camp Smith in Hawaii. His duties included reconnaissance, plans and programs, war-planning, target identification, and target systems analysis among others. His brother, my dad, told me he was a part of the U-2 program, but I’ve subsequently discovered not as a U-2 pilot. During his career he received numerous awards and citations among them the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and after his retirement in 1967 he was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal. Joe retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and passed away in California in 1986.
Some photos/information provided by:
- Charlie Schreiner./ family of Joseph B. Schreiner