DRAFT — Request for historical research assistance

Subject: Walter G. Gates, 1st Lt. George W. Foote and the 716th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group

I am researching Walter G. Gates's wartime service and the documents behind his family's recognition inquiry. His Overseas War Diary identifies him as the right waist gunner in Foote's crew. His later epilogue describes the loss of the aircraft over Wiener-Neustadt on May 24, 1944 and references Missing Air Crew Report 05370.

I would appreciate help identifying the relevant archival collections, unit records, award orders or citations, and the appropriate process for obtaining copies. Please distinguish any located original record from a later recollection or an index entry.

I am also seeking recommendations, citations or correspondence concerning recognition for 1st Lt. George W. Foote, whose actions are described in Gates's epilogue.

For any particular document, please identify its title, date, unit, archive reference and access conditions. If this request belongs with another collection or office, a referral would be helpful.

This is a request for research assistance, not a representation that an award application has been filed or adjudicated.

Requester: [insert name and relationship]
Reply contact: [insert contact]
Known prior request reference, if any: [insert verified reference]

Review the recipient and the official archive's current request instructions before sending. Do not include sensitive personal records in an initial general inquiry.