Photo Gallery
Courtesy of Gerry Kersey
From the personal collection of Donald B. Daniel
Donald B. Daniel & crew next to "Ten Hits and A Miss"
Standing (L-R): Charles Fisher (E/TTG); Charles Thatcher (B); Richard Armellino (CP); Stan Vogelfang (N); Lt. Francis Hosimer (P)
Kneeling (L-R): Harold Gales (TG); Burton Hewitt (NG); Donald B. Daniel (RO/RWG); Marvin Kuhn (LWG); Lorrain DeSpain (BTG)
Courtesy of Gerry Kersey
The correct serial number was 42-64500. This was a B-24 H model built by Consolidated in Fort Worth. It was one of the original aircraft assigned to the 455th, and was further assigned to the 743rd Squadron. This plane departed the U. S. for Italy on 12/22/43. The plane was lost due to a crash on 6/11/44. The MACR number for this crash is 5771. The photo you have was obviously taken while the crew was still training in the U. S., since the plane lacks group, squadron and mission markings, as well as a battle number.
Courtesy of Linda Ann Anderson Lisciarelli
Harry W. Anderson of the 455th BG, 740th BS and his daughter Linda
Courtesy of Helen Ross
Leon Resnicow, photographer, of the 740th Squadron, 455th Bomb Group
Courtesy of Carol Wells Becknell
Standing L-R: James T. Harris (P); Norman W. Joyce (CP); Samuel H. Slawatt (N); Charles R. Shelton (B)
Squatting L-R: Delbert L. Krumrey
(E/G); William C. Edghill (RO/G); Donald F. Rehkamp (G); Herbert Smith (BTG); Thomas C. Roberts (G); Peter W. Armato (G)
Courtesy of Bill Epperson
The crew of Virgil Epperson of the 742nd Squadron. Virgil is standing second from the right. Lloyd Griffin is standing second from the left.
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
455th Bomb Group Headquarters in Clovis, NM
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
455th Plaque in Headquarters in Clovis, NM
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
San Giovanni Field
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Frank Lashinsky in front of Chapel at San Giovanni
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Mario Capacefala and Frank Lashinsky in front of 455th plaque in Chapel at San Giovanni
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Plaque in chapel at San Giovanni
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Briefing room/wine cellar at San Giovanni
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Mario Capacefala, Dorothy Lashinsky, Mayor and Frank Lashinsky in mayor's office
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Mario's parlor
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Mario's Parlor
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Mario's Parlor
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Standing L-R: Richard J. Von Schriltz (P); Stanley Iverson (CP); Charles Brazelton (N)
Squatting L-R: William Taylor (E/G); Walter Lipps (RO/G); Alberty Beauchemin (A/G); Craig King (WG); Arthur Colton (BTG); Francis Lashinsky (TG)
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Walter Lipps (RO/G)
On our 21st mission bombing the Vienna Florisdorf Oil refinery, just after bombs away there was a loud sound of metal hitting metal, that over-covered the normal sounds of flying. The plane pitched upward violently at the same time. A flak shell probably a 125 mm had hit about one foot behind and at waist level of our pilot R. J. von Schriltz. It coursed upward tearing a gash through the plane. It hit a machine gun stripping the perforated cooling barrel, and bent the gun into a ninety degree angle. It also destroyed the plexiglass cover of the turret. At the same time two shells burst on each side of the aircraft, peppering the fuselage. A fragment, about two inches long and three quarters of an inch thick, just missed me. It's been said, "God was my Co-Pilot", this was certainly the case as that dud never exploded. With our forward speed, if it were timed a fraction later, even the dud would have torn off our left wing.
We brought the aircraft home. A Stars and Stripes photographer took this photo, and it appeared in the next issue.
The plane was scavenged for parts.
Courtesy of Beau Judd
McVay crew
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Janos Szabo's yard.
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Part of Frank's plane
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Part of Frank's plane
Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky
Upper right wing section description
Courtesy of Sheridan Moore
Standing L-R: Bill Luddin (B); Ray Bunch (N); Dutch Dagankold (CP); J. C. Ellis (P)
Squatting L-R: Curley Knudell (RO/WG); William Moore (TTG); Pat McCarthy (NG); Pat Patterson (TG); Mo Mazur (E/WG); Max Lewis (BTG)
Courtesy of Paul Deion
Standing L-R: Milton Fischbein (N); Gilbert M. Cole (P); Joseph R. Walsh, Jr. (B)
Squatting L-R: Arthur A. Miller (TG); Gene C. Millet (NG); Raymond A. LaFazia (BTG); Bernard W. Daley (TTG); Merlin J. Hunt (RO/WG); Charles E. Schneider (WG)
Sky Wolf
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Polando Crew
Standing (L-R): John T. Polando (P); Olin H. Moore; John E. Bach; Robert Basala
Kneeling (L-R): John A. Heltzen; Carl O. Oase; John Jonker; Jerome Maisano; Arthur Krupski; Richard Perkins
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. John T. Polando
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. John T. Polando
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. Polando in flight jacket
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. John T. Polando on the right.
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. John T. Polando at the right near plane.
Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando
Lt. Polando receiving the DFC
Escape Statement for Polando Crew
Courtesy of Sharon Ryan
Lt. Walter H. Barton (CP) on the Gunn crew
Courtesy of Bill Krill
Standing L-R: Bud Turner (P); Clarence Davis (B); Leonard Hines (N)
Andy Owen; Jack Rudolf & unidentified
Courtesy of Colleen Dean
Ralph V. Moore, 38578822, 743rd Bomb Squadron
Courtesy of Jon Parkin
2nd Lt. Joseph L. Parkin
Courtesy of Jon Parkin
Lonesome Polecat crew
Standing L-R: S/Sgt. Charles J. Oltarzewski (E); Cpl George F. Harvey, Jr. (RO/G); Cpl Robert L. Belding (BTG); Cpl Michael Stohlman, Jr.; Cpl B. Rittenhouse (NTG); Cpl William A. Hill (TTG)
Kneeling L-R: William B. Gemmill, Jr. (B); Wesley Powell (P); Curtis O. “Jug” Kell (CP); Joe L. Parkin (N)
Courtesy of Jon Parkin
Standing L-R: Joseph L. Parkin (N); ?????; Bill Gemmill (B); ?????
Kneeling L-R: ?????; ?????; Robert L. Belding (BTG); ?????; ?????; ?????
Courtesy of Mike Reece
Pindown Girl
Ship No. 23
B-24H-5-FO
Serial No. 42-7749
This aircraft is shown flying over Detroit prior to being assigned to the 455th Bomb Group, 741st Squadron. It became #23, Pindown Girl, after being assigned to the 741st Squadron on January 6, 1944. It was salvaged on March 16, 1945.
Courtesy of Rob LaDue
This is the crew on which Clyde Collum served. I suspect he may be in the front row and one of the two men in the middle.
Courtesy of Joe Nagle
741st Squadron Staff Officers
Standing L-R: Capt. Schulmecht (Flight Surgon); Capt. Stuart (Operations Officer); Lt. Martin (Supply Officer); Capt. Van Lent (Intelligence Officer); Capt Graham (Assistant Operations Officer); Lt. Horenstein (Assistant Intelligence Officer); Lt. Denstman (Cryptographic Officer); Lt. Hudson (Personnel Equipment Officer)
Kneeling L-R: Capt. Berg (Executive Officer); Lt. Jones (Adjutant); Lt. Gilson (Navigator); Major Welsh (C.O.); Capt Ross (Communications Officer); Capt Burble (Engineering Officer); Lt. Hennigh (Armament Officer)
Courtesy of Joe Nagle
Courtesy of Lt. Swanner's nephew, Kurt
Courtesy of Michael English
Joseph T. English (WG), Armelling crew, 741st Squadron, 455th Bomb Group
Courtesy of Chuck Cherry
Fifteenth Air Force
304th Bombardment Wing (H)
455th Bombardment Group (H)
740th Bombardment Squadron (H)
Robert Tank's crew
B-24 Serial Number 42-51414, The Uninvited
November 1944
Back Row L-R: S/Sgt. Charles N. Cherry (NG); 1st Lt. Robert Tank (P); Lt. Curtis G. Cardinal (CP); Lt. Robert Hawk (N); Lt. Lee Bressler (B)
Front Row L-R: T/Sgt. Melvin O Pyle (RO/G); T/Sgt. Raymond "Red" Dubowicz (E/G); S/Sgt. George Martinchek (TTG); S/Sgt. Jacque DeZee (TG); S/Sgt. Van Allen (BTG)
Courtesy of Chuck Cherry
Aircraft 42-51414, The Uninvited, arrived in Italy (52 Advanced Depot) on 9/15/44 and was assigned to the 455th BG, 740th BS on 9/19/44 with Recall Number 11. It returned to the United States on 6/28/45.
Courtesy of Chad Argyle
The above crew of the B-24 called "Our Love" from the 742nd Squadron of the 455th Bomb Group was the only plane to return from that squadron from the mission of June 26, 1944 to Moosbierbaum, Austria.
Back Row L-R: Sgt. William F. Pelky (tail gunner from Oakland, CA); Sgt. Chester R. Pratt (waist gunner from Boston, Mass); Lt. Kelly (Pilot and Operations Officer) (The crew pilot was Raider E. Ramstad who was flying with another crew and was shot down and taken prisoner.); Lt. Glen W. Nelson (Bombardier from Wisconsin); Lt. Charles E. Swanner (Co-pilot from Spanish Forks, UT)
Front Roe L-R: Sgt. Anthony C. Broduer (Radio Operator and nose gunner from Detroit, MI); Sgt. Howard Blumberg (Waist gunner from Baltimore, MD); Sgt. James R. Thomas (Engineer and Top Turret Gunner from Greensboro, NC); Sgt. Kenneth D. Lacey (Ball Turret Gunner from Kansas)
Courtesy of Jordan Pelka
Young crew in front of Mickey Lynn, 42-78232, B-24G-10-NT
Capt. Leland Young (P)
Elmo Henske (CP)
Jerry Thuma (E)
Bill Green (RO)
Courtesy of John Bybee
Richards crew
743rd Squadron
Standing L-R: J. J. Cramer (TG); ?????; ?????; ?????; ?????; ?????
Kneeling L-R: Peter Payant (CP); Jack Baltzell (N); 2nd Lt. Leroy Harvey Hewit (B); 1st Lt. William V. Richards Jr. (P)
Courtesy of John Bybee
Richards crew
743rd Squadron
17 December 1944
Courtesy of Zak Bradshaw
743rd Ordnance Section
Courtesy of Zak Bradshaw
743rd Ordnance Section