O'Neal - #10/31
Courtesy of Dan Matthews
Standing L-R: O'Neal, Joseph M. (P) [KIA]; Rothe, Roderick E. (CP) [KIA]; Knoke, Sheldon D. (B); Merritt (N)
Kneeling L-R: Martin, Donald M. (RWG); Keenan, Francis T. (LWG) [KIA]; Rossini, Gino F. (NG) [KIA]; Nowosilski, Harry (BG); Mitchell, Burton F. Jr. (TG) [KIA]; Ellis, Thomas R. (TT) [KIA]
Note:Merritt (N) does not appear on the 461st BG roster. Could he have been pulled from the crew before deployment?
Courtesy of Dan Matthews
A member of the crew who had survived the crash of Joseph O'Neal's B-24 (Ship No. 52/44-48761) visited Francis Keenan's family following release from a POW camp after the war. He described what had happened, and Keenan's brother (who had served as a pilot in the USAAF) wrote the story and drawing of the airplane on the back of the crew photo. Click on the image for a larger version.
Courtesy of Dan Matthews
Francis Keenan just prior to being deployed.
Courtesy of Dan Matthews
Model of 44-48761 (#52) that O'Neal crew #10/31 were flying when they went down.
Courtesy of Dan Matthews
Letter to Francis Keenan's mother concerning the death of her son.