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B-24’s from the 790th BS. This is from mission #04 on 13 Apr 44. The target was the airfield at Lechfeld, Ger. Taken from 42-52534 ‘Witchcraft’ (flown by George Wesley Reed and crew number 062-R2) we see four 790th BS flying in the Lead Squadron and 1st Section.
The first plane on the left (top) is a rare photo of 42-52497 ‘Osage Express’ (flown by Frank Paul Prokop and crew #056-R0). She is flying in the 3rd position of the Lead Squadron
The next plan on the left (bottom) is another rare photo. This one is 41-28730 (flown by Stanley John Neitzel and crew #070-R0). This plane had previously been the subject of the ‘Blond Bomber’ name (which so far there I no evidence that indicates she was called). She is flying I the 4th position of the Lead Squadron.
The plane in the middle is the Lead Ship 41-29270 ‘My Wild Irish Rose’ (flown by Robert David Sheehan and crew #061-R0). This is the only known (to date) positively identified photo of her. As mentioned, she is flying in the 1st position of the Lead Squadron. Note that there was a lot of “brass” on this crew)
And finally on the right, is 42-52571 ‘Snooper’ (flown by Howard Walter Johnson and crew #069-R0). She was in the Deputy Lead position (#2) of the Lead Squadron.
The crew on ‘534’ was -
George Wesley Reed - Pilot
John Gaylord Oder - Co Pilot
Charles Henry Mintzlaff - Navigator
John Charles Kraemer - Bombardier
Robert William Dekerf - Engineer
Melvin Leter Bland - Radio Operator
Alexander David McLean - Ball Turret Gunner
Vernon Walter Bunrock - Right Waist Gunner
Henry Walter Kubacek - Left Waist Gunner
Robert Beverley McEwen - Tail Turret Gunner
The crew on ‘497’ was -
Frank Paul Prokop - Pilot
Robert Jackson Pittman - Co Pilot
George William Milliron - Navigator
Edward Herbert Condon - Bombardier
Edward Joseph Dreksler - Engineer
James Russell Boucher - Radio Operator
Floyd Delbert Williams - Ball Turret Gunner
Richard Charles Peters - Right Waist Gunner
Leroy Melbourne Hill - Left Waist Gunner
John Henry Burgelin - Tail Turret Gunner
The crew on ‘730’ was -
Stanley John Neitzel - Pilot
Robert Thomas Sander - Co Pilot
Robert Charles Sprague - Navigator
William E Davis - Bombardier
Roy Leon Rainwater - Engineer
Joseph Victor Perreault - Radio Operator
Robert Brooks Finch - Ball Turret Gunner
George William Leeper - Right Waist Gunner
Carl Walter Kleinert - Left Waist Gunner
Benjamin Franklin Meredith - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘270 was -
Walter Ray Smith - Command Pilot
Robert David Sheehan - Pilot
Anthony Robert Smolar - Navigator
Joseph Gleason Mulheron - Pilotage Navigator
Jesse Eugene Brooks - Bombardier
Martin Leo Altenburg - Engineer
John Jim Formols - Radio Operator
Robert Edmond Baker - Ball Turret Gunner
Caper Andrews Holmes - Right Waist Gunner (He was the Group Navigator)
Clarence Edwin Love - Left Waist Gunner
John Raymond Healy - Tail Turret Gunner
Crew on ‘571’ was -
Howard Walter Johnson - Pilot
Robert Delos Moulton - Co Pilot
Donald Duane Kaynor - Navigator
Jack Merritt - Bombardier
David Anthony Baumhover - Engineer
Roger Elwood Rafford - Radio Operator
Glenn Lewis Permann - Ball Turret Gunner
Harold Joseph Peek - Right Waist Gunner
Gunter Heinz Staedicke - Left Waist Gunner
Woodrow Alexander Spacek - Tail Turret Gunner
Source: Carolyn Lyman - Daughter of Howard S Steffey (Vet)