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457th Bombardment Squadron
This squadron, commanded by LTCOL Lindsey Vereen and spearheaded by 1st SGT William Reeb, veteran of North Africa, took the war pretty much in stride. With SSGT Paoletti and his men, CPL'S Silverman and Sanders, behind the supply counter, with SSGT Mitchell in the orderly room and that artiste with the C-Ration can, SSGT Ktona, as mess Seargant, feeding, housing, camp construction and housekeeping ran swiftly and smoothly despite rain, air raid alerts, and midnight take-offs. This Squadron lost the fewest men in combat, had the lowest abort rate, and the highest percentage over the target of any squadron in the 330th Bomb Group. |
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AIRCrews - Aircraft - GROUNDCrews - personneL Crew 711 K-1 (SN 42-93969) was shot down on 24 May 1945, by flak and crashed into Tokyo Bay. The Pilot on K-2 (Bill Kerchevel) witnessed K-1 being hit at least twice by flak. The approach altitude was 10,000 feet. Kercheval witnessed K-1 first being hit on its initial IP between Mt. Fujiyama and Yokohama on their final approach. He later saw the plane takes its final hit just over Tokyo Bay and spiral into the sea. All aboard were lost, including LTCOL Frederick Andrews, who was the 314th BW's Operations Officer, who was riding as an observer. MACR # 14492 Here are four of her eleven
crew: Front Row L to R: SGT Merrit Fogel (RG on K-4),
SSGT Samuel MiKill (RO), Back Row: CPL Jacob Fisher (LG), CPL James
Fisher (TG) and CPL James Finucane (RG).
Crew 702 of "City of Red Bank" aka "Happy Savage". This crew flew 22 missions, mainly on K-2 (42-93976). This crew received 4 Air Medals.Front Row, L to R: SSGT Thomas Sawyer (RG), SGT William Klinesmith (TG), SSGT John Ryan (LG), SSGT Warren Thompson (CFC), Back Row: SSGT Eliw Kurucz (RO), 1LT Herbert C. Counts (Rad Ob), 1LT William Parkinson (FE), 1LT Herman Greif (N), 1LT Jay Titus (B), 2LT William Kercheval (P), MAJ John Matthews (A/C). Of special note, there is an oral history recording of Mr. Titus available at the University of N. Texas.
Crew 707 of K-3 "City of Fort Worth" (SN-42-93982). This crew flew 23 missions. The A/C, MAJ Jackson Wallace(the first one on the left) was awarded the DFC on 14 Sep 1945. Here is the rest of the crew standing behind K-11. They are L to R: MAJ Jackson Wallace (A/C), 2LT Roger Vannelli (P), 2LT John Nolan (N), 1LT Chester Kalinowski, Jr. (B), 2LT Norman Graham (Rad Ob), MSGT John Stanko (FE), SSTG William Ryan (RO), TSGT Bryon Bottomly (CFC), SSGT Richard Davidson (RG), SGT John Degroot (LG), SGT Francis Bradley (TG). The entire crew received Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters.
Crew 706 of "City of Roanoke" aka "Ready Bettie", flew 21 mission in K-4 (SN-44-69817). MAJ Herman Smith (A/C), 1LT Charles Hammer (N) and FO Norman Rael (Rad Ob) all received the DFC on 22 June 1945. Here is a photo of the crew just prior to their departure for the Marianas. Back Row, L to R: MAJ Herman Smith (A/C), 2LT Lloyd Rissman (P), 1LT Paul Poterfield (B), 1LT Charles Hammer (N), FO Norman Rael (Rad Ob) Front Row: MSGT Vern Ruegsegger (FE), SSGT Lester Dembiczak (TG), SSGT Paul DePascale (LG), SSG Elvin Eudy (RO), TSGT Jerry Strong (CFC), SGT Merritt Fogel (RG) The entire crew received multiple Air Medals.
COL Reynolds himself with the crew of K-4. In the center kneeling is COL Lindsey Vereen, the 457th Squad Commander. MAJ Smith is to the right of him. Crew 705 of "The City of Duluth" aka "She Wolf". This was the crew of the first K-5 (SN-42-93957) and flew her for 6 missions until Willman's crew left for Lead Crew Training and she was passed along to Woolwine. When Willman returned from Lead Crew Training they were assigned K-1(2) (SN 42-93976) "The City of Red bank" aka 'The Happy Savage'and flew an additional 9 missions for a grand total of 15. Left to Right, kneeling, CPL George Bearup, Jr.(RG), SSGT William Grove (CFC), CPL George Murphy (RO), standing, CPL Ollie Eubanks (TG), SGT Johnnie M. Walker (FE), 2LT Francis Hofheins (Rad Ob), 2LT William Grossmiller (B), 2LT Charles Sweeney (N), 2LT Raymond FRozman (P), CAP Robert Willman (AC) .
Crew ??? of K-5 (SN-42-93957) "City of Lynchburg" aka "Don't Worry Bouta' Thing". This was the second crew to have the K-5 aircraft designation. Front Row, L to R: TSGT Marion Potter Jr. (CFC), MSGT Joseph Ivey, Jr. (FE), SSGT Kenneth Owings (RO), SSGT Chester Shields (LG), SGT Charles Isaacs (RG), SSGT William Uschock (TG). Back Row: 1LT Eugene Copeland (P), CAP James Fiumara (B), MAJ Charles Woolwine (A/C), 2LT Walter Penny (N), FO John H. Schell (Rad Ob). This crew flew 15 missions and received 2 Air Medals. On 6 Aug 1945 they were sent to Muroc for Lead Crew Training and the War was over before they made it back.
Crew 713 of K-6 (SN 42-93971)"City of Council Bluffs" aka "THE GERM". This crew flew an amazing 28 missions. Crew received the DFC and received mulitiple Air Medals as well. They are; Front row, L to R: MSGT Stanley Richards (FE), TSGT Charles McDaniel (CFC), SSGT Harold Ossman (RO), SSGT Francis Fallon (RG), SSGT John Farr Jr. (LG), SSGT Ara Eresian (TG) Back Row: CAP Ralph Erwin (A/C), 2LT Robert Grainger (P), FO Melvin Peterson (N), 1LT John Hogan (B), 2LT William Fletcher, Jr. (Rad Ob)
Thanks to Mr. Harold Ossman (RO) for the photos and information
Here are some Ground Crew picks of K-6. That is Thomas Jones on the far left, CPL Edward H. Wilson, SSGT Glenn D. Garaffa and SSGT Virgil Rutledge on the far right. (thanks to Mr. Rutledge for info on this photo)
Here is another one of the Ground Crew of K-6. That is from kneeling, L to R: CPL Edward Wilson, CPL William Baker, Rutledge (blond) in the middle. Standing, L to R: SSGT Glenn Garaffa, SSGT Virgle Rutledge and SSGT Thomas Jones, Jr.
Here is a great site created by Harold Ossman's daughter. Great photos from Guam! Crew 715 flew only K-7 (SN: 42-93978) "City of Jacksonville" aka "Miss Take". They are bottom row L/R: SGT Leo Rabaut Jr. (RG), CPL Edward Preston (TG), SSGT Robert Richmond (RO), SSGT Jack Henderson (CFC) Top Row L/R: SGT James Burroughs (LG), 1LT William Keck (FE), 1LT James Adams (B), 2LT Arthur Harmuth (Rad Ob), 2LT John Loose (N), FO Clifford Readout (P), CAP James Bradford (A/C). This crew completed 23 missions and received multiple Air Medals and a DFC. They brought this aircraft over in April, 1945 and flew her safely home to the States in November, 1945.
Much thanks to Mr. William. Keck (FE)for the photos and info!
Here is the very proud Ground Crew of K-7. They are L to R: SGT Ferrel Palmer, Crew Chief Guy Hall, SGT Eldridge Sinclair, SGT John Branick and SGT Frank Middaugh. These men did their best to assure that the air crew that piloted this aircraft came back everytime. Crew
717 of
"City
of St. Petersburg"
K-8
(SN-42-93980) aka
"My Gal"
& K-14
(SN-42-94032)"My
Gal II". This was the
crew of the first K-8.
A/C was Thompson Hiles, Jr. After 10 missions,
the aircraft was grounded for repair and they flew
K-14.
Since their was no crew assigned to the newer K-14,
Hiles asked for her and from May on, they flew K-14
and renamed her
to My Gal
II. Here are the My Gal Guys!: front
Row L to R, SGT Jules VanHouten (RG), SSGT Charles Wells (LG), TSST
Robert Neu (CFC), 2LT Rudy Weber (Rad Ob) Back Row: SGT Andy Kosty (TG)
(really a CFC man), SSGT Jack Hardison (RO) 1LT Earl Deter (B) 2LT Robert
Crain (N), FO Everett Odom (FE) 2LT Roeder Stinson (P) and CAP Thompson
Hiles (A/C). Overall the crew flew 24 Missions total.
That is SSGT Lloyd "Jack" Hardison, Sr. 2nd from the left. Jack was the RO on K-8 and K-14 and by all accounts the reason she was named St. Petersburg. It was his hometown, which means his name was pulled out of the hat.
Crew ??? of K-8 (SN: 42-93980) Crew 2. "City of Williamsport" aka "Miss Annabelle". This crew flew 23 successful missions and received multiple Air Medals. On one mission to Hammatsu this crew lost one engine, but continued on. They fell behind in formation but still continued over the target with excellent bombing results. They then were able to limp the aircraft back to Iwo Jima and made a foul weather night landing on three engines! WOW!. Here they are in Kansas just prior to departure for Guam. Front Row, L to R: SGT Robert Allan (RG), SGT James Rollins (LG), MSGT Harold Wacholtz (FE), SGT William Blaney (TG), TSGT George Haruch (CFC), SSGT Paul McGinnis (RO) Back Row: 2LT Albert Seyller (B), 1LT Warren Ludlow Jr. (Rad Ob), 1LT Burt Zimmermann A/C), FO Henry Louy Jr. (P), 2LT James Kreitz (N)
Crew ??? of K-9 "City of Chattanooga" (SN-42-94062) aka "PLUTO". Pictured below, Front Row, L to R: CPL Harry Sibley (LG), SGT Floyd McCormick (CFC), SSGT Alan Utley (RO), MSGT Donald Wood (FE), CPL Emil Bevacqua (TG), CPL William Lee (RG). Back Row: 1LT William Cameron (B), 2LT Robert Mussina (N), 1LT Donald Freeman (A/C), FO Jack Weaver (P), 2LT Alfred Sisemore (Rad Ob)This crew flew 25 missions over the Empire plus one Dumbo Mission. They received multiple Air Medals as well. The (B) Cameron was the last to witness the Schiltz crew go down.
Crew ??? of K-9 this crew flew same aircraft as the crew above.They were, Front Row, L to R: 2LT Charles Taylor (B), FO Ralph Forte (P), 1LT James Reed (A/C), 2LT Joe Brown (Rad Ob), Back Row: MSGT James Pace (FE), SGT Edward Thomas (RO), SSGT Francis Peters (CFC), PFC Stanford Bleir (RG), PFC Joseph Miskunas (LG), SGT Richard Palmer (TG). Not pictured: 2LT Raymond Steppling (N)They completed 10 missions.
Crew 703 mainly flew K-10 "City of Louisville" aka "Shillelagh Highman ". They completed 19 missions and received multiple Air Medals. They were sent to Muroc in late summer of 1945 and never returned before the war ended. I recently received a crew photo from Aracely Tate (daughter in-law of Sam Tate) Many, many, many thanks for sending in this photo! Here they are front row L to R: 1LT Richard O'Neill (A/C), 1LT Thomas Kelly (P), FO Harold Anderson (Rad OB), Back Row: MSGT Adolph Finney (FE), SSGT Samuel Tate, Jr.(RO), 2LT Marvin Johnson (N), SGT Earl Haugen (RG), SGT Leonard Hartman (TG), SGT Ray Heintz (LG), SSGT David Thompson (CFC)
Crew ??? also flew K-10 (SN: 42-93935). They are Front Row, L to R : FO Bernard Vinoski (B), 1LT Nils Johnson (P), 1LT Charles Hinzman (A/C), LT Paul Baron (N), 2LT Roland Roupe (Rad Ob). Back Row: MSGT William Lower (FE), SGT Donald O'Hare (RO), SSGT Carlos Wastel, Jr.(CFC), SSGT Charles Rohrman RG), SGT Norman Steinmetz LG), SSGT Herman Transport (TG). Crew flew 15 missions and were awarded multiple Air Medals.
Crew 708 of K-11 "City of Berkeley" aka "Je Revien" (I Shall Return) The Bombardier, McKeane, was later replaced by 1LT Fotios P. Liginos. The A/C West transferred to K-54 and became part of the Keohane Crew. Thus the new A/C for this crew became 2LT Robert Kimball. Here they are as they were in late August 1945. Front Row, L to R: SGT Luther Goggans (TG), SSGT David Barrett (RG), TSGT Gordon Phelps (CFC), SSGT Joseph Marziani (RO). Back Row: SSGT Charles Bohler (LG), 2LT Harry Blaney (N), 1LT Robert DeChene (Rad Ob), 1LT Fatios Liginos (B), 1LT Adam Miller (FE), 2LT John Kraatz (P), 2LT Robert Kimball (A/C). This Crew flew 23 missions and received the DFC and multiple Air Medals.
Crew 709 of K-12 "City of Clayton" aka "Our Baby" Flew 8 missions in K-12 then the (P) Norris transferred to K-13 under McNamara. Crew received multiple Air Medals. After their 7th mission on May 14th, Barthels went on "sick call" and the crew was disbanded. From here on out this aircraft had a new crew headed by Bobbie Johnston. Here is a brand new Crew Photo compliments of the TG's niece, Judy Price. Thanks Judy! Standing from left to right are: ,1LT Richard(Bart) Barthels (A/C), 2LT Arnold(Pudge) Norris (P), FO Louis(Andy) Anderson (N), 1LT Fotios(Frank) Liginos (B), 2LT Bud Fields (Rad Ob) (later replaced by 2LT Harry Allstun) Front row; SGT Ronald(Kid) Brubaker (RG), SSGT Vivian(Sparks) Parks, Jr. (RO), FO George(Boot) Boutros (FE), SSGT Nicholas(Nick) Ianniruberto (LG), SSGT Charles(T.G.) Burlie (TG), TSGT Andrew(Kosty) Kosty (CFC). This photo was taken in late January 1945 at Walker AAF.
Crew 704 mainly flew K-12 for 23 missions. "City of Clayton" aka "Our Baby" Crew 2. They are, Front Row, L to R: SSGT Jerome Gromenstein (RG), SSGT Earl Allen (TG), SSGT George Spilich (RO), FO Ralph Donohoo (FE), SGT Paul E. Butcher (LG), TSGT Oliver Welch (CFC). Back Row: 2LT Robert Flishel (N), CAP Bobbie Johnston (A/C), 1LT Livingston Crowell (P), 1LT William Bender (B), 2LT Morris Borene (Rad Ob). This crew was awarded multiple Air Medals. The (N), Flishel was the 330th BG Association President.
Crew ??? mainly flew K-12. They shared K-12 with Crew 704. Late in June 1945, three crews of the 8th Air Forces, 316th BW, 346th BG, 463rd BS consisting of 1LT's John Dickinson, Roy Reeves and James Frey received orders to take off for the Marianas where they would fly with the 20th AF. The 314th BW needed replacement crews and the 8th AF crews were to absorb experience, which they could later pass on to their fellow crews. So on July 5, 1945 the 8th AF landed on Guam . They were the only crews in their squadron to see combat with the 20th AF. So, the answer is YES, if anyone ever asks you if the might 8th AF ever bombed Japan.The Dickinson crew served in the 330th's, 457th BS. Roy Reeves was in the 29th BG's, 30th BS and Jim Frey went into the 39th BG's, 62nd BS. They are, Front Row: TSGT Percy Hanson (RO), SSGT Edwin Sloan (CFC), SGT Lorne Keen (LG), SSGT Charles Vetter (FE), SGT Jim Harkins (TG) SGT Nathan Fein (RG) Back Row: 2LT John (Jay) Gormley (B), FO Earl Edge (P), 1LT John Dickinson (A/C), 2LT Paul Hill (N), 2LT Bruce Abrams (Rad Ob). They completed 11 missions including one for the Show of Force at the 38th Parellel.
Thanks so much to Mr. Bruce Abrams (Rad Ob) for additional data and the crew photo.
Crew
701
of "City
of Jersey City"
aka "McNAMARA's
BAND"
(K-13).
Crew photo taken at Walker AAFB. Left
to Right, kneeling, SGT Walter Solowski (RG), SGT Charles Staats (TG),
SGT Victor Swinkski (LG), SGT Vincent Hinkley (CFC), MSGT Charles
Hawbaker (FE), SGT George Joseph (RO). Back Row, 1LT Charles McNamara
(A/C), 2LT Bruce Liten (P), 1LT Robert Jones (B), 2LT James Kristoff
(N), 1LT Burgess Field (Rad Ob). Crew flew 28 Missions.
Thanks to the sons of Mr. Charles McNamara's (A/C) for the photographs and continued support.
K-13 on Guam in early 1945.From left to R are: Hawbaker, Swinski, Joseph, Solowski, Hinkley, Jones and the A/C, Charles J. McNamara. Staats is sitting behind and between Swinksi and Joseph. Kristoff is behind Hinkley and Jones and Liten is behind him. The remaining appear to be ground crewmen/armorer's etc.
Crew
712, flying (SN:
44-69795)K-14
(no time for a name yet)
This was the 330th's 2nd
loss in the War. They never got any easier. They crash-landed on Guam
after returning from their first mission at about 2200Z 12 April 1945.
First attempt in rain squall was aborted by Agana tower. It appears
that the aircraft made contact with a tree that did damage to the #1
engine, wingtip & flaps. A decision was made to crash-land vs. a bailout
because of damage to the plane. The crew was ordered into crash positions
and moments later the aircraft stalled out and cartwheeled while on
final approach to Harmon Field. The aircraft burst into flame and all
but the RO were killed instantly. The men are buried on Guam
in Army Navy Marine Cemetary #2.
Crew 710. This was the 2nd of 3 crews to be assigned the K-14 (SN: 42-94032). "City of San Jose". They completed 11 missions and received multiple Air Medals before being sent to Muroc for training. Aircraft then was handed over to Hiles and crew. We finally received a crew photo from the LG William Allen. Many thanks go out!! They are Back Row, from L to R: 2LT Leonard Raphael (Rad Ob), 2LT Charles Rhoades (P), CAP Robert Locks (A/C), 1LT Ralph Glenn (B) and 1LT Charles Geheb (N); Front Row: SSGT Maxwell Singer (RG), SSGT Richard Perron (RO), TSGT Edward Hoar (CFC), TSGT Gerald Warren (FE), SSGT William Allen (LG) and SGT Vollie Biddy (TG).
Crew
714 of K-15
(SN: 44-69996)
and
"City of
Gary, IN"
aka "?"
(hah!). This from the TG, Stevens.
"After about 8 missions, we had still not named the plane. The
Ground Crew then painted a giant "?"
mark on the nose . They said they did not know if we would come back
after each mission. They were right and on our 20th mission we crashed
on Iwo Jima with # 3 and #4 engines out". Aircraft was a total
loss. Goodbye
to 44-69996.No injuries to crew and they flew an additional 3 missions
in K-3.
Front Row, L to R: SGT John Stevens (TG), SGT Angelo Calderone (RG),
SSGT William Lloyd (RO), SGT Marion Kiehl (LG), TSGT Andrew Klotnia
(CFC), Top Row: MSGT William Culver (FE), CAP Thomas Abbring (A/C),
2LT John Reis (P), 2LT Charles Parsons (B), 2LT Wayne Brockeriede (N),
2LT Charles Wills (Rad Ob). This crew completed 23 msisions with only
a minor injury to their LG, Kiehl. He was wounded on a mission to Tokyo,
23 May 1945. Crew received multiple Air Medals after completing 23 missions.
Crew
718 (SN: 42-94029) flew an astonishing
27 missions in K-16
"City of
Kankakee" aka
"LUCKY
STRIKE". Front
Row, L to R: SSGT John Ryan(RG), SSGT Clinton Lambourne (LG), TSGT Jack
Boyd (CFC), MSGT Robert Barber (FE), SSGT Paul Roads (RO), SGT Arthur
Kruk (TG), Back Row: CAP
Vivian Lock (A/C), FO Fred Bingham (P), 1LT David Collins (N), 1LT
Frank Reuter (B), 2LT Oliver Ross (Rad Ob). They received multiple Air
Medals and one DFC for their mission flown
on 22 June 1945 against the Mitsubishi Aircraft Plant at Tamashima.
 458th
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This site was last updated 02/24/2010
