Page 12
"LOCK'S LUCKIES"
I've attached a picture of "Lock's Luckies"--the crew that Lt. John Nesenkar flew with on Nov. 11, 1944. The names of the crew members, as John wrote them on the back of the picture we think he took are:
Left to Right: Back Row: Ginn, Kramarick, Avellanet,Cooper, Nagalski, Rollins
Left to Right: Front Row: Davis, Glickman, Rice, Lock.
These are the names on the crew list my mother received in 1945 with John's (Nesenkar) name with them as missing over the Adriatic, Nov. 11, 1944.See the story about Harvey Lock here.
Courtesy Elizabeth Weston
2nd Lt. John Nesenkar
...seems to confirm what must have taken place--according to the crew list my Mom received in 1945 containing John's name, he must have been switched or requested to be switched to the other bomber--from 745 Bomber A/C #42-51718 to 747th Bomber A/C # 42-51979. Bomber A/C #42-51979 's crew list mailed to my Mom matches the exact list of names from Lock through Kramarich with John's name being included with them. Thank you for confirming John's name is in the cemetery at Florence, Italy.
Courtesy Elizabeth Weston
From Bob Reichard: I found this picture of some of Crew #6459. It was taken at Camp Patrick Henry, VA the end of September 1944. This was just before we boarded the troopship to leave Norfolk, VA for Italy to enter World War II with the 456th Bomb Group.
Back Row Left to right: Bombardier REICHARD, Co-pilot SCHLUETER, Navigator SHUFELT, Kneeling left to right: Nose gunner PAINTER, Engineer DALESee more on Bob Reichard HERE.
Above is Lt. Jules Sachs and his wife, ca. 1944.
Also from Bob Reichard: In my personal picture & article book I do have the following: Lt Jules E Sachs, 0-826009: The only member of Crew 6459 who paid the supreme sacrifice while serving his country.
He was flying as a copilot with a veteran crew prior to leading his own crew into battle. He was missing in action on 11 November 1944, while flying from our base near Stornara, Italy, in B-24 bomber #42-51718, from the 745th Bomb Squadron, of the 456th Bomb Group.
The above photo of "The Baby" provided by Debbie Carpenter, whose father Herschel Carpenter is second from the left, standing. Herschel passed away May 20, 2002.
This crew photo provided by Dale F. Schieman. "With Fred's help I contacted Bill Mettam who provided me with this picture of his 744th crew which included my Dad as co-pilot. Approximate time in theater was 10/44-05/45. Top Row--Chet Woronics, Bombardier; David F. Schieman, Co-pilot (my dad); Bill Mettam, Pilot; Sol Weissman, Navigator. Bottom Row--Fred Brown, Nose Gun; Paul Irrera, Tail Gun; Douglas Robinson, Engineer; Bill Neilon, Top Gun; Mark Barrett, Radio. The Ball Gunner was killed by flak before this picture was taken and I don't have his name."
Of his father, Dale writes: "1st Lt. David F. Schieman,
Pilot, 744th B.S. He went through 44-D Primary at Cuero, TX, BT-13 at Waco, TX, T-6 at Mission, TX, and B-24 at Walla Walla, WA. He flew 34 missions with the 456th from October '44 to May '45. From '48-'52 he re-joined the Air Force as an enlisted supply Sgt. From '53-'66 he joined SAC and flew B-50s, C-47s, and KC-97s, retiring as a Major with 20 years active."
Click here to hear SOUNDS of the times: Music and more
Created 04/08/02 RJF Last Edited 04/20/03 RJF
