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Doug Richard's crew and the "Purple Shaft"

The following is from Fred Riley, association historian: "The Purple Shaft" pilot was Douglas Richards of the 746th Sqdn. He ended up as operations officer. Here is the story of the name: 

Doug and his co-plot wanted to be fighter pilots and after graduation they were selected as bomber pilots.Before the computer, punched IBM cards were used. Around he outside edges were printed various categories such as cook, mechanic, pilot etc. These cards were kept in a drawer like box. The name, etc., was on the face of the card. Around the border were punched holes for each category; if the category did not apply to the individual, it was notched out.When a selection was made they were equipped with a long rod that had a Purple plastic handle on it! This rod was inserted through all the cards for the category desired. Well in Doug Richards' case that is how they were selected as bomber pilots. They always said they had gotten "the Purple Shaft"... Thus that is how they named their plane.

The crew of "The Baby" (below), in front of another ship, "The Piece-Maker"

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Thomas W. Markham Back: Butler, Tom Briegel, Rudd, Markham Front: Pete Flanick, John Gates, James Brunson, Benny Szewizyk, William Campbell, Mark Beland

  Sgt. Joe Niess (see also the Life pages and Crews4 page)

The Cissna Crew - The following names are written on the back of this picture:

Front row - L-R: 1st Lt Ratliff - Navigator, Capt. Dave Cissna - Pilot (now sqd's C.O.), Lt. Cerniway - Co-Pilot (now pilot), Lt. Walter Crowell - Bombardier, Back row: Me [Engineer C. Stanley Strickland], Shaynaik - Radio, Turnan - Tail gunner, Morom - Top turret gunner, Smith - Ball gunner, Cummings - Nose gunner (Note: the picture was cut so that the ranks of the men in the back row were missing.)  

Courtesy of Debbie (Strickland) Harrell

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