Page 5

The "LUCKY 'LEVEN"

S/Sgt. James A. Rose is in the center of the bottom row - who are the others? Can you help? What little is know is that the ship was in the 745th for a time.  They were assigned 2/24/44 and at least the Pilot and Co-pilot were  transferred to the 5th (Wing or Group), possibly taking the ship with them. Several of the others are current members - but who is where in the photo?

Here are some answers from Fred Riley, 2/15/03:

• Pilot - 1st Lt. Joseph W. Palis - Top row L - R # 3

• Tail Gunner - Cpl. William Sawyer - went down with another crew., 4/7/44

• Bombardier - 1st Lt. Paul E. Linberger - Top row L - R # 2

• Radio Operator - Sgt. Wendall E. Rick - Deceased, transferred to 49th Bomb Wing.

• Engineer - S/Sgt. Henry F. Brilla - Front row L - R # 6

• Gunner - Sgt. Lugua - Given name and position unknown, but is referenced as having served with Lt. Palis at one time.

• Radio Operator - Paul A. Pepock - Front row L - R # 2

• Co-pilot - 2nd Lt. David W. Foley - KIA flying as an instructor pilot with another crew.

• Tail gunner - S/Sgt. Joseph P. Garvey - Front row L - R # 3

• Radio operator - James A. Rose - Front row L - R #4. 

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Beaver Crew

Front row: Bombardier, 2d Lt. George P. Sampson Jr. - Status unknown; Pilot, 2d Lt. Commodore E. Beaver - Current; CoPilot, 2d Lt. John A. McNeely - Status unknown; Navigator, Ltc. Edward H. Wardheim - Retired as a Ltc and is a current member.

Back row: Radio Operator, Sgt. Jesse C. Blair - Status unknown; Engineer, S/Sgt. Thomas J. Duffy - Status unknown; Top Turret, Cpl. Edward T. Wolinsky - Status unknown; Nose Turret, Constantine (Charles) A. Kiritsy - Current; Ball Turret, Sgt. Donald G. Revoldt - Status unknown; Tail Turret, Sgt. Charles Mazzola - Status unknown; Top Turret, Sgt. Anthony Flack - original upper turret gunner transferred to S-2, Intelligence. 

"FORTHABIRDS"

Pilot- 2^nd Lt. James W. Sugden; Co Pilot – 2^nd Lt. Lee O. Bogue, Jr.; Navigator- 2^nd Lt. Benjamin S. Opperman; Bombardier- 2^nd Lt. George F. Collins; Engineer- TSgt. Edward H. Kinney; Radio Operator – TSgt. Anacleto E. Magliacane; Nose Turret Gunner- SSgt. Warren E. Smith; Top Turret Gunner- SSgt. Paul S. Hensley; Ball Turret Gunner- SSgt. Clifford E. Todd; Tail Turret Gunner- SSgt. Robert C. Lind (kneeling, fourth from left).  This crew was KIA on 27 Feb 1945. Read a tribute to these men - the entire story and  painting of this aircraft - here. And more from another's view here.

 This photo courtesy of  Jerry Lind.

Click here to hear  SOUNDS of the times: Music and more

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