308th BOMBARDMENT GROUP

308th Bm Grp Insignia

Overseas Deployment of Air Cadre


OPS Order #57,

Shipment 0528A, Feb 15 1943

The following named officers and enlisted men were ordered to proceed in aircraft as indicated from Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida to a location provided to the Commander enroute. Of course, those aircraft were B-24Ds and that location ended up being China with assignment to the 14th Air Force. When known to us, the nicknames of the aircraft are in parentheses following the tailnumber and squadron assignment.

373rd BOMB SQUADRON

  • 41-24218 (Daisy Mae)
    • Leroy D. Cunningham, Capt, Pilot
    • Francis E. Holliday, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Maynard P. Johnson, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • James M. Everly, 2Lt, Navigator
    • John M. Davis, TSgt, Engineer
    • Vincent J. Pizzoferranto, TSgt, Radio
    • Michael B. Ludwig, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • William F. McCavick, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Eldred W. Stafney, SSgt, Gunner
    • Hazen. H. Bedke, 1Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24124 (Big Dick)
    • Dana M. Hill, 2lt, Pilot
    • Leonard C. Willer, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Glen C. Thompson, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Leon R. Wright, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Alfred T. Hill, SSgt, Engineer
    • Glenn A. Roberts, SSgt, Radio
    • Frederick D. Day, Sgt, Asst. Engineer
    • Joe (NMI) Duran, Sgt, Asst. Radio
    • Edward S. Hilaski, SSgt, Gunner
    • Paul J. O'brien, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24125, (Hell's Angel)
    • Burdette A. Pearson, 1Lt, Pilot
    • William A. Rutledge, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Max H. Nichols, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Charles S. Drake, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Robert W. Faust, SSgt, Engineer
    • Kenneth H. Pershke, SSgt, Radio
    • Wilbur H. Willis, SSgt, Asst. Engineer
    • Carl R. Foss, Sgt, Asst. Radio
    • Sidney C. Spencer, Sgt, Gunner
    • William L. Wilson, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24129, (Temptation)
    • George (nmi) Varga, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Donald B. Smith, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Richard G. Warren, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Russel J. Purner, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Nicholas Volanski, TSgt, Engineer
    • Donald M. Slemmons, Sgt, Radio
    • Robert L. Corbin, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Arvid J. Stomberg, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Jay N. Hawe, Sgt, Gunner
    • Alvin J. Detert, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24138, (Axis Nightmare) (later transferred to 375th?)
    • Roy E. Tooman, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Robert E. Hairston, 2Lt, Copilot
    • James F. Nolan, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Marvin J. Silvershatz, 2Lt, Navigator
    • James L. Whited, SSgt, Engineer
    • Robert T. Tertell, SSgt, Radio
    • Charles B. Hertzberg, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • George C. Little, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Deno (nmi) Renieri, Cpl, Gunner
    • John S. Szymkowicz, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24143, (Dippy Dave) (later transferred to 374th?)
    • David L. Willis, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Junior G. Hull, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Chris H. Williams, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Russel J. Greene, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Stanley L. Marshall, SSgt, Engineer
    • James E. Johnson, Sgt, Radio
    • Carl C. Burgess, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Arthur B. Franklin, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Irvin R. Howland, Sgt, Gunner
    • Dewitt G. Day, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24223, (Doodlebug)
    • Bernard M. O'Hara, 1Lt, Pilot
    • William C. McMurray, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Donald R. West, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Robert C. Murray, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Joseph F. Mooney, SSgt, Engineer
    • Norman A. McNamee, SSgt, Radio
    • James F. Currie, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • John A. Stachowitz, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Charles R. Edwards, Sgt, Gunner
    • William S. Davis, Maj, Passenger

  • 41-24164, (Maxwell House)
    • John N. Sherman, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Richard M. Meredith, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Raymond A. Tondreau, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Selig (nmi) Rothman, 2Lt, Navigator
    • John E. Bowdoin, Jr., TSgt, Engineer
      Raymond H. Turnipseed, Sgt, Radio
    • Marvin D. Gray, SSgt, Asst Engineer
      Paul A. Mowery, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • >Clemen B. Eaton (sic), Sgt, Gunner
    • William A. Chennoweth, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24166, (Thunderbird)
    • Charles C. Parker, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Wayen E. McMurray, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Max L. Tepper, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Tracy W. Worley, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Joseph (NMI) Hall, SSgt, Engineer
    • Leroy C. Jordan, SSgt, Radio
    • Samuel (NMI) Stoot, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Charles V. Dumato, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Robert O. Wafle, Sgt, Gunner
    • Richard P. Hjorth, 2Lt, Passenger

374th BOMB SQUADRON

  • 41-24243 (The Rum Runner)
    • George V. Bell, Capt, Pilot
    • Gerald T. Smith, 1Lt, Copilot
    • Charles F. Barr, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Henry W. Waters, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Bruce L. Burnett, TSgt, Engineer
    • Richard P. LeSeur, TSgt, Radio
    • Kenneth H. Wolcott, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Emerald B. McNeer, Cpl, Asst Radio
    • Leo J. Bennett, SSgt, Gunner
    • William P. Gjerde, Maj, Passenger
    • Hazen. H. Bedke, 1Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24181 (Reluctant Dragon)
    • Harlan N. Fiser, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Ivan M. Duncan, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Louis A. Roseling, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Charles S. Glidden, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Nathan G. Mallett, TSgt, Engineer
    • Francis L. McKown, SSgt, Radio
    • Francis L. Heim, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Lee P. Boaz, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Charles D. Ginn, Sgt, Gunner
    • Walter B. Beat, Maj, Passenger

  • 41-24183, (The GOON)
    • Samuel J. Skousen, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Ralph E. Bower Jr., 2Lt, Copilot
    • Malcolm S. Sanders, 2Lt, Bombardie
    • Daniel J. Palmer, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Archie L. Flaharty, TSgt, Engineer
    • William J. Novak, SSgt, Radio
    • Arthur J. Benko, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Caspar J. Chireleison, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Robert M. Kirk, SSgt, Gunner
    • James H. Gordon, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24184 (The Jinx)
    • Irwin Basen, Capt, Pilot
    • Arthur M. Prunty, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Maurice C, Lair, 1Lt, Bombardier
    • Otha Draper, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Roland E. Hamel, TSgt, Engineer
    • Edward J. McCon, Sgt, Radio
    • John T. Thompson, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Jettie R. Darby, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Wallace D. Culps, SSgt, Gunner
    • James J. Lichtenfels, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24296 (Escalator)
    • John P. Murphey, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Harold H. Laudig, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Loy R. Queaner, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • James E. Stark, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Ellis M. Elder, TSgt, Engineer
    • Joe L. McQuate, SSgt, Radio
    • Russell W. Peck, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • John L. Schindler, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • John C. Peacock, SSgt, Gunner
    • Abram B. Dannel, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24194 (Ubangi Bag)
    • Glen G. Curtis, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Newton E. Condray, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Leonard A. Robinson, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Joseph J. Trudel, 2Lt, Navigator
    • William T. Hahn, TSgt, Engineer
    • Pragedes V. Jacques, Sgt, Radio
    • Arvin C. Heath, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Donald E. Whitfield, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Dermot E. Fabel, SSgt, Gunner
    • Narin W. Formano, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24244 (Snowball From Hell)
    • John V. McCall, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Richard Brown, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Walter J. Rose, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Richard G. Willis, 2Lt, Navigator
    • James L. Drake, TSgt, Engineer
    • Israel Blumenfeld, SSgt, Radio
    • Robert E. Cook, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • John W. Barker, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Charles Bruni, Sgt, Gunner
    • John M. Hilpert, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24266 (The WOLF, later Hot Nuts)
    • Frank E. Ferrell, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Gordon E. Gilbert, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Bert H. Webb, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • George R. Howe, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Edward J. DePaepe, TSgt, Engineer
    • James A. Murphy, SSgt, Radio
    • Joe A. Sampier, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • J. C. Compton, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Jack O. Cummings Jr., Sgt, Gunner
    • Robert O. Daniels, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24188 (Lakanooki)
    • Homer V. Hockenberry, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Harry W. Bingham, 2Lt, Copilot
    • George D. Seymour, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Peter H. Spear, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Cecil J. Fain, TSgt, Engineer
    • Noble A. Brown, SSgt, Radio
    • Thomas J. Thornton, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Thayne MacDonald, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Carl H. Piirainen, Sgt, Gunner
    • Phillip M. Adler, Capt, Passenger

375thth BOMB SQUADRON

  • 41-24238 (The Bad Penny)
    • James H. Henderson, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Stanley F. Tomkovick, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Jack L. Pierson, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Burton L. Watts, 2Lt, Navigator
    • William L. Cervantes, SSgt, Engineer
    • Francis Z. Markley, SSgt, Radio
    • Melvin N. Harlow, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • David G. Schultz, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Kenneth W. Wilson, Sgt, Gunner
    • Charles O. Scott, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24284 (Katy Did)
    • John B. Carey, Capt, Pilot
    • William W. Clark, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Robert S. Starffer, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Kenneth B. Wieman, 2Lt, Navigator
    • William K. Burton, SSgt, Engineer
    • Frank E. Darewsky, SSgt, Radio
    • John L. Forbers, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Degar A. McComis, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Edward G. Benefield, Sgt, Gunner
    • Henry G. Brady Jr., Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24287 (Thumper)
    • Morris E. Heald, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Warren J. Murphy, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Busby W. Sweney, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • William S. Waters, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Nyles P. Corrigan, SSgt, Engineer
    • Charles R. Lee, SSgt, Radio
    • Robert H. Hamilton, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Joseph J. Italiano, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Riley L. Coker, Sgt, Gunner
    • David D. Kuperschmid, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24237 (Battlin' Bitch)
    • John H. Keene, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Howard H. Morgan, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Alfred Monitto, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Lyndell T. Highley, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Frank N. Martin, SSgt, Engineer
    • John F. Cummings, SSgt, Radio
    • Richard M. Griggs, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • John J. Mulligan, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • William D. Austin, Cpl, Gunner

  • 41-24279 (Betty-G)
    • Henry G. Staplo, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Albert I. Prator, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Elwood W. Smith, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Stanley A. Wells, 2Lt, Navigator
    • John H. Conway, SSgt, Engineer
    • George H. Harmoney, Sgt, Radio
    • Joseph H. Slack, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Edward A. Caseceli, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Carl H. Hoelting, Sgt, Gunner
    • Leonard B. Brune, MSgt, Passenger

  • >41-24288 (Little Flower)
    • Gene J. Leslie, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Errold H. Gurr, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Landen Slone, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Edwin Ballenger, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Samuel V. Butler, SSgt, Engineer
    • Joseph A. Grover, SSgt, Radio
    • Leonard L. Hancock, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Paul N. Gunner
    • Robert F. Burnett, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24293, (Sherazade)
    • William W. Ellsworth, Capt, Pilot
    • Donald J. Kohsick, 2Lt, Copilot
    • James J. Grady, 1Lt, Bombardier
    • Charles C. Haynes, 1Lt, Navigator
    • John B. Pauley, SSgt, Engineer
    • Michael B. Harman, SSgt, Radio
    • Robert A. Kunkel, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Aage V. Knudson, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Raymond P. Dillon, Sgt, Gunner
    • James E. Maher, 1Lt, Passenger

  • 41-24308 (Mudfish)
    • Arthur D. Karp, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Merle W. Jones, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Norton Salk, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • George M. Williamson, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Brainard Gerguson, Sgt, Engineer
    • Gane E.Westberry, SSgt, Radio
    • Fred Cook, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Bruce D. Long, Pfc, Asst Radio
    • William F. Cooter, Sgt, Gunner
    • Eugene H. Beebe, Col. (308th C. O.), Passenger

425th BOMB SQUADRON

  • 41-24066 (The Flying Wac)
    • Jessie C. DeHay, Capt, Pilot
    • Wyndham M. Manning, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Peyton J. Watson, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Edward F. Tiffany, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Arnold G. Stoychoff, SSgt, Engineer
    • Phillip Reeder, Cpl, Radio
    • Robert Kaiser, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Rex L. Murphey, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Merle Sanderson, Sgt, Gunner
    • Robert W. Fensler, Maj, Passenger

  • 41-24251, (Chug-A-Lug)
    • Herbert W. Oglesby, 2Lt, Pilot
    • John M. White, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Elmond J. Purkey, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Irwin Zaetz, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Leroy A. Harned, TSgt, Engineer
    • William F. Neubert, SSgt, Radio
    • Waino M. Williams, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Robert G. Vergara, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Albert N. Keene, SSgt, Gunner
    • August L. Niebuhr, MSgt, Passenger

  • 41-24224, (Eight Ball or The Mighty Eight Ball)
    • William A. Smith, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Samuel W. Tyson, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Charles A. Porreca, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Thomas D. Tippet, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Donald G. Masters, TSgt, Engineer
    • Phillip H. Nolan, SSgt, Radio
    • Edward J.4 Gumell, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Albert A. Gazo, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Bert Morgan, Sgt, Gunner
    • Fred C. Wall, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 42-40069 (The Pregnant Swan)
    • Phillips G. Huffman, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Jerrold E. Owens, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Harvey M. Nix, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Frederick W. Ossenfort, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Erle H. Thayer, SSgt, Engineer
    • Norman H. Price, Cpl, Radio
    • Aubrey Stevenson, Sgt, Asst Engineer
    • Louis E. Verhaegan, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Sandow E. Rivardo, Sgt, Gunner
    • Robert E. Mannion, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 42-40075 (Hot As Hell)
    • William A. Swanson, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Frederick L. McNeeland, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Robert E. Oxford, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Mathias J. Quackenbush, 2Lt, Navigator
    • James H. McGee, SSgt, Engineer
    • Harry B. Queen, Cpl, Radio
    • Michael O'Keefe, Pfc, Asst Engineer
    • Jerry G. Kuchar, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Clark W. Kuntz, Sgt, Gunner
    • Leland B. Farnell, Capt, Passenger

  • 41-24292, (C. E. Shack)
    • Richard D. Furbush, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Gordon C. Weems, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Newell G. Monget Jr., 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Charles R. Thompson, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Francis W. Sadler, TSgt, Engineer
    • Williamd G. Thompson, SSgt, Radio
    • Chalres E. Hanks, gt, Asst Engineer
    • Herman D. Jones, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Louis Kne, Sgt, Gunner

  • 41-24193, (The Pelican)
    • John S. Powers, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Desmond N. Fairbairn, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Truman H. Elliot, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • John F. Fogel, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Nicolas Valko, SSgt, Engineer
    • John T. Moran, Cpl, Radio
    • Paul Beasley, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Harry M. James, SSgt, Asst Radio
    • Howard S. Walton, Sgt, Gunner
    • James C. Averill, Maj, Passenger

  • 41-24222, (Ramp Rooster)
    • William C. Lunt, 1Lt, Pilot
    • Glenn E. Jennings, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Abraham D. Feldman, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Sidney Gusick, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Eugene F. Messerly, TSgt, Engineer
    • Joseph H.Lamb, Sgt, Radio
    • Robert A. Shadle, Cpl, Asst Engineer
    • James H. McIlrath, Cpl, Asst Radio
    • Omer W. Gobel, SSgt, Gunner
    • Hamilton R. Turbyfill, 2Lt, Passenger

  • 42-40062 (Five By Five, or 5 x 5)
    • Edward M. Mullikin, 2Lt, Pilot
    • Benjamin S. Hilkeman, 2Lt, Copilot
    • Emmett B. Van Deventer, 2Lt, Bombardier
    • Richard B. Young, 2Lt, Navigator
    • Dwayne W. Humphrey, SSgt, Engineer
    • Charles N. Hanson, Cpl, Radio
    • Howard M. Holder, SSgt, Asst Engineer
    • Joseph L. Smith, Sgt, Asst Radio
    • Robert E. Ferguson, Sgt, Gunner
    • >Horace G. Foster Jr., Capt, Passenger