455th Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery

Courtesy of Gerry Kersey

From the personal collection of Donald B. Daniel

Donald B. Daniel & crew next to "Ten Hits and A Miss"

Standing (L-R): Charles Fisher (E/TTG); Charles Thatcher (B); Richard Armellino (CP); Stan Vogelfang (N); Lt. Francis Hosimer (P)

Kneeling (L-R): Harold Gales (TG); Burton Hewitt (NG); Donald B. Daniel (RO/RWG); Marvin Kuhn (LWG); Lorrain DeSpain (BTG)

Courtesy of Gerry Kersey

The correct serial number was 42-64500. This was a B-24 H model built by Consolidated in Fort Worth. It was one of the original aircraft assigned to the 455^th, and was further assigned to the 743^rd Squadron. This plane departed the U. S. for Italy on 12/22/43. The plane was lost due to a crash on 6/11/44. The MACR number for this crash is 5771. The photo you have was obviously taken while the crew was still training in the U. S., since the plane lacks group, squadron and mission markings, as well as a battle number.

Courtesy of Linda Ann Anderson Lisciarelli

Harry W. Anderson of the 455^th BG, 740^th BS and his daughter Linda

Leon Resnicow

Courtesy of Helen Ross

Leon Resnicow, photographer, of the 740^th Squadron, 455^th Bomb Group

Courtesy of Carol Wells Becknell

Standing L-R: James T. Harris (P); Norman W. Joyce (CP); Samuel H. Slawatt (N); Charles R. Shelton (B)

Squatting L-R: Delbert L. Krumrey (E/G); William C. Edghill (RO/G); Donald F. Rehkamp (G); Herbert Smith (BTG); Thomas C. Roberts (G); Peter W. Armato (G)

Courtesy of Bill Epperson

The crew of Virgil Epperson of the 742^nd Squadron. Virgil is standing second from the right. Lloyd Griffin is standing second from the left.

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

455^th Bomb Group Headquarters in Clovis, NM

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

455^th Plaque in Headquarters in Clovis, NM

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

San Giovanni Field

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Frank Lashinsky in front of Chapel at San Giovanni

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Mario Capacefala and Frank Lashinsky in front of 455^th plaque in Chapel at San Giovanni

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Plaque in chapel at San Giovanni

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Briefing room/wine cellar at San Giovanni

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Mario Capacefala, Dorothy Lashinsky, Mayor and Frank Lashinsky in mayor's office

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Mario's parlor

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Mario's Parlor

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Mario's Parlor

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Standing L-R: Richard J. Von Schriltz (P); Stanley Iverson (CP); Charles Brazelton (N)

Squatting L-R: William Taylor (E/G); Walter Lipps (RO/G); Alberty Beauchemin (A/G); Craig King (WG); Arthur Colton (BTG); Francis Lashinsky (TG)

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Walter Lipps (RO/G)

On our 21^st mission bombing the Vienna Florisdorf Oil refinery, just after bombs away there was a loud sound of metal hitting metal, that over-covered the normal sounds of flying. The plane pitched upward violently at the same time. A flak shell probably a 125 mm had hit about one foot behind and at waist level of our pilot R. J. von Schriltz. It coursed upward tearing a gash through the plane. It hit a machine gun stripping the perforated cooling barrel, and bent the gun into a ninety degree angle. It also destroyed the plexiglass cover of the turret. At the same time two shells burst on each side of the aircraft, peppering the fuselage. A fragment, about two inches long and three quarters of an inch thick, just missed me. It's been said, "God was my Co-Pilot", this was certainly the case as that dud never exploded. With our forward speed, if it were timed a fraction later, even the dud would have torn off our left wing.

We brought the aircraft home. A Stars and Stripes photographer took this photo, and it appeared in the next issue.

The plane was scavenged for parts.

Courtesy of Beau Judd

McVay crew

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Janos Szabo's yard.

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Part of Frank's plane

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Part of Frank's plane

Courtesy of Frank Lashinsky

Upper right wing section description

Courtesy of Sheridan Moore

Standing L-R: Bill Luddin (B); Ray Bunch (N); Dutch Dagankold (CP); J. C. Ellis (P)

Squatting L-R: Curley Knudell (RO/WG); William Moore (TTG); Pat McCarthy (NG); Pat Patterson (TG); Mo Mazur (E/WG); Max Lewis (BTG)

Courtesy of Paul Deion

Standing L-R: Milton Fischbein (N); Gilbert M. Cole (P); Joseph R. Walsh, Jr. (B)

Squatting L-R: Arthur A. Miller (TG); Gene C. Millet (NG); Raymond A. LaFazia (BTG); Bernard W. Daley (TTG); Merlin J. Hunt (RO/WG); Charles E. Schneider (WG)

Sky Wolf

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Polando Crew

Standing (L-R): John T. Polando (P); Olin H. Moore; John E. Bach; Robert Basala

Kneeling (L-R): John A. Heltzen; Carl O. Oase; John Jonker; Jerome Maisano; Arthur Krupski; Richard Perkins

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. John T. Polando

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. John T. Polando

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. Polando in flight jacket

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. John T. Polando on the right.

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. John T. Polando at the right near plane.

Courtesy of Caleb J. Polando

Lt. Polando receiving the DFC

Escape Statement for Polando Crew

Courtesy of Sharon Ryan

Lt. Walter H. Barton (CP) on the Gunn crew

Courtesy of Bill Krill

Standing L-R: Bud Turner (P); Clarence Davis (B); Leonard Hines (N)

Andy Owen; Jack Rudolf & unidentified

Courtesy of Colleen Dean

Ralph V. Moore, 38578822, 743^rd Bomb Squadron

Lt. Joe Parkin

Courtesy of Jon Parkin

2^nd Lt. Joseph L. Parkin

Courtesy of Jon Parkin

Lonesome Polecat crew

Standing L-R: S/Sgt. Charles J. Oltarzewski (E); Cpl George F. Harvey, Jr. (RO/G); Cpl Robert L. Belding (BTG); Cpl Michael Stohlman, Jr.; Cpl B. Rittenhouse (NTG); Cpl William A. Hill (TTG)

Kneeling L-R: William B. Gemmill, Jr. (B); Wesley Powell (P); Curtis O. “Jug” Kell (CP); Joe L. Parkin (N)

Courtesy of Jon Parkin

Standing L-R: Joseph L. Parkin (N); ?????; Bill Gemmill (B); ?????

Kneeling L-R: ?????; ?????; Robert L. Belding (BTG); ?????; ?????; ?????

Courtesy of Mike Reece

Pindown Girl

Ship No. 23

B-24H-5-FO

Serial No. 42-7749

This aircraft is shown flying over Detroit prior to being assigned to the 455^th Bomb Group, 741^st Squadron. It became #23, Pindown Girl, after being assigned to the 741^st Squadron on January 6, 1944. It was salvaged on March 16, 1945.

Courtesy of Rob LaDue

This is the crew on which Clyde Collum served. I suspect he may be in the front row and one of the two men in the middle.

Courtesy of Joe Nagle

741^st Squadron Staff Officers

Standing L-R: Capt. Schulmecht (Flight Surgon); Capt. Stuart (Operations Officer); Lt. Martin (Supply Officer); Capt. Van Lent (Intelligence Officer); Capt Graham (Assistant Operations Officer); Lt. Horenstein (Assistant Intelligence Officer); Lt. Denstman (Cryptographic Officer); Lt. Hudson (Personnel Equipment Officer)

Kneeling L-R: Capt. Berg (Executive Officer); Lt. Jones (Adjutant); Lt. Gilson (Navigator); Major Welsh (C.O.); Capt Ross (Communications Officer); Capt Burble (Engineering Officer); Lt. Hennigh (Armament Officer)

Courtesy of Joe Nagle

Courtesy of Lt. Swanner's nephew, Kurt

Courtesy of Michael English

Joseph T. English (WG), Armelling crew, 741^st Squadron, 455^th Bomb Group

Courtesy of Chuck Cherry

Fifteenth Air Force

304^th Bombardment Wing (H)

455^th Bombardment Group (H)

740^th Bombardment Squadron (H)

Robert Tank's crew

B-24 Serial Number 42-51414, The Uninvited

November 1944

Back Row L-R: S/Sgt. Charles N. Cherry (NG); 1^st Lt. Robert Tank (P); Lt. Curtis G. Cardinal (CP); Lt. Robert Hawk (N); Lt. Lee Bressler (B)

Front Row L-R: T/Sgt. Melvin O Pyle (RO/G); T/Sgt. Raymond "Red" Dubowicz (E/G); S/Sgt. George Martinchek (TTG); S/Sgt. Jacque DeZee (TG); S/Sgt. Van Allen (BTG)

Courtesy of Chuck Cherry

Aircraft 42-51414, The Uninvited, arrived in Italy (52 Advanced Depot) on 9/15/44 and was assigned to the 455^th BG, 740^th BS on 9/19/44 with Recall Number 11. It returned to the United States on 6/28/45.

Courtesy of Chad Argyle

The above crew of the B-24 called "Our Love" from the 742nd Squadron of the 455^th Bomb Group was the only plane to return from that squadron from the mission of June 26, 1944 to Moosbierbaum, Austria.

Back Row L-R: Sgt. William F. Pelky (tail gunner from Oakland, CA); Sgt. Chester R. Pratt (waist gunner from Boston, Mass); Lt. Kelly (Pilot and Operations Officer) (The crew pilot was Raider E. Ramstad who was flying with another crew and was shot down and taken prisoner.); Lt. Glen W. Nelson (Bombardier from Wisconsin); Lt. Charles E. Swanner (Co-pilot from Spanish Forks, UT)

Front Roe L-R: Sgt. Anthony C. Broduer (Radio Operator and nose gunner from Detroit, MI); Sgt. Howard Blumberg (Waist gunner from Baltimore, MD); Sgt. James R. Thomas (Engineer and Top Turret Gunner from Greensboro, NC); Sgt. Kenneth D. Lacey (Ball Turret Gunner from Kansas)