Personnel

CREW



2ND LT LEWIS C. WILLIAMS  P  KIA 9 NOV 44 SAARBRUCKEN, MY (S.T.)

2ND LT AUBREY J. BLOCKSON CP CPT 5 APR 45 NURNBURG, MY

2ND LT WILLIS R. McGUIRE  NAV KIA 3 MAR 45 BRUNSWICK (WITH J. THRASHER CREW)

2ND LT ROBERT B. SWAN  BOM NOC

CPL JOSEPH R. FEAGANS  ROG NOC

CPL DONALD D. McMILLAN  TTE SWA 9 NOV 44 SAARBRUCKEN, MY (S.T.)

CPL VERON C. KERR  BTG CPT 15 FEB 45 RUHLAND CITY, COTTBUS, CITY TAPS: 30 JUN 1984

CPL GORDON W. HUMRICHOUS WG SWA 9 NOV 44 SAARBRUCKEN, MY (S.T.)  TAPS: 22 DEC 1978

CPL LYMAN R. MORNINGSTAR WG NOC

CPL ROBERT C. HEDGES  TG NOC



349TH SQDN.. CREW, AS ABOVE, JOINED THE 100TH ON 5 OCT 1944. 



ON 09 NOV 44 (SAARBRUCKEN) LT WILLIAMS WAS KIA WHILE BAILING OUT FROM A/C 231986 "ONCE IN A WHILE" ALSO REFERRED TO AS "BOOMERANG" IN 100TH BG RECORDS.  HE WAS CAUGHT ON THE STABILIZER AND TAKEN TO HIS DEATH.  TWO OTHER CREW MEMBERS SUFFERD INJURIES WHILE BAILING OUT FROM THE FLAK DAMAGED AIRCRAFT.  THE A/C CRASHED NEAR THE TOWN OF PERLE IN BELGIUM.  (from Ray Bowdens book "Plane Names & Bloody Noses 100th Bomb Group)



Aircraft did not return to Thorpe Abbotts but crashed on the continent in Belgium and the remaining crew members were returned to Thrope Abbotts, the aircrarft was salvaged December 8, 1944.





2nd Lt Jack W.Thrasher   P  KIA  3/3/45  BRUNSWICK

2nd Lt Ernest F.Coble,Jr.   CP  NOC     A/C #44 8220

2nd Lt Gerald A.Rimmel    NAV  POW  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK  MACR #12892,Microfiche #4704

   Cpl Thomas C.Browning   TTE  POW  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK

   Cpl Albert L.Egsieker   ROG  POW  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK  TAPS: 25 MAR 1970

   Cpl Alfred S.Collins    BTG  NOC      TAPS: 13 DEC 1971

   Cpl George E.Mensler    NG  NOC     TAPS: 1985

   Cpl Joseph E.Turrenne   WG  NOC

   Cpl Cecil A.Baker    TG   KIA  3/3/45 BRUNSWICK



349th Sqdn. This crew,as above,joined the 100th Group on 3/12/44.



On board the A/C on 3/3/45  were:Lt Charles S.Bayha,  CP from the crew of J.V.DePlanque. He became a POW.   Lt Harry F.Bott,  BOM from the crew of Denzil Naar.  He became a POW. Lt Willis R. McGuire, Radar Nav from the crew of L.C.Williams was KIA. Sgt.Ray U.Muffley, WG from the crew of J.A.Carroll was a POW.  



EYEWITNESS:  "A/C 44-8220 was attacked by one of six jet E/A which made a pass at the formation at 1018 hours over the target just before bombs away.  The #1 engine was hit and burst into flames.  Bomb bay doors were closed and the aircraft slid away to the left.  The left wing crumpled and the aircraft flipped over on it's  back and exploded.  The fuselage broke at the waist door and both wings fell away.  One chute was seen to leave the aircraft before it exploded.  Later  four (4) others were counted.  Pilot was seen in cockpit 30 seconds prior to the explosion."

MACR #12892 (Thrasher)