Personnel

CREW



ONE OF THE LAST AIRCRAFT TO LEAVE THORPE ABBOTTS AT THE CLOSE OF HOSTILITIES. DEPARTED 25 SEP 1945



 On the 15th of August 1945, Colonel Jack Wallace, Commanding Officer of the 100th toured the base personally announcing the 100th was scheduled to return to the U.S.A. The last six (6) aircraft to leave with passangers did so under Special Order No #1 dated 25 Sep 1945. Destination was Greinier Field at Manchester, New Hampshire.

 The lead aircraft, B-17G #44-8912 was flown by Major Johnson R. Staples. Aboard were five (5) crew members and five (5) passangers. Those aboard are listed below..



Maj Johnson R. Staples Aircraft Commander 418th Sqdn.. Commanding Officer  Taps March 1988

Maj J.S. Robinson  Co-pilot   418th Sqdn.  Commander of 24 Dec 44 Bulge Relief.

Capt E.C. King  Navigator  351st Sqdn. Flew periless 24 May 1944 Berlin Mission.

T/Sgt E.W. Miller  Flight Engineer  418th Sqdn Flying at the end of hostilities.

T/Sgt F. Kocher  Radio Operator  418th Sqdn Completed Tour 05 Jan 1945 Frankfurt. 



M/Sgt J. Klingenstein  Passenger  Flight Line Chief

Maj  Horace L. Varian Passenger  Gnd Execitive Officer

Capt William A. Carleton Passenger  Group Engineering Officer

Capt A.J. Tong  Passenger  349th Sqdn. Bombardier

F/O S.E. Wood  Passenger  unk Sqdn. Co-pilot