• ISGRIGG, Vincent K, Pilot – RTD 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • GROSS, Robert A., Co-Pilot – POW 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • McGILL, Charles V., Navigator – POW 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • GRZESIK, Stanley E., Bombardier – EVD 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • ZIEROWICZ, John L., Ft/Eng – POW 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • TOSTI, Ottavo F., Nose Gunner, R/Op – EVD 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • SANDERS, William T., Gunner – 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • EISLER, Edward I., Ball Gunner – RTD 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg
  • AMES, Donald L., Gunner – RTD 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg, KIA 17 Feb 44 Messinger
  • WARNER, Estel L., Gunner – 14 Jan 44 Isgrigg

716th Squadron

716logoJohn A. Silverstein (changed his name after the war to John (Jack) Steele) was C.O. from June ‘43 to July ’44. He was followed by Charles E. Harton from July ‘44 to November ’44. Harton had served as the acting C.O. for the 719th squadron while Swan was in the hospital recovering from wounds during May ‘44 to July ‘44. Lloyd M. Bentsen (who became a U.S. Senator from Texas, U. S. Treasurer after the war, and U.S. Vice Presidential Candidate) was the C.O. from November ‘44 until February ’45. Robert Johnson took over from mid-‘45 to V.E. Day in May ’45.

Miss Lee

An original cadre ship acquired 18 October ’43 and assigned to Isgrigg’s crew who flew her overseas inDecember ’43. The ship, originally named “Miss Leeding” but changed by popular agreement, was named for the wife of the crew pilot (Isgrigg). Crew chief was John Booth. “Miss Lee” was downed with Sullivan’s crew aboard on the 26 June ’44 mission against Vienna, Austria. 1 KIA, 9 EVD. MACR 06443

Blind Date

An original cadre ship acquired on 9 November ’43 and assigned to Kennelly’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Joseph C. Gaus. On the 14 January ’44 Mostar mission, five men of Isgrigg’s crew bailed out, and the rest of the crew nursed ship #54 back home to Grottaglie. On 12 April ’44, she was downed on the Wiener-Neustadt, Austria mission with Beam’s crew aboard — 4 KIA and 6 POW. MACR 4034 (final mission); MACR 2398 (Isgrigg’s crew.)

42-7737

An original cadre ship acquired 18 October ’43 and assigned to Isgrigg’s crew who flew her overseas inDecember ’43. The ship, originally named “Miss Leeding” but changed by popular agreement, was named for the wife of the crew pilot (Isgrigg). Crew chief was John Booth. “Miss Lee” was downed with Sullivan’s crew aboard on the 26 June ’44 mission against Vienna, Austria. 1 KIA, 9 EVD. MACR 6443

41-29243

An original cadre ship acquired on 9 November ’43 and assigned to Kennelly’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Joseph C. Gaus. On the 14January ‘44 Mostar mission, five men of Isgrigg’s crew bailed out, and the rest of the crew nursed ship #54 back home to Grottaglie. On 12 April ‘44, she was downed on the Wiener-Neustadt, Austria mission with Beam’s crew aboard — 4 KIA and 6 POW. MACR 4034 (final mission); MACR 2398 (Isgrigg’s crew.)

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