Seated (L to R): Allen Goodling (N); James King (CP); Herman Marrone (P). Standing (L to R): Raymond Seery (BG); James Stevenson (TG); Albert Topal (E); Gene Dennis (NG); George Earll (RO); Gregg Cloos (G)
- MARRONE, Herman C, Pilot – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- KING, James H, Co-Pilot – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- GOODLING, Allen C, Nav-Bom – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- TOPAL, Albert H, F/E – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- DENNIS, Gene R, Nose Gunner – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- SEERY, Raymond J, Ball Gunner – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- STEVENSON, James H, Tail Gunner – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- CLOOS, Albert H, Lt Waist – EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
- EARLL, George O., Radio/Op EVD 11 Dec 44 Marrone
716th Squadron
John 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.
MACR 10389
44-40331
A replacement ship received into the 449th on 26 April ’44 after being flown overseas from Hamilton AAFB, CA, by Kinsinger’s crew. “Silver Babe” was the first all-aluminum, silver-colored ship in the 449th versus the olive drab ships. Some crews thought the silver ships would be more attractive to fighters and did not like flying them. Crew chief was Sgt. Arthur Friedman. The “Babe” crashed in the mountains of Yugoslavia after suffering heavy flak damage over the oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, Austria on 11 December ’44. Marrone’s crew all successfully bailed out and were subsequently returned by the Yugoslavian Partisans on 5 Jan ’45. 9 EVD. MACR 10389.
Pictures of Silver Babe
