Front Row (L to R): Cesio Vannater (WG); John Fraer (G); Clyde Flowers (FE); James Mitchell (TG). Standing (L to R): David Godfrey (G); Ray Staley (P); George McMullen (N); Robert Schmitz (CP); Richard Blaisdell (B); Phil Stenger (RO)

  • STALEY, Ray C., Pilot
  • SCHMITZ, Robert K., Co-Pilot – POW 16 Apr 44 Temchulla
  • McMULLEN, George E., Navigator
  • BLAISDELL, Richard C., Bombardier
  • FLOWERS, Clyde F, Ft/Eng
  • STENGER, Phil, Radio/OP
  • MITCHELL, James A, Tail Gunner
  • GODFREY, David H., Gunner
  • FRAER, John, Gunner
  • VANNATER, Cesco C, Waist Gunner

718th Squadron

718logoWilliam Nosker was the original C.O. from July ‘43 until April ‘44 when he was transferred to the 47th Wing Headquarters as Assistant Operations Officer. Nosker was killed when the 376th Bomb Group B-24 that he was aboard crashed on takeoff on 15 August ‘44. Rexford Tompkins, the original Operations Officer for the 718th, became the C.O. in April ‘44 and remained so until September ’44. Charles Jordan finished out the war as the 718th C. O. from September ‘44 through May ’45.

Hells-A-Poppin

An original cadre ship acquired 9 November ’43 and assigned to Staley’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. “Hells-A-Poppin” went down with Temchulla’s crew aboard on 16 April ’44 on the Brasov, Romania mission. 3 KIA, 7 POW. MACR 4039.

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