Front Row (L to R): Robert Bird (P); Anson Hughes (CP); Deane Manning (B); Victor Harris (N). Standing (L to R): Richard Leaf (WG); Edward Szymanski (BG); Frank Watkins (WG); Jack Dixon (NG); James Blake (TG); Oscar Allison (TTG)
- BIRD, Robert P., Pilot – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- HUGHES, Anson F., Co-Pilot – EVD 2/25/44 Bradley
- HARRIS, Victor S., Navigator
- MANNING, Deane C., Bombardier – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- ALLISON, Oscar I., Flight/Eng – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- LEAF, Richard W., Flight/Eng, Waist Gunner – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- BLAKE, James M., Tail Gunner – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- DIXON, Jack K, Nose Gunner – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- SZYMANSKI, Edward F., Ball Gunner – POW 2/22/44 Bird
- WATKINS, Frank W., Waist Gunner – POW 2/22/44 Bird
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.
Sophisticated Lady
An original cadre ship acquired 26 October ’44 and assigned to Bird’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. The “Lady” was downed on 25 February ’44 when Bradley’s crew was forced to abandon her over Yugoslavia due to combat damage suffered on the mission to Regensburg, Germany. Before she went down the crew downed 15 enemy fighters. 1 KIA 9 EVD. MACR 2695.
MACR 2695
MACR 2712
41-29214
An original cadre ship acquired 26 October ‘44 and assigned to Bird’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. The “Lady” was downed on 25 February ’44 when Bradley’s crew was forced to abandon her over Yugoslavia due to combat damage suffered on the mission to Regensburg, Germany. Before she went down the crew downed 15 enemy fighters. 1 KIA 9 EVD. MACR 2695.
Pictures of Sophisticated Lady
