Back Row (L to R): John S. Galati (B); Keller J. Blanchard (CP); Glen F. Johansen (N); William Bontly (P). Front Row (L to R): Loren W. Massey (FE); Leroy L. Compson (TG); Gerald J. Plourde (WG); Donald C. Eck (TTG); Nunsie Tripaldi (WG); Alfred L. Gallant (RO)
- BONTLY, JR., William C., Pilot – POW 4 April 44 Bontly
- BLANCHARD, Keller J., Co-Pilot – POW 4 April 44 Bontly
- JOHANNSEN, Glenn F., Navigator – POW 4 April 44 Bontly
- GALATI, John S., Bombardier – POW 4 April 44 Bontly
- MASSEY, Loren W., Flight/Eng – POW 4 April 44 Bontly Purple Heart
- GALLANT, Alfred J, Radio/Op, Nose Gunner- POW 4 April 44 Bontly
- COMPSON, Leroy L., Tail Gunner – EVD 18 May 44 McInvale (did not fly 4/4/44)
- ECK, Donald C., Ball Gunner, Asst Armorer – KIA 4 April 44 Bontly
- PLOURDE, Gerard J., WG, Asst Radio/Op – KIA 2 April 44 Kury
- TRIPALDI, Nunzie, R Waist, 2nd Flight Eng – POW 4 April 44 Bontly
717th Squadron
Edward J. Sass, Jr. was the original C.O. from June ‘43 to December ’44. Shelby McArthur became C.O. in December ‘44 and remained so until February ‘45. From February ‘45 to May ’45, Wilbur Parker was the C.O.
Reluctant Liz
An original cadre ship acquired 19 October ’43 and assigned to Bontly crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. “Reluctant Liz” was downed with Bontly’s crew aboard on the first Presidential Unit Citation mission of 4 April ’44 against Bucharest, Romania. 2 KIA 8 POW. MACR 3701.
MACR 3701
41-28596
An original cadre ship acquired 19 October ‘43 and assigned to Bontly crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. “Reluctant Liz” was downed with Bontly’s crew aboard on the first Presidential Unit Citation mission of 4 April ’44 against Bucharest, Romania. 2 KIA 8 POW. MACR 3701.
Pictures of Reluctant Liz
