Standing (L to R): R. Boren (B); Wm. Mann (N); B. Sermersheim (CP); P. Harper (P) Bottom Row (L to R): R. Williams (WG); H. Tombre (TG); D. Clark (BG); J. Clark (NG); K. Jones (R/O); D. Barna (FE)

Standing (L to R): T/Sgt Barna, Sgt Byfield, Sgt. Clark. Sitting (L to R): S/Sgt Williams, Lt. Boren, Lt. Harper. Down front is Sgt. Horner.
*Photo taken at the Chetnik camp, 28 July ’44, after being downed by flak on 5 May ’44

  • HARPER, Paul R., Pilot – EVD 5 May 44 Harper
  • SERMERSHEIM, Bernard V, Co-Pilot – POW 5 May 44, Harper
  • MANN JR, William K., Navigator – EVD 5 May 44 Harper
  • BOREN, Robert S., Bombardier – EVD 5 May 44 Harper
  • BARNA, Demetro, Flight Engineer/Top Gunner – EVD 5 May 44 Harper
  • TOMBRE, Harold L., Assist Eng/Tail Gunner
  • JONES, William A, Radio/Op/Waist Gunner/ AR – KIA 30 Jan 1944 Kendall
  • WILLIAMS, Robert, W., Asst Radio/Op/Waist Gunner – EVD 5 May 44 Harper
  • CLARK, Donald, , Ball Gunner – EVD 5 May 55 Harper
  • CLARK, Joseph F., Nose Gunner
  • BROWN, Don R., Nose Turret – KIA 14 Jan 44 Pickard

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.

Big Noise From Kentucky

Big Noise From Kentucky

An original cadre ship acquired 5 November ’43 and assigned to Porter’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Sgt. Francis Weaver. The ship was named by the first pilot, Fletcher S. Porter, whose hometown was Georgetown, Kentucky. Porter was KIA on 30 January ’44 while flying as copilot with Ben Kendall’s crew. The original copilot, 2nd Lt Thomas N. Turner was KIA while flying as copilot with Hank Silver’s crew on 17 May ’44. “Big Noise” was downed by flak near Bor, Yugoslavia on 5 May ’44 returning from Ploesti with Paul Harper’s crew aboard. Harper’s crew bailed out. Nine of the crew were ultimately rescued by the “Chetnik” forces and subsequently returned to Grottaglie. The copilot broke an ankle on landing and became a POW. MACR 4661.

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

Harpers Ferry

An original cadre ship acquired 6 November ’43. Assigned to Harper’s crew. Flown overseas by Harper’s crew with 718th Squadron Commander William (Bill) Nosker in December ’43. Crew chief was Dominic Cafarellie. The “Ferry” completed at least 86 sorties and was reported to be still in combat in December ’44. On 16 August ’45 the “Ferry” was salvaged, thus being one of the few original aircraft known to last out the war.

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An original cadre ship acquired 6 November ’43. Assigned to Harper’s crew. Flown overseas by Harper’s crew with 718th Squadron Commander William (Bill) Nosker in December ’43. Crew chief was Dominic Cafarellie. The “Ferry” completed at least 86 sorties and was reported to be still in combat in December ’44. On 16 August ’45 the “Ferry” was salvaged, thus being one of the few original aircraft known to last out the war.

Pictures of Harpers Ferry

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Pg77Top-HarpersFerry-718thSquadron-449thBG-1944

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