Kendall Crew

  • KENDALL, Ben N., Pilot – KIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • PELKEY, Richard C., Co-Pilot
  • McGUIRE, Harry B., Navigator – MIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • HILL, Pershing J., Bombardier – MIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • GANN, Harvey E., Flight/Eng. – POW 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • GROOMS, Given C., Radio/Op. – MIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • GAVALAS, Nick, Waist Gunner – MIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • HERRINGTON, Gerald W., Tail Gunner / Assist Eng- – MIA 30 Jan 44 Kendall
  • LaMARCA, Charles A., Gunner – POW 14 Jan 44 PICKARD
  • THOMPSON, Harold T., Ball Turret – POW 30 Jan 44 Kendall

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.

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