Standing (L to R): Ken Kinsinger (P); John Murphy (CP); John Miller (N); Stanley Steinkamp (B); George Wingard (FE). Front Row (L to R): Gordon Adams (BG); Dean Bebee (AG); Harold Singleton (NG); George Drude (TG); Isador Seigel (RO)
Standing (L to R): Bud Howard, Group Navigator; Col. Gent, Group Commander; Ken Kinsinger, 716th crew pi¬lot; Norman Kohmescher, 716th Squadron staff bombardier; Bob Levenson, 716th navigator on Drinan’s crew, as assistant lead navigator in the nose turret; Dick Shlomberg, Radar/Navigator. Bottom row (L to R): Gordon Adams (BG); George Wingard (F/E); George Drude (TG); Dean Bebee (WG) and Isadore Feigel (R/O-WG). [Lead Crew For The 2nd Presidential Unit Citation Mission]
- KINSINGER, Ken E., Pilot
- MURPHY, John D, Co-Pilot – POW 26 Aug 44 Rye/Murphy
- MILLER, John W., Navigator
- STEINKAMP, Stanley A, Bombardier
- WINGARD, JR, George F., Flight/Eng.
- SEIGEL, Isadore B, R/Op
- ADAMS, Gordon B, Ball Gunner
- BEBEE, Dean F., Gunner
- DRUDE, George F., Tail Gunner
- SINGLETON, Harold J, Nose Gunner
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.
The Wise Virgin
An original cadre ship acquired 28 October ’43 and assigned to Kinerd’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. This ship, with Kinerd’s crew aboard, suffered severe combat damage on the mission of 22 February ’44 to Regensburg, Germany. The crew managed to keep her airborne until they reached southern Italy where they bailed out just north of Bari. Kinerd was injured during the bailout and was subsequently returned to U.S. Remainder of the crew was returned to combat duty. No MACR.
MACR 10389
44-40331
A replacement ship received into the 449th on 26 April ’44 after being flown overseas from Hamilton AAFB, CA, by Kinsinger’s crew. “Silver Babe” was the first all-aluminum, silver-colored ship in the 449th versus the olive drab ships. Some crews thought the silver ships would be more attractive to fighters and did not like flying them. Crew chief was Sgt. Arthur Friedman. The “Babe” crashed in the mountains of Yugoslavia after suffering heavy flak damage over the oil refinery at Moosbierbaum, Austria on 11 December ’44. Marrone’s crew all successfully bailed out and were subsequently returned by the Yugoslavian Partisans on 5 Jan ’45. 9 EVD. MACR 10389.
Pictures of Silver Babe
41-28616
An original cadre ship acquired 28 October ‘43 and assigned to Kinerd’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. This ship, with Kinerd’s crew aboard, suffered severe combat damage on the mission of 22 February ’44 to Regensburg, Germany. The crew managed to keep her airborne until they reached southern Italy where they bailed out just north of Bari. Kinerd was injured during the bailout and was subsequently returned to U.S. Remainder of the crew was returned to combat duty. No MACR.
Pictures of The Wise Virgin
41-29274
A replacement ship arriving 20 Mar 44. Kinerd’s co-pilot, Dacey, became crew pilot of this ship in the 716th Squadron. This aircraft completed at least 33 sorties into the fall of ’44. Disposition unknown.
Pictures of The Wise Virgin II
42-41023
Probable utility ship, ex 98th BG, 314th Squadron. Had taxi accident with Dacey as pilot. See A0655/762-3
Coral Princess
