Front Row (L to R): Ernest Johnson (B); Robert Knapp (P); Albert Bridgham (CP); Walter Kaess (N). Standing: Charles Griffen (WG); Charles Anderson (RO); Cornelius Moriarty (G); Dennis Wood (FE); Daniel Buda (TG) Lloyd Wright (BG).
- KNAPP, Robert J, Pilot – KIA Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- BRIDGHAM, Albert F., Co-Pilot
- JOHNSON, Ernest J., Bombardier – POW Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- KAESS, Walter A., Navigator – POW Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- WOOD, Dennis H., Ft/Eng – KIA Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- ANDERSON, Charles W, R/OP- KIA Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- MORIARTY, Cornelius F., Gunner – POW Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- GRIFFIN, Charles C., Gunner – KIA Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- BUDA, Daniel, Gunner – POW Feb 25 44 KNAPP
- WRIGHT, Lloyd T., Gunner – KIA Feb 25 44 KNAPP
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.
Dumbo
An original cadre ship acquired 15 October ’43 and assigned to Knapp’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crashlanded at Bari, Italy, on 14 January ’44 returning from Mostar, Yugoslavia, with Kendall as pilot on his first mission and with Knapp’s crew aboard. Ship salvaged same date.
MACR 2617
41-29194
Acquired into the 449th from the 451st Bomb Group on 8 February ’44. Downed over Germany with Knapp’s crew aboard on the 25 February ’44 mission to Regensburg. 6 KIA 4 POW. MACR 2617.
Pictures of Shack? Wolf!
42-7741
An original cadre ship acquired 15 October ’43 and assigned to Knapp’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crashlanded at Bari, Italy, on 14 January ’44 returning from Mostar, Yugoslavia, with Kendall as pilot on his first mission and with Knapp’s crew aboard. Ship salvaged same date.
