Standing (L to R); Tolman (BG); Hank Schumann (B); Dick Slade (CP); George Mason (P); Bart Healy (n); Willy Williams (FE). Front Row (L to R): Erdman (WG); Walter Ciesla (TG); Ronald Wilsey (RO); Marty Nosal (WG)

  • MASON, George P., Pilot – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • SLADE, Richard J.V, Co-Pilot – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • WILLIAMS, William J., Jr, F/E – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • PINIX, Verne J, Nose Gunner – Radio/Op – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • TOLMAN, Gordon B, Ball Gunner – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • CIESLA, Walter, Tail Gunner – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason
  • NOSAL, Michael J, Rt Waist – EVD 8 Nov 44 Mason

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.

41-29432

A replacement aircraft arrived into the 449th on 1 July ’44. Flying on two engines with the other two barely helping, “My Achin’ Back” made an emergency landing on the beach, near Loreto, Italy, (just south of the German held territory) with Mason’s crew aboard on 12 September ’44 scattering Italian bathers. The ship was recovered by a 15th Air Force maintenance team and subsequently returned to the 449th. Still flyin in Feb 45. Not 42-52434.

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