The lower row are the crew officers, but not in the order named: Earl McLeod (P), Roy L. Ferguson (CP), Harry Mesches (N), and Donald L. Vincent (B). Standing are the remainder of the crew, but again not in the order named: John L. Turner (F/E), Lawrence D. Kirkpatrick (G), Ike J. Dugas (G), Herbert P. Coulton, Jr. (R/O), Leonard V. Pearson (G) and Willis R. Harrell (G).

  • McLEOD, Earl, Pilot
  • FERGUSON, Roy L., Copilot KIA 2/23/44 Wingfield
  • MESCHES, Harry D., Navigator
  • VINCENT, Donald L., Bombardier
  • TURNER, John L., F/E
  • COULTON, Herbert P. Jr, Nose Gunner
  • DUGAS, Ike J, Ball Gunner
  • PEARSON, Leonard V, Tail Gunner
  • HARRELL, William M, Gunner KIA 2/23/44 Wingfield
  • KIRKPATRIK, Lawrence D., Rt Waist Gunner

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.

41-29452

A replacement aircraft that flew its first 449th mission on 17 Feb 44. Reportedly called “Honey on the Moon” by the McLeod crew. No known photo showing this name or nose art. Renamed “Bomb Boogie” in Summer of ’44.

Pictures of Honey on the Moon/Bomb Boogie

HoneyOnTheMoon

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