Front row (L to R): Marion Messenger (P); Francis Davis (CP); Raymond Zoeller (N); Benjamin Caffey (B). Back row (L to R): George Henry (F/E-TTG); Thomas Cronin (NG); Donald Peterson (BG); Joseph Cuccia (TG); Anthony Massino (RWG); Harold Tegtmeier (LWG).
- MESSENGER, Marion J. “Pappy”, Pilot
- DAVIS, Francis H. Jim, Co-Pilot
- ZOELLER, Raymond A., Navigator
- CAFFEY, Benjamin F., Bombardier
- HENRY, George Clay, Flight/Eng
- CRONIN, Thomas G., R/Op
- MASSINO, Anthony C., Waist Gunner
- PETERSON, Donald A., Ball Gunner
- TEGTMEIER, Harold C., Gunner
- CUCCIA, Joseph J., Tail 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.
Devil’s Henchmen
An original cadre ship acquired 18 October ’43 and assigned to Messenger’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. One of her photos reveals that she got in at least 51 missions. Ship #63 lasted out the war and was salvaged 23 June ’45.
