Oien Crew

Front Row (L to R): Clyde Chafin (T/G), Vince Mahoney (R/O), Charles Popken (N), Harold A. Oien (P), Justin D. McAnally (B). Back Row (L to R): Paul Russell (CP), Arthur Jean (FE/TT), Julius Carpenter (WG), Noel Bungor (NG), Paul Bumgardner (BG)

  • OIEN, Harold, Pilot
  • RUSSELL, Paul J., Co-Pilot
  • POPKEN, Charles F., Navigator – POW 2/22/44 Bird
  • McANALLY, Justin D., Bombardier
  • JEAN, Arthur H., Flight/Eng.
  • BUMGARDNER, Paul R, Ball Gunner
  • BUNGER, Loren E., Nose Turret
  • CARPENTER, Raymond, E., Waist Gunner
  • CHAFIN, Clyde C., Tail Turret
  • MAHONEY, Vincent F., Lt Waist

716th Squadron

716logoJohn 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.

Stinky The B.T.O.

Stinky

(Big Time Operator) An original cadre ship acquired 9 November ’43 and assigned to Oien’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. The “B. T. O.” with Browning’s crew aboard blew up when hit by flak bursts and FW-190 and ME-109 aircraft as she was returning from the 22 February ’44 mission to Regensburg, Germany. 3 KIA 7 POW. MACR 2636.

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