Crew Included: David Rasbach (P); Elmer Schnackenberg (CP); John Asbury (B); William Gardner (N); John Ronsheim; Harry Herwig; Thomas Hager; Paul Fleming; Robert Bell; Joseph Ieraci.
- RASBACH, David A., Pilot
- SCHNACKENBERG JR., Elmer J., Co-Pilot
- ASBURY, John E, Bombardier
- HERWIG, Harry W., Tail Gunner
- BELL, Robert E., Rt.Waist
- FLEMING, Paul G., F/E UT KIA 30 Jan 44 – Wheeler
- GARDINER, William H., Navigator
- HAGER, Thomas T, Nose gunner
- IERACI, Joseph R., Lt Waist
- RONSHEIM, John N., Ball Gunner – KIA 15 Aug 44 Betzen
718th Squadron
William 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.
Ye Olde Rugged Curse
An original cadre ship acquired 31 October ’43 and assigned to Rasbach’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Caleb Hogshed. Assistant crew chief was Edmund Dickman. As a result of combat damage Rasbach crew made an emergency landing at Foggia on 2 April ’44 returning from a mission to Steyr, Austria. The aircraft was subsequently salvaged.
42-7762
An original cadre ship acquired 31 October ’43 and assigned to Rasbach’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Caleb Hogshed. Assistant crew chief was Edmund Dickman. As a result of combat damage Rasbach crew made an emergency landing at Foggia on 2 April ’44 returning from a mission to Steyr, Austria. The aircraft was subsequently salvaged.
Pictures of Rugged Curse
