Standing (L to R): Cornelius Reisdorf (CP); Warren Stewart (P); Roland Rickett (N); Samuel Goldenberg (B). Front Row (L to R): Paul Hadley; Richard Bach; John Bash; Eugene Ward; Jack Faulhaber; Lucius Hamel.
- STEWART, Warren A., Pilot – EVD 26 Jul 44 – Bills
- REISDORF, Cornelius A., Co-Pilot
- RICKERT, Roland D., Navigator
- GOLDENBERG, Samuel, Bombardier – WIA 4/23/44 D.A.Carter
- WARD, Eugene A., Flight/Eng.
- BACH, Richard P., Sr, Tail Gunner – KIA Jan 14 44 Pickard
- BASH, John E., Ball Turret
- FAULHABER, Jack C., POW- 22 Feb 44, Woodle crew (719)
- HAMEL, Lucius J., Lt Waist
- HADLEY, Paul F., Nose / Tail Gunner after Bach KIA
Eugene Ward
My father, Eugene Ward, flew 53 missions over Italy. He tells us about his experiences often. His stories are some of my favorite memories. I would like to know when & where this year’s reunion is.
Cindy Keen-Ward
Granite City, IL
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.
Everybody’s Baby
An original cadre ship acquired on 25 October ’43 at Bruning, Nebraska, and assigned to Stewart’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Crew chief was Joseph F. Skalak. Her nose art was painted by Tom Pacette, a 718th mechanic, who copied her name and picture from a Franklin Aircraft Magazine engine advertisement. After several combat missions, she was severely damaged in a taxiing accident on 25 March ’44, with her right main strut rupturing and the aircraft deemed irreparable, thus becoming one of the first aircraft to be salvaged for combat spare parts.
MACR 3174
MACR 7340
41-28600
42-7756
An original cadre ship acquired on 25 October ‘43 at Bruning, Nebraska, and assigned to Stewart’s crew who flew her overseas in December ‘43. Crew chief was Joseph F. Skalak. Her nose art was painted by Tom Pacette, a 718th mechanic, who copied her name and picture from a Franklin Aircraft Magazine engine advertisement. After several combat missions, she was severely damaged in a taxiing accident on 25 March ‘44, with her right main strut rupturing and the aircraft deemed irreparable, thus becoming one of the first aircraft to be salvaged for combat spare parts.
Pictures of Everybody’s Baby
