- THIEME, Jr., William Michael, Pilot – KIA 4 April Thieme
- O’ROURKE, Edward J., Co-Pilot – KIA 4 April Thieme
- MALRAIT, Gilbert A, Navigator – KIA 4 April Thieme
- BECK, Francis L., Bombardier – KIA 4 April Thieme
- EBERT, Mark J., Flight/Eng – KIA 4 April Thieme
- HIPPE, Ingmar, Gunner – POW 4 April Thieme
- LANNON, Louis N., Gunner – POW 4 April Thieme
- BLAKELY, Guy E., INJ 15 Dec 43 Thieme/Hayes
- EDGAR, Roger E., Rt. Waist – EVD 15 Jan 44 Frones
- VAAGEN, Carl, INJ 15 Dec 43 Thieme/Hayes
719th Squadron
David Councill was the original C.O. from July ‘43 to 8 December ’43 when he and his crew were lost during the movement overseas. Most of the 719th officer and NCO staff were among the 14 men lost aboard Councill’s aircraft. This placed the 719th in dire straits in January ’44. Arthur B. Swan took over as C.O. and began sorting things out in January ’44. He served as the C. O. until he received a serious combat wound on 23 April ‘44. Charles E. Harton from the 717th Squadron was selected to be the acting commander until Art Swan could reassume the position. When Swan was promoted to higher echelon, Harton continued as the acting C.O. until July ‘44. Harold R. Loughran, a lead crew pilot from the 717th became the 719th C.O. in July ‘44 and remained through September ’44. In September ‘44, William Allen became the C.O. and remained so until May ‘45.
Maui Maid
An original cadre ship acquired 10 November ’43. Flown overseas by Colonel Alkire in December ’43, becoming the first 449th ship to land in Italy on 18 December ’43. Named for Colonel Alkire’s wife who was Hawaiian born. The aircraft was scrapped after receiving a crushed nose due to running into an embankment on 30 January ’44 with Thiemes’ crew aboard.
Betty Ann
An original cadre ship acquired 20 October ’43 and assigned to Thieme’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Initially this aircraft was named “The Battlin’ Betty Ann.” Named for Mrs. Betty Ann Thieme, the pilot’s wife. “Betty Ann” never reached Grottaglie. She was one of the three original 719th aircraft lost during the Group’s movement overseas in December ’43. She was being flown over by Thieme’s crew with the Squadron Operations Officer Captain Hays as a passenger. The fourteen men aboard were forced to bail out over the North African mountains under severe icing conditions on 15 Dec 43. All landed safely except Captain Hays, whose chute failed to open.
MACR 3978
41-28623
An original cadre ship acquired 10 November ‘43. Flown overseas by Colonel Alkire in December ’43, becoming the first 449th ship to land in Italy on 18 December ‘43. Named for Colonel Alkire’s wife who was Hawaiian born. The aircraft was scrapped after receiving a crushed nose due to running into an embankment on 30 January ‘44 with Thiemes’ crew aboard.
Pictures of Maui Maid
41-29215
An original cadre ship acquired 20 October ’43 and assigned to Thieme’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. Initially this aircraft was named “The Battlin’ Betty Ann.” Named for Mrs. Betty Ann Thieme, the pilot’s wife. “Betty Ann” never reached Grottaglie. She was one of the three original 719th aircraft lost during the Group’s movement overseas in December ‘43. She was being flown over by Thieme’s crew with the Squadron Operations Officer Captain Hays as a passenger. The fourteen men aboard were forced to bail out over the North African mountains under severe icing conditions on 15 Dec 43. All landed safely except Captain Hays, whose chute failed to open.
41-28655
Early replacement ship arrivign 2 Feb 44 and downed by fighters 4 Apr 44 over Bucharest with Thieme’s crew aboard. Possibly named “Sky Bandit”. 8 KIA 3 POW. MACR 3978.
