Posted By Roger on September 23, 2006 at 19:04:02:
In Reply to: Re: Request info B-24 Rugged Buggy posted by Vic Walzel on September 23, 2006 at 09:41:30:
: : Requesting any information available about
: : B-24 "Rugged Buggy" and her crew. Would enjoy
: : corresponding with any crew members or family
: : of crew members. My father was a waist gunner
: : and was shot down on May 1943 mission.
: Hi John,
: 41-23819 "Rugged buggy" of the 44th Bomb Group, 68 Squadron, failed to return due to flak and German fighters and crashed a Kiel, Germany on 14 May 1943. MACR 15509 covering this plane is available from Lynn.Gamma@MAXWELL.AF.MIL at no charge.
: Crew list:
: Lt Malcom C. Howell (P) KIA
: Maj James E. O'Brien (CP) POW
: Lt John D. Bledsoe (N) POW
: M/Sgt Norius Cristan (B) POW
: S/Sgt Kenneth C. McCabe (TT) POW
: T/Sgt Ralph C. Ernst (RO) POW
: S/Sgt Harold D. Van Oyen (BT) KIA
: S/Sgt John W. Husselton (LW) POW
: S/Sgt James A. McCammoud (RW) POW
: S/Sgt Richard M. Castillo (TG) POW
: Vic
:
Your father flew mostly with the O'brien crew but also flew with the Diehl Jr. crew. He flew a total of 11 missions. He went down in Rugged Buggy, but also flew in Black Jack and Hitler's Nightmare.
Roger