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Back row, left to right...
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Thomas Graham, pilot
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Charles Bunnell, co-pilot
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Bill "Willie" Sparks, navigator
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Miles Schaus, bombardier
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Front row, left to right...
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Westmoreland Kerr, gunner
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James Sims, tail gunner
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Charles Wengel, top turret gunner
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Jack Mondiek, engineer
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Joseph O'Brian, radio operator
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Frederick Britt, ball turret gunner
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Graham Crew 614 Summary
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The Graham Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1638 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 856th BS, designated as Crew 614.
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Lt Thomas Graham signed out for a B-24J, 44-40227. They named their plane FOUR BEERS DOC.
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In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground crew chief S/Sgt Spittler flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Sims onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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By our count, Lt Graham flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 614 for a total of 17 missions plus an aborted one. We don't know if there were personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the bombardier could have missed some of the pathfinder-led missions.
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On 19 July, Graham was promoted to became the squadron's Assistant Operations Officer. The Crew was taken over by Lt Powers, the co-pilot from the Velarde Crew 615. The rest of the Crew's record is shown on the Powers Crew 614 page.
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When the Group was disbanded in August, the Powers Crew 614 was transferred to the 801st/492nd BG.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Graham Crew 614 |
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Graham, Thomas R |
1st Lt |
O-724412 |
Promoted Capt
Replaced by Powers
Squadron Assistant Operations Officer
Acting Squadron Operations Officer |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Bunnell, Charles D |
2nd Lt |
O-699356 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Sparks, Bill "Willie" D |
2nd Lt |
O-704571 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Schaus, Miles |
2nd Lt |
O-694478 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Mondiek, Jack W |
S/Sgt |
15066247 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
O'Brian, Joseph D |
Sgt |
17051963 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Wengel, Charles H |
Sgt |
11091683 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Britt, Frederick A |
Sgt |
19073250 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 801st/492nd, 857th BS |
Gunner
MOS 757 |
Kerr, Westmoreland |
S/Sgt |
18115099 |
No other records found on him |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Sims, James E |
Sgt |
34644842 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
No other records found on him |
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Others Who Flew with Graham Crew 614
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Spittler, Ralph F |
S/Sgt |
15070946 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted M/Sgt |
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Graham Crew 614
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
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Crew
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Number |
Group
Mission
Date |
Aircraft
Serial
Number |
Primary Target |
Mission Notes |
| 01 |
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12 May 44 |
44-40227 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
Aborted deep into enemy territory |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
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Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield |
| 03 |
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19 May 44 |
44-40067 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 04 |
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23 May 44 |
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Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 05 |
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28 May 44 |
44-40227 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
Bombed Saalfeld |
| 06 |
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31 May 44 |
44-40227 |
Brussels, Belgium |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 07 |
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02 Jun 44 |
44-40227 |
Berck-sur-Mer, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 08 |
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04 Jun 44 |
44-40227 |
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| Abort |
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06 Jun 44 |
44-40227 |
Normandy, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast
Aborted, uncredited |
| 09 |
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06 Jun 44 |
44-40150 |
Vire, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 10 |
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08 Jun 44 |
44-40227 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction |
| 11 |
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10 Jun 44 |
44-40227 |
Boulogne, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 12 |
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17 Jun 44 |
44-40290 |
Tours, France |
Target: Airfield
A/C borrowed from 857th BS |
| 13 |
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20 Jun 44 |
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Fiefs, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 14 |
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22 Jun 44 |
42-50555 |
Crepy, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 15 |
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23 Jun 44 |
42-50555 |
Juvincourt, France |
Target: Airfield
Led B Section |
| 16 |
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27 Jun 44 |
42-50555 |
Creil, France |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lead Ship |
| 17 |
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06 Jul 44 |
42-50456 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Shipyard
Led B Section |
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