Kuntz Crew 616

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Kuntz Crew 616

Arrival in North Pickenham, England - April 24, 1944

Back row, left to right...
•	Jerry Kuntz, pilot
•	Gene Kollinger, bombardier
•	Eugene "Pop" Osborn, crew chief
•	Kent Dickson, co-pilot
•	Andy Gall, navigator

Front row, left to right...
•	Marion Thomas Kelley, Sr, nose gunner
•	Don Wehagen, ball turret gunner
•	John Kristynik, engineer
•	Clyde Dorsey, radio operator
•	Arthur Suter, waist gunner

Sgt John H Simpson, gunner, is not in the photo.

Kuntz Crew 616 Summary

The Kuntz Crew began training together as crew 100 at the CCTS (Crew Combat Training School) based in Casper, Wyoming. They were transferred to the 492nd on 28 Jan 44 at Alamogordo, New Mexico. They were untouched by the Alamogordo Shuffle and remained intact as a unit. They were assigned to the 856th BS, designated as Crew 616.

2nd Lt James Kuntz signed out for a B-24J, 44-40142 which they nicknamed SKNAPPY. The name was inspired by combining Kuntz's girlfriend's lastname, Knappenburger, and a snapping turtle. The noseart had a flying turtle jumping over the name SKNAPPY.

In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground crew chief S/Sgt Osborne flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Simpson onto the Queen Elizabeth.

By our count Lt Kuntz flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 616 for a total of 4 missions. We can't be positive if there were any other personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the bombardier could have missed some of the pathfinder-led missions.

On 24 May 44, Kuntz fell off the wing while he was inspecting his ship for post-mission damage. Although his injury wasn't serious, it did ground him from duty until after the group was disbanded. In August he was transferred to the 801st/492nd BG, 859th BS. During the following month he was reassigned back to the 856th BS.

Lt Elvern Seitzinger, the co-pilot on Val Preda Crew 601, was promoted back to pilot and replaced Kuntz as aircraft commander for Crew 616. He led the Crew on 9 more missions plus an aborted one, bringing the Crew's total to 13. To follow the Crew's history, see the Seitzinger Crew link on the right.

The links to the right for the In Das Hornissen Nest story and Mission 34 to Politz are there to reflect the war experience of most of the Kuntz Crew 616 who continued on with the Seitzinger Crew 616. The link to the 801st/492nd website is there to reflect the war experience of Lt Elvern Seitzinger.

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