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Back row, left to right...
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Raymond Clark co-pilot
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Hugh Shalvoy, pilot
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Chester Napientek, bombardier
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Front row, left to right...
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Robert Downes, tail gunner
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William Williams, engineer
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Paul Perry, ball turret gunner
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Robert Cotey, gunner
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Robert Flood, top turret gunner
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Paul Edwards, radio operator
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Shalvoy Crew 618 Summary
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The Shalvoy Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1646 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. As far as we can tell this crew was left intact with no personnel changes. There are a couple of names and serial numbers on the CCT roster that can't be read. The crew was assigned to the 856th BS, designated as Crew 618.
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2nd Lt Hugh Shalvoy signed out for a B-24J, 44-40087. The ship was given the nickname "SWEET CHARIOT." In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Another navigator, Lt Carroll, flew with them, thus bumping S/Sgt Cotey onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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Lt Shalvoy flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 618 for 1 mission, the Group's maiden mission, on 11 May 44. There were a few factors involved that created a difficulty in trying to locate the primary target. After circling around looking for it the group went off to its secondary target. The bottom line is that the Group had wasted too much time and two of their ships ran out of fuel. The Shalvoy Crew 618 was one of them. They were forced to crashland their plane near Bury St. Edmunds, England.
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Their navigator, 2nd Lt George Metzger, never recovered from his wounds and died two days later. Three others were sent back to the US to recover from their wounds. The other six were patched up and returned to duty.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Shalvoy Crew 618
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Shalvoy, Hugh A |
2nd Lt |
O-803287 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Fractured vertebra and broken arm
Returned to the US for recovery |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Clark, Raymond K |
F/O |
T-123732 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Suffered injuries to face and foot
Treated in the hospital
13 Aug 44, transferred to 801st/492nd BG |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Metzger, George D |
2nd Lt |
O-703285 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Died 13 May 44, from injuries
Buried at Cambridge, F-2-137 |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Napientek, Chester |
2nd Lt |
T-123001 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Recovered in the hospital
Re-assigned to Ogden 606
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS on 3 Jul 44 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Williams, William |
S/Sgt |
38429036 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Suffered multiple leg fractures
Returned to the US for recovery |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Edwards, Paul H |
S/Sgt |
35724163 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Suffered multiple arm fractures
Returned to the US for recovery |
Top Gunner
MOS 748 |
Flood, Robert J |
Sgt |
33567786 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Recovered in the hospital
Promoted S/Sgt
Re-assigned to McMurray Crew 801
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7231
Wall of the Missing, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Perry, Paul J |
Sgt |
31220871 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Recovered in the hospital
Promoted S/Sgt
Re-assigned to Curtis Crew 610
Flew with them on 5 missions
Grounded when Crew 610 was wiped out
Transferred 10 Aug 44, to 36th BS (RCM) |
Tail Gunner
MOS 612 |
Downes, Robert J |
Sgt |
12134086 |
WIA, 11 May 44
Recovered in the hospital
Promoted S/Sgt
Re-assigned to Ogden Crew 606
Transferred 3 Jul 44, to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Cotey, Robert L |
S/Sgt |
17121422 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
WIA, 11 May 44
Recovered in the hospital
Re-assigned to McMurray Crew 801
KIA, 7 Jul 44, MACR 7231
Wall of the Missing, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium |
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Others Who Flew with Shalvoy Crew 618
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Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Carroll, James P |
2nd Lt |
O-084367 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted 1st Lt |
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Shalvoy Crew 618
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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11 May 44 |
44-40087 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lost: ran out of fuel
Crashlanded in the UK
1 KIA, 3 WIA, 6 WIA RTD |
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