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Back row, left to right...
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Devon Davis, pilot
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George Converse, co-pilot
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Albert Stone, navigator
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Richard O'Brian, bombardier
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Not in the photo...
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Donald York, top turret gunner
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Front row, left to right...
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Chester Dubrowolski, radio operator
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John Black, tail gunner
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Fred Hearn, crew chief
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Robert Lindsey, nose gunner
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Arthur Bourdlais, engineer
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Lemuel Newsom, ball turret gunner
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Davis Crew 704 Summary
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The Davis Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1648 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 704.
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Capt Devon Davis signed out for a B-24J, 44-40137. The Crew nicknamed their ship "WHATSNEXTDOC?" In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their Ground Crew Chief, Sgt Hearn, flew with them, thus bumping Sgt York onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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Shortly after arriving to North Pickenham the crew's engineer, Art Bourdlais, blew an ear drum while on a practice excersise. By the time he recovered, not only his crew had been transferred but the entire group had been disbanded. He was reassigned to the 490th BG, 850th BS, (a B-17 unit) where he became the engineer for one of their Pathfinder crews. He got in 24 combat missions before the war ended.
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By our count Capt Davis flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 704 for a total of 7 missions plus an aborted one. We can't be positive of all of the personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the bombardier could have missed some of the earlier pathfinder missions.
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The Davis Crew 704 was transferred to the 44th BG, 66th BS on 10 June 44. The transfer order shows them with an extra bombardier. Perhaps a pilotage navigator.
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The Davis Crew 704 was replaced by the Testa Crew R-13.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Davis Crew 704
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Davis, Devon M |
Capt |
O-424408 |
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1022 |
Converse, George A |
2nd Lt |
O-702241 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Stone, Albert E |
2nd Lt |
O-704090 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
O'Brian, Richard L |
F/O |
T-123002 |
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Bourdlais, Arthur L |
S/Sgt |
36451407 |
Did not fly any 492nd missions
Hospitalized for blown eardrum
Transferred to 490th BG, 850th BS
Promoted T/Sgt |
Radioman
MOS 757 |
Debrowolski, Chester T |
S/Sgt |
32691747 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Newsom, Lemuel L |
Sgt |
34663544 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Black, John C |
Sgt |
12180960 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Lindsey, Robert O |
Sgt |
34613746 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
York, Donald E |
Sgt |
16089253 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 44th BG, 66th BS |
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Others Who Flew with Davis Crew 704
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Hearn, Fred K |
Sgt |
35531881 |
Flew to England with the crew
27 Jul; MOS 750 changed to 747 |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Keenan, Thomas J |
2nd Lt |
O-694452 |
Obtained from Jaques Crew 909
Transferred to the 44th BG with this crew as an extra bombardier |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Barthlett, Ellis E |
Sgt |
34704052 |
Obtained from replacement pool
Transferred to 44th BG with this crew |
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Davis Crew 704
492nd BG Mission Record
857th 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 |
44-40137 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
Deputy Lead w/Robinson |
| 02 |
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15 May 44 |
44-40137 |
Siracourt, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 03 |
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24 May 44 |
44-40071 |
Melun, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 04 |
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29 May 44 |
44-40071 |
Politz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
Led B Section w/Byrne
Landed at Oulton |
| 05 |
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31 May 44 |
44-40158 |
Brussels, Belgium |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| Abort |
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4 Jun 44 |
42-95177 |
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield
Aborted, uncredited |
| 06 |
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6 Jun 44 |
44-40168 |
Caen, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 07 |
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10 Jun 44 |
44-40168 |
Orleans/Bricy, France |
Target: Airfield |
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