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Gossett Crew 708
 Gossett Crew 708
Back row, left to right...
(unidentified)
(unidentified)
(unidentified)
(unidentified)
Front row, left to right...
(unidentified)
(unidentified)
Gerald Campbell, top turret gunner
(unidentified)
(unidentified)
Gossett Crew 708 Summary
The Gossett Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1639 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 708.
1st Lt Ernest Gossett signed out for a B-24J, 44-40173. Their ship was nicknamed, ERNIE'S BEAVERS. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their Squadron Commander, Capt Heaton flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Doell onto the Queen Elizabeth.
By our count, Lt Gossett flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 708 for a total of 21 missions. We can't be positive of all of the personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the regular bombardier could have missed some of the earlier pathfinder missions.
On their final mission with the 492nd they served as the Group's command ship with Maj Heaton commanding the attack on a V-1 rocket base (aka Crossbow) near Mery-sur-Oise, France.
The Gossett Crew 708 was transferred on 10 Aug 44 to the 44th BG, 506th BS.
More Info
Gossett CCT 1639
44-40173
ERNIE'S BEAVERS
44-40201
SILVER CHIEF
44-40157
LUCKY LASS
44-40106
42-51121
NIAGARA
SPECIAL
42-51171
ELI SWOF, Jr
44-40072
B.T.O.
42-50370
42-50313
WABASH
CANNON BALL
44-40168
TEQUILA DAISY
44-40071
SWEAT BOX
Links to missions
flown by the
Gossett Crew 708
are below in their
Mission Record
44th BG
website
Original Roster for
Gossett Crew 708
Position / MOS Name Rank Serial # Notes
Pilot
MOS 1024
Gossett, Ernest E 1st Lt O-442695 Promoted Capt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Co-Pilot
MOS 1022
Burchard, Charles Jr 2nd Lt O-699357 Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Navigator
MOS 1034
Wright, George D Jr 2nd Lt O-703840 Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Bombardier
MOS 1035
Miceli, Sam S 2nd Lt O-694470 Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Engineer
MOS 748
Bradford, James D S/Sgt 34601697 Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Radio
Operator
MOS 757
Opet, Stephen J S/Sgt 15394645 Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Top Turret
Gunner
MOS 748
Campbell, Gerald M Sgt 33459923 Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Gunner
MOS 611
Schreiber, James V Sgt 16078595 Promoted S/Sgt
Flew w/Kuecker Crew R-07
Reassigned back to Gossett
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Gunner
MOS 612
Harris, George W Pvt 14182435 15 May; promoted Pfc
1 Jun; promoted Sgt
15 Jun; promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
Nose Gunner
MOS 611
Doell, James R Sgt 12032042 Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug 44, transferred to 44th BG, 506th BS
  Others Who Flew with Gossett Crew 708
Squadron
Commander
MOS 1024
Heaton, Donald H Maj O-23705 857th Squadron Commander
Flew to England w/crew
29 Jul; Flew as Mission Commander
Navigator
MOS 1034
Therme, David L 1st Lt O-701506 From Kuecker Crew R-07
10 Aug; transferred w/crew as extra man to 44th BG, 506th BS
Gossett Crew 708
492nd BG Mission Record
857th Bomb Squadron
Crew
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Date
Aircraft
Serial
Number
Primary Target Mission Notes
01
 Link to Mission 01 page 01
11 May 44 44-40201 Mulhouse, France Target: Marshalling yard
02
 Link to Mission 03 page 03
13 May 44   Tutow, Germany Target: Airfield
03
 Link to Mission 04 page 04
15 May 44 44-40157 Siracourt, France Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
04
 Link to Mission 06 page 06
21 May 44   Siracourt, France Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
05
 Link to Mission 07 page 07
23 May 44   Avord, France Target: Airfield
06
 Link to Mission 11 page 11
28 May 44 44-40173 Zeitz, Germany Target: Oil refinery
07
 Link to Mission 13 page 13
30 May 44 44-40106 Rotenburg, Germany Target: Air depot
08
 Link to Mission 20 page 20
8 Jun 44 42-51121 Angers, France Target: Railroad junction
09
 Link to Mission 21 page 21
10 Jun 44 42-51121 Boulogne, France Target: Airfield
10
 Link to Mission 23 page 23
11 Jun 44 44-40106 La Possonniere, France Target: Marshalling yard
11
 Link to Mission 25 page 25
12 Jun 44 42-51121 Dreux, France Target: Airfield
12
 Link to Mission 26 page 26
14 Jun 44 42-51171 Emmerich, Germany Target: Oil refinery
13
 Link to Mission 31 page 31
18 Jun 44 44-40072 Luneburg, Germany Target: Airfield
Bombed Wesermunde
14
 Link to Mission 37 page 37
22 Jun 44 42-50370 Crepy, France Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
A/C borrowed from 859th BS
15
 Link to Mission 39 page 39
23 Jun 44 42-50313 Juvincourt, France Target: Airfield
16
 Link to Mission 40b page 40b
25 Jun 44 44-40157 Roye, France Target: Peronne Airfield
17
 Link to Mission 45 page 45
6 Jul 44 44-40168 Kiel, Germany Target: Shipyard
Led C Section w/Byrne
Bombed Kepplin
18
 Link to Mission 49 page 49
12 Jul 44 44-40173 Munich, Germany Target: Railroad station
19
 Link to Mission 56 page 56
24 Jul 44 44-40071 St Lo area, France Target: Tactical
Led B Section
20
 Link to Mission 58 page 58
29 Jul 44 44-40173 Oslebhausen, Germany Target: Oil refinery
21
 Link to Mission 61 page 61
3 Aug 44 44-40173 Mery-sur-Oise, France Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
Lead Ship w/Heaton
Damaged by flak
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Page last modified Tuesday, October 4, 2011.