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Back row, left to right...
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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Front row, left to right...
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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Gerald Campbell, top turret gunner
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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Gossett Crew 708 Summary
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Gossett Crew 708 was transferred on 10 Aug 44 to the 44th BG, 506th BS.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Gossett Crew 708
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| Position |
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 |
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Others Who Flew with Gossett Crew 708
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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 |
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Gossett Crew 708
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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11 May 44 |
44-40201 |
Mulhouse, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
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Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield |
| 03 |
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15 May 44 |
44-40157 |
Siracourt, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 04 |
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21 May 44 |
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Siracourt, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 05 |
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23 May 44 |
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Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 06 |
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28 May 44 |
44-40173 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 07 |
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30 May 44 |
44-40106 |
Rotenburg, Germany |
Target: Air depot |
| 08 |
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8 Jun 44 |
42-51121 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction |
| 09 |
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10 Jun 44 |
42-51121 |
Boulogne, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 10 |
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11 Jun 44 |
44-40106 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 11 |
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12 Jun 44 |
42-51121 |
Dreux, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 12 |
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14 Jun 44 |
42-51171 |
Emmerich, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 13 |
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18 Jun 44 |
44-40072 |
Luneburg, Germany |
Target: Airfield
Bombed Wesermunde |
| 14 |
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22 Jun 44 |
42-50370 |
Crepy, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets)
A/C borrowed from 859th BS |
| 15 |
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23 Jun 44 |
42-50313 |
Juvincourt, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 16 |
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25 Jun 44 |
44-40157 |
Roye, France |
Target: Peronne Airfield |
| 17 |
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6 Jul 44 |
44-40168 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Shipyard
Led C Section w/Byrne
Bombed Kepplin |
| 18 |
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12 Jul 44 |
44-40173 |
Munich, Germany |
Target: Railroad station |
| 19 |
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24 Jul 44 |
44-40071 |
St Lo area, France |
Target: Tactical
Led B Section |
| 20 |
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29 Jul 44 |
44-40173 |
Oslebhausen, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 21 |
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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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