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Back row, left to right...
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(unidentified)
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(unidentified)
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Kenneth A Schwartz, navigator
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Glen R Rosenberry, bombardier
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Front row, left to right...
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Richard E Statham, gunner
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(unidentified)
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Waukeen C Gatlin, gunner
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Elias M Hernandez, gunner
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(unidentified)
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Lowell S Stillflew, engineer
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Murray Crew 709 Summary
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The Murray Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 102 from the 331st CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Casper, Wyoming. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 709.
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2nd Lt Alvin Murray signed out for a B-24J, 42-110151. Their ship was nicknamed, ALVIN. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their Ground Crew Chief, M/Sgt Hruscik flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Statham onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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By our count, Lt Murray flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 709 for a total of 3 missions. We can't be positive if there were any personnel changes on some of their missions.
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They were severely shot up by the Luftwaffe on 19 May 44 during a bombing attack on Brunswick. Immediately one crewmen, Hernandez, was killed in the battle while another, Statham, was wounded. Murray dropped out of formation and gave the order to abandon ship. Three of the crewmen helped their wounded comrade bail out before jumping. Then the ship exploded into a fireball. 6 KIA, 4 POW, MACR 5241.
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Statham, the wounded survivor, had to have his leg removed in a German Hospital. The other three were put into POW camps.
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The plane crashed in a field just outside of Vardeilsen, Germany. Hernandez's body was found just 500 meters from the wreck. However, the bodies of the other five killed were discovered 33 kilometers north of Gottingen. All of the bodies were buried at the Vardeilsen Cemetery. After the war, Hernandez was reburied in the Netherlands American Cemetery. The other five were brought back to the US and given a group burial at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
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The Murray Crew 709 was replaced by the Rasmussen Crew R-02.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Murray Crew 709
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Murray, Alvin M |
2nd Lt |
O-809026 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1022 |
Anderson, Kermit W |
2nd Lt |
O-692846 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Schwartz, Kenneth A |
2nd Lt |
O-691815 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5241, Stalag Luft III |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Rosenberry, Glen R |
2nd Lt |
O-753033 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Not in NARA AAD POW file |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Stillflew, Lowell S |
S/Sgt |
16076369 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
McMullen, Wesley F |
S/Sgt |
31196750 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Gatlin, Waukeen C |
S/Sgt |
18129740 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5241, Stalag Luft IV |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Breckenridge, Clyde H |
Sgt |
32488159 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Arlington National Cemetery
We've seen his name misspelled as Glyde |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Hernandez, Elias M |
S/Sgt |
34428503 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
Buried at Netherlands American Cemetery, T-12-13 |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Statham, Richard E |
Sgt |
14056752 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5241
WIA, lost wounded leg |
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Others Who Flew with Murray Crew 709
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Crew
Chief
MOS 750 |
Hruscik, Anthony G |
M/Sgt |
06907651 |
Flew to England with the crew |
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Murray Crew 709
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 |
42-110151 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
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Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield |
| 03 |
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19 May 44 |
42-110151 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Lost 6 KIA, 4 POW, MACR 5241 |
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