U S Army Air Force/8th Air Force/2nd Air Division/14th Bomb Wing/492nd Bomb Group (Heavy)
 492ndBombGroup.com home
« Back
follow the 492nd
on
Stanhope Crew 710
Stanhope Crew 710 Summary
The Stanhope Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1658 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 710.
Capt Harold Stanhope signed out for a B-24J, 44-40168. Their ship was nicknamed TEQUILA DAISY. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Two of the men, Lt Graven and Sgt Bell, took the Queen Elizabeth over in order to make way for Lt Pittman, the Assistant Squadron Operations Officer, and their ground Crew Chief, M/Sgt Johanson.
By our count, Capt Stanhope flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 710 for a total of 6 missions, plus an aborted one. We can't be positive if there were any personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the regular bombardier could have missed an earlier pathfinder mission.
When the crew was transferred out, there were some changes in the roster. One change for sure was in the co-pilot position. Lt Keeler had gotten in hot water with Col Snavely. As a result, he was demoted from pilot and reassigned to this departing crew as co-pilot. Lt Graven was sent to the G Haag Crew 706.
The Stanhope Crew 710 was transferred to the 44th BG, 66th BS on 10 Jun 44 for Lead Ship/Pathfinder training. They were replaced by the Perry Crew R-21.
More Info
( No photos yet )
Stanhope CCT 1658
44-40168
TEQUILA DAISY
44-40106
44-40113
GAMBLIN' LADY
44-40136
SILVER WITCH
Links to missions
flown by the
Stanhope Crew 710
are below in their
Mission Record
44th BG
website
Original Roster for
Stanhope Crew 710
Position / MOS Name Rank Serial # Notes
Pilot
MOS 1024
Stanhope, Harold D Capt O-426440 Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024
Graven, Thomas A 2nd Lt O-702268 Went to England on the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted 1st Lt
Reassigned to Haag Crew 706
Transferred 10 Aug 44, to the 44th BG
Some records has name as Gavin
Navigator
MOS 1034
Whitsitt, William H 2nd Lt O-688194 Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Bombardier
MOS 1035
Lee, Archie A 2nd Lt O-703673 Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Engineer
MOS 748
Muldoon, Thomas J S/Sgt 16149082 Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Radioman
MOS 757
Muldoon, Louis J S/Sgt 36566084 Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Gunner
MOS 611
Petelle, Edward H Sgt 16134879 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Gunner
MOS 612
Veazey, William C Sgt 6967345 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
Gunner
MOS 748
White, Hugh B Sgt 14182573 Promoted S/Sgt
Not sure if he transferred with the crew
Gunner
MOS 611
Bell, John R Sgt 38012117 Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG
  Others Who Flew with Stanhope Crew 710
Staff Officer
MOS 1024
Pittman, Ray L 1st Lt O-431304 857th Assistant Squadron Operations Officer
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted Capt
Crew Chief
MOS 752
Johanson, Karl M/Sgt 6734457 Flew to England with the crew
Seen name as Johansson
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024
Keeler, William J 1st Lt O-805844 Obtained from Keeler Crew 918
Demoted from pilot to co-pilot
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG with this crew as an extra man
Bombardier
MOS 1035
Lofdahl, Charles W 1st Lt O-668713 Staff Bombardier with the 856th
Transferred 10 Jun 44, to 44th BG with this crew as an extra man
Stanhope Crew 710
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 44-40106 Mulhouse, France Target: Marshalling yard
02
 Link to Mission 03 page 03
13 May 44 44-40168 Tutow, Germany Target: Airfield
03
 Link to Mission 08 page 08
24 May 44 44-40113 Melun, France Target: Airfield
Led B Section w/Byrne
04
 Link to Mission 10 page 10
27 May 44 44-40168 Saarbrucken, Germany Target: Marshalling yard
Abort
 Link to Mission 16 page 16
4 Jun 44 44-40168 Avord, France Target: Airfield
Led B Section w/Byrne
Aborted, uncredited
05
 Link to Mission 17 page 17
6 Jun 44 44-40136 Normandy, France Target: D-Day invasion coast
06
 Link to Mission 20 page 20
8 Jun 44 44-40168 Angers, France Target: Railroad junction
492ndBombGroup.com — an Arnett Institute project
Page last modified Sunday, January 3, 2010.