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Individual crewmen in photo have yet to be identified
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Grettum Crew 714 Summary
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The Grettum Crew 714 was one of the original crews of the 492nd that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1633 from the 330th CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. No personnel changes were made at that time. They were assigned to the 857th BS, designated as Crew 714.
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Capt Grettum was assigned B-24J 44-40072. The crew nicknamed it the "B.T.O." (Big Time Operator). They flew their assigned ship to England via the southern route. Sgt Preston was sent over on the Queen Elizabeth in order to make room for their ground crew chief, T/Sgt Schillen.
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Crew 714 only flew one mission under Capt Grettum. He was reassigned to serve in the staff command. 2nd Lt Arthur Nelson, the co-pilot from the George Haag Crew 706, took over the crew.
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By our count, Nelson took Crew 714 on 25 more missions with the 492nd. We don't know if there were any substitutions on any of the missions, nor do we know if the bombardier was left behind on any of the pathfinder missions. But this crew was still together when they transferred to the 448th Bomb Group, 713th squadron, on 10 Aug 44. See Nelson Crew 714.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Grettum Crew 714
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Grettum, Robert B |
Capt |
O-427723 |
Promoted to staff
Replaced by Nelson w/G Haag Crew 706 |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Bastien, Charles R |
2nd Lt |
O-702218 |
Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Woods, Lee J |
2nd Lt |
O-703839 |
Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Schultz, Robert G |
2nd Lt |
O-695540 |
Promoted 1st Lt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Carter, Robert N |
S/Sgt |
39278692 |
Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Radioman
MOS 757 |
Conroy, William J |
S/Sgt |
35585394 |
Promoted T/Sgt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Tracey, Robert E |
Sgt |
16152896 |
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Kaiser, Alfred G |
Sgt |
38394572 |
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Kennedy, Cletus L |
S/Sgt |
16053455 |
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Preston, Donald E |
Sgt |
12174207 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
10 Aug; transferred to 448th BG, 713 BS |
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Others Who Flew with Grettum Crew 714
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Schillen, Mathias H |
T/Sgt |
16036712 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted M/Sgt |
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Grettum Crew 714
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 |
44-40072 |
Mulhouse |
Target: marshalling yard. |
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