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Back row, left to right...
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Charles Arnett, pilot
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Lucian Stewart, co-pilot
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Ernie Gavitt, navigator
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Charlie Vergos, bombardier
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Front row, left to right...
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Arthur Oakes, nose gunner
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Jack Burton, tail gunner
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Jim Easley, engineer, right waist gunner
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Bill Lindopp, ball turret gunner
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Don Pierce, radio operator, left waist gunner
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Uriel Robertson, top turret gunner
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Arnett Crew 717 Summary
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The Arnett crew was assembled in September 1943 at the assignment center in Salt Lake City, Utah. They immediately proceeded by rail to Tucson, Arizona, to the 32nd CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) at Davis-Monthan Air Field. They were designated as CCTS crew 1158 (see training link to the right). On 9 Jan 44 they were transferred to the 492nd BG in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where they were assigned to the 857th BS and designated as Crew 717.
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Lt Arnett signed out for B-24J 44-40171 which was named the BOOMERANG by the crew. No nose art was ever painted. In April 1944, they flew the Boomerang to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Lt Byrne, the Squadron Operations Officer, accompanied them, thus bumping Sgt Oakes onto the Queen Elizabeth. They were delayed getting to England by a stick of chewing gum. While they were refueling in Brazil, a stick of gum fell out of S/Sgt Easley's shirt pocket right into one of the tanks. It took the better part of a week before the mechanics were able to get it out.
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They were the last crew to arrive at North Pickenham, on 30 April 44. After they touched down, they were met with excitement as their arrival meant that the 492nd had become the first bomb group in history to fly over without losing any planes. That says a lot, since they were one of the last groups to arrive.
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This crew flew a total of 3 missions. Lt Briggs flew with them on their first mission. Since their third mission was led by a Pathfinder plane, F/O Vergos, the crew's bombardier, was left behind.
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As the crew was approaching their target over Brunswick, Germany, they were caught without fighter protection and were shot up by the GAF. They were forced to drop out of formation and try to return to England. The two engines they had lost couldn't be feathered, making the trip to base more difficult. Just as soon as they entered the channel, they lost a third engine, forcing them to return to the German occupied Dutch coast for an emergency landing, during which Sgt Robertson was killed. The rest of the crew were quickly taken prisoner. The officers were taken to Stalag Luft III, while the enlisted men all went to Stalag Luft IV.
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In the aftermath, F/O Vergos was orphaned. Later he was given the job of Assistant Gunnery Officer. We don't know if he flew any more missions with the 492nd. When the Group disbanded he was transferred to the 445th BG. He was KIA on 27 Sep 44 with the Elder crew. MACR 9387.
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The Arnett crew 717 was replaced by the Kuecker Crew, replacement crew number 7 for the 492nd.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Arnett Crew 717
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Arnett, Charles W |
2nd Lt |
O-810985 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft III. |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1022 |
Stewart, Lucian D |
2nd Lt |
O-815010 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft III. |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Gavitt, Ernest M |
2nd Lt |
O-700723 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft III. |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Vergos, Charles |
F/O |
T-123208 |
Orphaned, transferred to 445th BG.
Promoted to 2nd Lt.
KIA, 27 Sep 44, MACR 9387. |
Engineer
RW Gunner
MOS 748 |
Easley, James N |
S/Sgt |
33530374 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft IV. |
Radioman
LW Gunner
MOS 757 |
Pierce, Donald C |
S/Sgt |
17175795 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft IV. |
Top Gunner
MOS 758 |
Robertson, Uriel F |
Sgt |
34598778 |
KIA, 19 May 44, MACR 5242. |
Ball Gunner
MOS 612 |
Lindopp, William J |
Sgt |
31243035 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft IV. |
Tail Gunner
MOS 611 |
Burton, Jack R |
Sgt |
14003542 |
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft IV. |
Nose Gunner
MOS 748 |
Oakes, Arthur D |
Sgt |
39199225 |
Arrived in the UK via the Queen Elizabeth.
POW, 19 May 44, MACR 5242, Stalag Luft IV. |
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Others Who Flew with Arnett Crew 717
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Operations
Officer
MOS 2161 |
Byrne, Austin P |
1st Lt |
O-025011 |
Flew to England w/crew
Promoted to Capt
KIA, 6 Aug 44, MACR 8081
Wall of the Missing, Netherlands |
Squadron
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Briggs, Jesse B |
1st Lt |
O-669182 |
Flew 12 May mission w/crew |
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Arnett Crew 717
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 |
44-40088 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: industrial, oil.
Returning out of fuel, they were diverted to another base. |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
44-40171 |
Tutow, Germany |
Target: airfield. |
| 03 |
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19 May 44 |
44-40171 |
Brunswick, Germany |
Target: marshalling yard.
Lost: 1 KIA, 8 POW, MACR 5242. |
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