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Handwright Crew 807 Summary
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The Handwright Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1650 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. They were assigned to the 858th BS, designated as Crew 807.
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Capt Charles Handwright signed out for a B-24J 44-40066. They nicknamed their ship, S.O.L. We hope you know what that stands for. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground Crew Chief, T/Sgt Vetter, flew with them, thus bumping Sgt Goerndt onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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By our count Capt Handwright flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 807 for a total of 8 missions. We can't be positive of all of the personnel changes on some of their missions. It's always possible that the bombardier could have missed some of the earlier pathfinder missions.
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On 10 Jun 44, the Handwright Crew 807 was transferred to the 44th BG. They were one of the crews picked to be trained as a Pathfinder Lead Crew. An amendment order issued on 19 Jun 44, reassigned them to the 93rd BG instead.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
Handwright Crew 807
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Handwright, Charles B |
Capt |
O-1699502 |
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Denisuk, Alexander |
2nd Lt |
O-702250 |
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Stough, Louis F |
2nd Lt |
O-704091 |
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Palermo, Joseph S |
F/O |
T-123080 |
Promoted 2nd Lt
Promoted 1st Lt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
Gilley, James A |
S/Sgt |
39408604 |
Promoted T/Sgt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Radioman
MOS 757 |
Feller, Robert J |
S/Sgt |
35576793 |
Promoted T/Sgt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Gravens, Frank B |
Sgt |
15334749 |
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
McMullen, James C |
Sgt |
38320259 |
Promoted S/Sgt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Denton, Frankford G |
Sgt |
33523229 |
Promoted S/Sgt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Goerndt, William W |
Sgt |
39307798 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
19 Jun 44, transferred to 93rd BG |
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Others Who Flew with Handwright Crew 807
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Vetter, Clyde F |
T/Sgt |
16027763 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted M/Sgt |
Staff
Officer
MOS 2161 |
Schepis, Thomas F |
Capt |
O-431308 |
856th Squadron Operations Officer
Promoted Major |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Kennelly, Herman J |
2nd Lt |
O-374354 |
Reassigned from Goodridge Crew 812
19 Jun 44, transferred w/crew to 93rd BG as extra bombardier
Seen ASN as O-734540
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Handwright Crew 807
492nd BG Mission Record
858th 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 |
44-40066 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 02 |
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15 May 44 |
44-40066 |
Siracourt, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 03 |
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21 May 44 |
44-40066 |
Siracourt, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
| 04 |
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24 May 44 |
44-40167 |
Melun, France |
Target: Airfield
Led C Section w/Schepis |
| 05 |
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25 May 44 |
42-95196 |
Belfort, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 06 |
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28 May 44 |
42-95196 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 07 |
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6 Jun 44 |
41-29489 |
Caen, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 08 |
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8 Jun 44 |
42-95196 |
Angers, France |
Target: Target: Tactical |
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