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Photo lifted from the 801/492 BG Website and used here with permission. We don't know if this crew picture was take while with the 492nd or after the McLaughlin Crew was transferred to the 801st/492nd BG, 858th BS in August of 1944. The crewmen in the photo are currently all unidentified.
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McLaughlin Crew 811 Summary
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The McLaughlin Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They transferred in as crew 1669 from the CCTS (Combat Crew Training School) in Biggs, Texas, on 3 Mar 44. The Crew had a couple of personnel changes while at Alamogordo. They were assigned to the 858th BS, designated as Crew 811.
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2nd Lt James McLaughlin signed out for a B-24J, 44-40086. They gave it the nickname LAURA JO. In April 1944 they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Their ground Crew Chief, S/Sgt Kubilis, flew with them, bumping Sgt Brewer onto the Queen Elizabeth.
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By our count, Lt McLaughlin flew as the aircraft commander for Crew 811 for a total of 25 missions, plus two aborted ones. 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 the pathfinder-led missions.
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On 19 Jun 44, the 858th was dismantled. Its staff was reassigned to Cheddington as the 8th Composite Command for leaflet dropping. The air crews, ground personnel and planes were reassigned to the other three squadrons. Thus the 492nd became a three squadron group. Each squadron was allowed to have 24 crews instead of the traditional 18 crews. The McLaughlin Crew 811 was reassigned to the 856th BS. We don't know what their new crew designation number was.
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The mission on 29 Jun 44, was another rough one for this crew. Their plane took a beating by flak while bombing Magdeburg. The hydraulic system was shot up and three of the engines had been hit. They almost bailed out. DeVries and Norgard were able to stop the hydraulic leaks. After checking their gas situation, McLaughlin decide to try for England. A P-38 came by and escorted them back. McLaughin was able to land at North Pickenham without incident. DeVries was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving the ship and crew.
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The McLaughlin Crew had a couple of personnel changes by the time they transferred to the 801st/492nd BG, 858th BS in August.
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With the new group, they were accidently shot down by Allied anti-aircraft guns on the night of 16/17 Sep 44. See "McLaughlin Story" link.
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More Info |
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Original Roster for
McLaughlin Crew 811
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
McLaughlin, James M |
2nd Lt |
O-690133 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
Survived when shot down by friendly AAA on the night of 16/17 Sep 44 |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Healy, Thomas F |
2nd Lt |
O-816476 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Moore, Hope C |
2nd Lt |
O-700814 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
Completed tour, returned to US, 13 Sep 44 |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Wirth, Arthur G |
2nd Lt |
O-696295 |
Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
DeVries, Alfons A |
S/Sgt |
34620245 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Distinguished Flying Cross
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
KIA when shot down by friendly AAA on the night of 16/17 Sep 44 |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Woodworth, Douglas R |
S/Sgt |
32608741 |
Promoted T/Sgt
Reassignment unknown |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Norgard, Benny O |
Sgt |
39094070 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Reassignment unknown
Seen name as Lenny |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Pirtle, James G |
Sgt |
39328318 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
KIA when shot down by friendly AAA on the night of 16/17 Sep 44
Wall of the Missing, Lorraine |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Bowers, Ray E |
Sgt |
39558330 |
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Brewer, Merrill E |
Sgt |
31005952 |
Arrived to the UK via the Queen Elizabeth
Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
KIA when shot down by friendly AAA on the night of 16/17 Sep 44 |
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Others Who Flew with McLaughlin Crew 811
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Crew Chief
MOS 750 |
Kubilis, Edmund F |
S/Sgt |
16110191 |
Flew to England with the crew
Promoted T/Sgt
Promoted M/Sgt |
Staff
Officer
MOS 9301 |
Burgess, Hershel E |
Capt |
O-260941 |
857th Squadron Intelligence Officer |
Staff
Officer
MOS 1024 |
Hambaugh, Robert |
Maj |
O-421691 |
858th Squadron Commander |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Stec, Henry |
S/Sgt |
32822690 |
From Pitsenbarger Crew R-26
Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS
WIA, Sept 44 with the 801/492 flying with McLaughlin |
Gunner
MOS 748 |
Tuzzolino, Anthony Jr |
S/Sgt |
34546954 |
Obtained from Kaufman Crew R-05
Transferred to 801/492 BG, 858th BS |
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McLaughlin Crew 811
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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11 May 44 |
44-40169 |
Mulhouse, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 02 |
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13 May 44 |
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Tutow, Germany |
Target: Airfield
w/Capt Burgess |
| 04 |
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27 May 44 |
44-40086 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 05 |
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28 May 44 |
44-40145 |
Zeitz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery
w/Hambaugh |
| 06 |
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29 May 44 |
44-40135 |
Politz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 07 |
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31 May 44 |
44-40086 |
Brussels, Belgium |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 08 |
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6 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Normandy, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast |
| 09 |
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8 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction
Bombed with B-17 group |
| 10 |
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11 Jun 44 |
44-40159 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 11 |
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12 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Dreux, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 12 |
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18 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Luneburg, Germany |
Target: Airfield
Bombed Wesermunde |
| 13 |
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19 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Courbronne, France |
Target: Crossbow (V-1 rockets) |
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Mission Record with the 856th Bomb Squadron
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| 14 |
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21 Jun 44 |
42-50555 |
Genshagen, Germany |
Target: Aircraft engine factory |
| 15 |
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27 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Creil, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 16 |
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28 Jun 44 |
44-40086 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Damaged by flak |
| 17 |
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29 Jun 44 |
44-40066 |
Magdeburg, Germany |
Target: Aircraft Industry |
| 18 |
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13 Jul 44 |
42-51198 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| Abort |
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16 Jul 44 |
42-110148 |
Saarbrucken, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Aborted, uncredited |
| 19 |
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18 Jul 44 |
42-50770 |
Troarns, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 20 |
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19 Jul 44 |
42-50770 |
Russelheim, Germany |
Target: Marshalling yard
Bombed Koblenz |
| Abort |
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21 Jul 44 |
42-50456 |
Oberpfaffenhofen,
Germany |
Target: Aircraft factory
Aborted, uncredited |
| 21 |
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24 Jul 44 |
42-110148 |
St Lo area, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 22 |
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25 Jul 44 |
42-110148 |
St Lo area, France |
Target: Tactical |
| 23 |
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29 Jul 44 |
42-110148 |
Oslebhausen, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 24 |
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1 Aug 44 |
44-40067 |
Anizy, France |
Target: Railroad bridge |
| 25 |
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4 Aug 44 |
42-110148 |
Kiel, Germany |
Target: Submarine base |
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