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Back row, left to right...
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Arthur Vincent, co-pilot
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Thomas Yandoh, bombardier
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Morton Kern, navigator
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John Monroe, pilot
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Front row, left to right...
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Charles Black, gunner
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David McClenny, engineer
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Henry Sumowski, gunner
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Lee Hampton, radio operator
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Michael Trotta, gunner
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Jack Swan, engineer
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Monroe Crew R-01 Summary
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When the Monroe crew was brought into the 492nd on 25 May 44, they didn't have a navigator with them. Upon arrivial they were assigned to the 858th BS and began their in-house training. At this time we don't know which crew they replaced, as there were already 5 crews lost in the 858th.
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Our initial count shows that the Monroe Crew flew 10 missions with the 492nd. We don't know if there were any personnel changes on any of the missions. We do know that not all of their missions were flown with the 858th. The Monroe Crew is believed to had been assigned to three different squadrons.
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According to the records, the first 8 missions were with the 858th. The day before their 9th one, the Group announced a reorganization that eliminated the 858th BS. While the 858th staff command was transferred to become the 8th Composite Command, its crews and ships were reassigned to the other three squadrons. The Monroe Crew was sent to the 857th to fill the spot previously manned by the Stanhope Crew 710, who had been transferred to the 44th BG. The Monroe Crew R-01 was designated as Crew 710.
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The mission on 20 Jun 44 turned out to be the blackest day for the Group, as it lost 14 planes on its raid to Politz. Somehow the Monroe Crew survived it.
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Three days later, 23 Jun 44, the Monroe Crew was in the air again. There is some dispute as to which squadron they were in. Our theory is they were still in the 857th but their plane went to the 856th. Our conclusion is based on the fact that the 857th had to give the 856th one of their planes to replace this one.
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This was a mission to level an enemy airfield at St Cyr, France. It was sort of a revenge mission for the 492nd. The Monroe Crew took a direct hit by flak over Brussels. Their right wing caught fire and blew off! The ship spun down and broke into two pieces. Only the radio operator and engineer, who were blown out of the plane, survived. 8 KIA, 2 POW, MACR 6242.
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Original Roster for
Monroe Crew R-01
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| Position |
Name |
Rank |
Serial # |
Notes |
Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Monroe, John D |
2nd Lt |
O-796426 |
Promoted 1st Lt
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried in the USA |
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024 |
Vincent, Arthur F |
2nd Lt |
O-550854 |
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried at Ardennes, B-40-5 |
Navigator
MOS 1034 |
Kern, Morton J |
2nd Lt |
O-550453 |
Obtained from replacement pool
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried in the USA |
Bombardier
MOS 1035 |
Yandoh, Thomas E |
F/O |
T-123097 |
Promoted 2nd Lt, serial number O-550440
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Died same day in Hospital 11/614A
Buried at Ardennes, D-1-5 |
Engineer
MOS 748 |
McClenny, David F |
S/Sgt |
34663452 |
Promoted T/Sgt
POW, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242 |
Radio
Operator
MOS 757 |
Hampton, Lee A |
S/Sgt |
37498245 |
POW, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242, Stalag Luft IV
Spelled Leo on some records |
Gunner
MOS 612 |
Black, Charles H |
Sgt |
35797246 |
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried in the USA |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Sumowski, Henry J |
Sgt |
31276731 |
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried at Ardennes, D-1-12 |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Swan, Jack T |
Sgt |
36454360 |
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried at Ardennes, A-29-5 |
Gunner
MOS 611 |
Trotta, Michael J |
Sgt |
12158002 |
KIA, 23 Jun 44, MACR 6242
Buried at Ardennes, A-13-11 |
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Monroe Crew R-01
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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2 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
Berck-sur-Mer, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 02 |
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4 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
Avord, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 03 |
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6 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
Normandy, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coast
Bombed with another group |
| Abort |
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6 Jun 44 |
42-51091 |
Vire, France |
Target: D-Day invasion coas
Aborted, uncreditedt |
| 04 |
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8 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
Angers, France |
Target: Railroad junction
Aborted, initially uncredited, got credit later |
| 05 |
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11 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
La Possonniere, France |
Target: Marshalling yard |
| 06 |
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12 Jun 44 |
42-50279 |
Dreux, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 07 |
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14 Jun 44 |
42-95132 |
Chateaudun, France |
Target: Airfield |
| 08 |
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17 Jun 44 |
44-40167 |
Tours, France |
Target: Airfield |
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Mission record as Crew 710 with the 857th BS
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| 09 |
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20 Jun 44 |
41-29470 |
Politz, Germany |
Target: Oil refinery |
| 10 |
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23 Jun 44 |
41-29470 |
Juvincourt, France |
Target: Airfield
AC borrowed from the 856th
Lost to flak
8 KIA, 2 POW, MACR 6242 |
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