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Monroe Crew R-01
 Monroe Crew R-01
Back row, left to right...
Arthur Vincent, co-pilot
Thomas Yandoh, bombardier
Morton Kern, navigator
John Monroe, pilot
Front row, left to right...
Charles Black, gunner
David McClenny, engineer
Henry Sumowski, gunner
Lee Hampton, radio operator
Michael Trotta, gunner
Jack Swan, engineer
Monroe Crew R-01 Summary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Info
from the EDGE
42-95132
42-51091
BANGIN' LULU
42-50279
ENVY OF 'EM ALL
44-40167
SIERRA BLANCA
41-29470
Links to missions
flown by the
Monroe Crew R-01
are below in their
Mission Record
Original Roster for
Monroe Crew R-01
Position / MOS 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
Monroe Crew R-01
492nd BG Mission Record
858th Bomb Squadron
Crew
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Date
Aircraft
Serial
Number
Primary Target Mission Notes
01
 Link to Mission 15 page 15
2 Jun 44 42-95132 Berck-sur-Mer, France Target: Airfield
02
 Link to Mission 16 page 16
4 Jun 44 42-95132 Avord, France Target: Airfield
03
 Link to Mission 17 page 17
6 Jun 44 42-95132 Normandy, France Target: D-Day invasion coast
Bombed with another group
Abort
 Link to Mission 19 page 19
6 Jun 44 42-51091 Vire, France Target: D-Day invasion coas
Aborted, uncreditedt
04
 Link to Mission 20 page 20
8 Jun 44 42-95132 Angers, France Target: Railroad junction
Aborted, initially uncredited, got credit later
05
 Link to Mission 23 page 23
11 Jun 44 42-95132 La Possonniere, France Target: Marshalling yard
06
 Link to Mission 25 page 25
12 Jun 44 42-50279 Dreux, France Target: Airfield
07
 Link to Mission 27 page 27
14 Jun 44 42-95132 Chateaudun, France Target: Airfield
08
 Link to Mission 30 page 30
17 Jun 44 44-40167 Tours, France Target: Airfield
Mission record as Crew 710 with the 857th BS
09
 Link to Mission 34 page 34
20 Jun 44 41-29470 Politz, Germany Target: Oil refinery
10
 Link to Mission 39 page 39
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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Page last modified Tuesday, October 4, 2011.