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Rasmussen Crew R-02 (709)
 Rasmussen Crew R-02
Back row, left to right...
Paul Boos, navigator
Jack Wilson, bombardier
Arthur Rasmussen, pilot
Harold Koven, co-pilot
Front row, left to right...
Gandolfo LaPlaca, radio operator
Murray Friedenberg, gunner
Alvin Hungerford, gunner
Bernard Murtaugh, gunner
Paul Taylor, gunner
Charles Hollingsworth, engineer
Rasmussen Crew R-02 Summary
The Rasmussen Crew transferred to North Pickenham in May. Their original co-pilot (unknown) had been stripped from the crew to serve elsewhere. On the 25th they were assigned to the 857th BS to replace the Murray Crew 709 that was downed on 19 May 44. F/O Roven was assigned to them as their new co-pilot.
By our count, the Rasmussen Crew flew 20 missions with the 492nd beginning on 2 Jun 44. Since they were the second replacement crew to fly combat they were designated as Replacement Crew R-02. They were also designated as Crew 709. We haven't confirmed if there were any substitutions made on any of the missions but the Crew was intact when they transferred to the 44th BG, 66th BS on 10 Aug 44.
Looking at their record one can easily see that the Rasmussen Crew flew and survived some of the Group's toughest air battles. Their service with the Group was no picnic. It didn't take too long for them to be considered one of the older crews in the squadron.
In a letter sent to the HAPPY WARRIOR, Paul Boos said the worst mission they faced was the 20 Jun mission to Politz. They had one engine shot out and the hydraulic lines cut. Landing back at North Pickenham would be extremely difficult without flaps or brakes. Rasmussen made use of the tail skid to slow the plane down to a stop.
Boos went on to say that he flew 21 missions with the 492nd and 14 more with the 44th. His account revealed that on one of the 492nd missions he flew with the Frantz Crew 803. By that time the Frantz Crew had been transferred to the 857th BS.
More Info
42-95023
LUCKY LASS II
42-95177
BO II
42-51121
NIAGARA
SPECIAL
42-51171
ELI SWOF, Jr
44-40050
SUPER WOLF
42-94986
PREGNANT ANGEL
42-50313
WABASH
CANNON BALL
44-40157
LUCKY LASS
44-40125
HERK'S JERKS
42-51091
BANGIN' LULU
44-40158
TINKER BELLE
44-40071
SWEAT BOX
44-40173
ERNIE'S BEAVERS
44-40113
GAMBLIN' LADY
42-50675
BOLD VENTURE III
41-28978
Links to missions
flown by the
Rasmussen Crew R-02
are below in their
Mission Record
44th BG
website
Original Roster for
Rasmussen Crew R-02
Position / MOS Name Rank Serial # Notes
Pilot
MOS 1024
Rasmussen, Arthur H 1st Lt O-742898 Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024
Koven, Harold E F/O T-61761 Assigned to crew at North Pickenham
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Seen name spelled Roven
Navigator
MOS 1034
Boos, Paul V 2nd Lt O-564847 Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Also spelled on records as Roos
Bombardier
MOS 1035
Wilson, Jack E 2nd Lt O-694483 Promoted 1st Lt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Engineer
MOS 748
Hollingsworth, Charles D S/Sgt 18127732 Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Radio
Operator
MOS 757
LaPlaca, Gandolfo S S/Sgt 31275663 Promoted T/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Gunner
MOS 748
Hungerford, Alvin E Sgt 13119209 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Gunner
MOS 612
Murtaugh, Bernard J Sgt 33584482 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Gunner
MOS 612
Friedenburg, Murray L Sgt 32694055 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Gunner
MOS 611
Taylor, Paul J Sgt 13099989 Promoted S/Sgt
Transferred 10 Aug, to 44th BG, 66th BS
Rasmussen Crew R-02
492nd BG Mission Record
857th 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 42-95023 Berck-sur-Mer, France Target: Airfield
02
 Link to Mission 18 page 18
6 Jun 44 42-95177 Caen, France Target: D-Day invasion coast
03
 Link to Mission 23 page 23
11 Jun 44 42-51121 La Possonniere, France Target: Marshalling yard
04
 Link to Mission 25 page 25
12 Jun 44 42-51171 Dreux, France Target: Airfield
05
 Link to Mission 26 page 26
14 Jun 44 42-95177 Emmerich, Germany Target: Oil refinery
06
 Link to Mission 28 page 28
15 Jun 44 44-40050 La Frilliere, France Target: Railroad bridge
A/C borrowed from 859th BS
07
 Link to Mission 34 page 34
20 Jun 44 42-94986 Politz, Germany Target: Oil refinery
08
 Link to Mission 38 page 38
22 Jun 44 42-50313 St Cyr, France Target: Airfield
09
 Link to Mission 41 page 41
27 Jun 44 42-95177 Creil, France Target: Marshalling yard
Bombed w/44th BG
10
 Link to Mission 42 page 42
28 Jun 44 44-40157 Saarbrucken, Germany Target: Marshalling yard
Abort
 Link to Mission 46 page 46
7 Jul 44 44-40125 Bernburg, Germany Target: Aircraft manufacturing
Aborted, uncredited
11
 Link to Mission 47 page 47
8 Jul 44 42-51091 Alost, Belgium Target: Railroad bridge
Couldn't drop bombs
12
 Link to Mission 48 page 48
11 Jul 44 44-40158 Munich, Germany Target: Railroad station
13
 Link to Mission 49 page 49
12 Jul 44 44-40158 Munich, Germany Target: Railroad station
14
 Link to Mission 52 page 52
18 Jul 44 44-40071 Troarns, France Target: Tactical
15
 Link to Mission 53 page 53
19 Jul 44 44-40173 Russelheim, Germany Target: Marshalling yard
Bombed Koblenz
16
 Link to Mission 55 page 55
21 Jul 44 44-40071 Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany Target: Aircraft factory
17
 Link to Mission 56 page 56
24 Jul 44 44-40113 St Lo area, France Target: Tactical
18
 Link to Mission 57 page 57
25 Jul 44 44-40071 St Lo area, France Target: Tactical
19
 Link to Mission 62 page 62
4 Aug 44 42-50675 Kiel, Germany Target: Submarine base
A/C borrowed from 859th BS
20
 Link to Mission 64 page 64
5 Aug 44 41-28978 Brunswick, Germany Target: Aircraft manufacturing
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Page last modified Tuesday, October 4, 2011.