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Rankin Crew R-50
Rankin Crew R-50 Summary
The Rankin Crew was formed around Lt John Rankin, the former Assistant Operations Officer for the 858th Squadron. Rankin had been with the Group since the beginning. Just prior to his squadron getting cut from the Group, he was reassigned to the 856th. With so many of the original crews lost, it was decided to give him command of a combat crew.
We don't think that his new crew came in together. It appears his crew was assembled from various personnel in the replacement pool.
On 31 July, they were assigned to the 856th BS, but never got a chance to fly a combat mission before the Group was disbanded.
We don't know if this crew was disbanded or if they were transferred to another group intact. At this time we don't know where any of these men went.
More Info
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Original Roster for
Rankin Crew R-50
Position / MOS Name Rank Serial # Notes
Pilot
MOS 2161
Rankin, John G 1st Lt O-659758  
Co-Pilot
MOS 1024
Clark, William W 2nd Lt O-705112  
Navigator
MOS 1034
Grular, Cleve W 2nd Lt O-759799  
Bombardier
MOS 1035
Hrostowski, John W 2nd Lt O-703499  
Engineer
MOS 748
Silber, Maurice S/Sgt 12120704  
Radio
Operator
MOS 757
Kiesel, Kenneth D S/Sgt 19147101  
Gunner
MOS 748
Dreyer, William H Sgt 35552225  
Gunner
MOS 757
Edenstrom, Howard W Sgt 37317501  
Gunner
MOS 612
Ramsey, Ralph W Sgt 35567900  
Gunner
MOS 748
Trexler, Joseph A Sgt 34607410  
Rankin Crew R-50
492nd BG Mission Record
856th Bomb Squadron
Crew
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Number
Group
Mission
Date
Aircraft
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Number
Primary Target Mission Notes
 -   -   -   -   -  No missions flown
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Page last modified Friday, August 3, 2007.