Warbird Information Exchange

Tomorrow, I have the honor in participating in a missing man formation flyby at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium.

The memorial is for "Crew 602" of the 856th Bomb Squadron, 492d Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were lost on 7 July 1944 in B-24J 44-40145 near Westeregeln in eastern Germany.

Having departed from RAF North Pickenham in England, they had participated on a raid over Bernburg, and were shot down by German fighters on their way home. None of the crew got out of the aircraft before it crashed.

In 2003, the crash site was excavated and the crew members' remains were identified by DNA and pesonal effects. They were buried at several locations in the US during 2007 after identification and repatriation, but their names are still on the "MIA" wall at Henri-Chapelle. This ceremony will correct their status as "KIA".

Here is the crew photo of "Crew 602", taken only a week or two before they were lost.



Back row, left to right...
• TSgt Leonard J Ray, flight engineer
• 1Lt David P McMurray, pilot
• 2Lt Millard C Wells Jr, co-pilot
• 1Lt Raymond Pascual, bombardier

Front row, left to right...
• TSgt Hyman L Stiglitz, radio operator
• SSgt Francis E Larrivee, gunner
• SSgt Walter O Schlosser, gunner
• SSgt Robert L Cotey, gunner
• SSgt Robert J Flood, gunner

There are excellent details of this crew and their missions on this amazing website I found today:

http://www.492ndbombgroup.com/cgi-bin/p ... rray%20801

Likewise, here is some data on their B-24:



http://492ndbombgroup.com/photos/ac-pho ... 45-01.html



I hope to have some photos after the flyby tomorrow.

Thanks for sharing this with us Hacker.

We shall expect a full report upon mission completion.

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What is that mountain goat doing way up here in the clouds?

...sometimes I think that Europe has forgotten the sacrifice made by our servicemen to keep them free. Especially since this is still going on in lovely little 3rd world toilets run buy cowards and despots who want everyone to think like they do. Without the efforts of our men in those places there would be a new 'Hitler' rising....thanks for honoring those fallen heros.

That has to rank up there as one of the best "perks" of the job, Randy... An honor indeed.

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Sure, Charles Lindbergh flew the plane... but Tom Rutledge built the engine!

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It's a shame it probably won't make the news here in the States. What will you be flying?

I will think of them as I raise my flag in the morning.

That's a popular opinion in the US, but I haven't seen any evidence of that in person over in Europe.

There is certainly less reverence about US contributions among the under 30 crowd, but anyone who was a child during or after WWII hasn't forgotten.

One of these:



If the weather cooperates, I'll be the #3 man who pulls up away from the formation. I'm hoping to have a nice, blue sky so I can keep the afterburner climb on until 15 or 20K.

Who's gonna be your GIB/weapons weenie, and is he your regular GIB (guy in back).

Enjoy the flight and thanks for your ability to participate. When I look at their photo, it always reminds me of how young they were and will always remain. Again enjoy the honor and thanks!

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tracers work both ways

Sweet. Have a good flight sir. Hope there is a good crowd that shows up for the ceremony to show their respects (and nobody showing up to protest!!! those people really hack me off at these kind of events)

I don't have a regular crewed WSO while at home -- we only do that while we are deployed for combat operations.

My 'pitter tomorrow will be an old friend named 'FLIK'.

Thanks Randy...

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Support Your Local Warbirds! KBO!
The only reasons the airplanes matter is what the veterans did with them... and why.

No, sincerly no.

Don't forget that lots and lots of Europeans lost their lives during WWII too and yes lots of American and Allied paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Freedom of the World.

Don't take offense Jet1, but during WW2, differents peoples of my familly take huge risks to help downed airmen, provided them civil clothes, hide them at home and help to escape to England. One of them was arrested, tortured and deported in concentration camp. She survived and come back but with the huge weight of all these horrors.
So, just undestrand that it's hard for me (and for lots of other peoples) to read that "Europe has forgotten "

We can have different opinion on differents subjects today but we will never forget our common history.

I have the biggest respect to these KIA airmen who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Randy: good flight tomorrow and tanks to take part in this comemorative job, it's really important.

Sorry for my bad English but after a hard day at work, it's not really easy to concentrate

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Sorry for my bad English:-(

First off, Glad to hear that you are going to participate. We expect a full report. Video would be good.


Second, totally off topic and a 2 part question with this load out (missiles above what I assume are external fuel);
1. Would the missile above the external fuel work correctly if fired with the external fuel still on the rack?
2. If the external fuel would interfere with the upper missile, is the aircraft's system smart enough that it won't let you do that or is it up to you to jettison the external fuel before firing those missiles. Not that you would be shooting with external fuel still attached but just curious. Saw the picture and wondered.

Awesome, Hacker! Looking forward to the pics.

Wade

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Very cool, Randy. And it's neat that you're the #3 guy. Like you said, it's an honor to be asked to fly a missing man formation for someone. Good on ya'.

Gary