Back Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Cpl. Louis J. Stoffer, Engineer
  2. 2nd Lt. Harry Agnew, Navigator
  3. 2nd Lt. Donald Grinter, Pilot
  4. Cpl. William Davidson, Ball Turret
  5. 2nd Lt. James White, Co-Pilot
  6. Sgt. Harold Johnson, Radio (standing 3/4 upright, left hand on left knee)

Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Cpl. John Contento, Tail Gunner
  2. 2nd Lt. Francis Harrod, Bombardier (later Navigator)
  3. Cpl. Kenneth Kiser, Togglier / Gunner
  4. Cpl. David Flores, Waist Gunner (later Navigator)

Notes:

  1. In the photo above, the crew was on a cross country training flight from Sioux City, Iowa to Florida and had to divert because of an oil leak in one of the engines. Kansas city just happened to be the home of Don Grinter's family!
  2. It would be interesting to know the following:
    1. What are the words on top of the building? It looks like "ITN" is the middle part of a word.
    2. What is 2nd Lt. Francis Harrod, Bombardier holding?
    3. What is Cpl. Kenneth Kiser, Togglier / Gunner holding? A manual or a magazine.

Comments:

  1. Aircraft in photo: 42-102765, A/C was used in training at Rapid City, Sioux City, Jackson, etc.
  2. Photo Date: July 1944
  3. Photo Location: Kansas City during X-Country Training Flight
  4. Photo Reference No. GR01
  5. Information compiled by UK Friends of the 398th with thanks to Lou Stoffer, and Daniel Bon.
  6. If you would like to add information about this photograph, or can provide a better scan, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.

See also:

  1. No Forgetting Christmas Eve Mission by Lou Stoffer, Engineer/Gunner, 600th Squadron
  2. Grinter's Crash the Day After at the Nuthampstead Air Base Both 2nd Lt. Francis Harrod and Cpl. David Flores were KIA as a result of the crash.
  3. 398th Mission: 24 December 1944 - Koblenz
  4. Louis Stoffer, 398th Engineer/Gunner - 600th Squadron Video Interview (28m 8s)
  5. Jim White, 398th Pilot - 600th Squadron Video Interview (1hr 3m 17s)
  6. "We Fly at Dawn" by John Contento, Tail Gunner