Back Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. 2nd Lt. Willard Hadjes, Pilot
  2. F/O Homer R. Kuck, Co-Pilot
  3. John A. Hiller, Bombardier
  4. Richard E. Howell, Navigator

Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Jack H. Brady, Crew Chief
  2. Frank Pescia
  3. S/Sgt. Joseph Ferraiuolo, Radio/Gunner
  4. John B. Lindsay, Engineer/Waist Gunner
  5. Sgt. Floyd Jones, Jr., Ball Turret Gunner
  6. Sgt. James A. Johnson, Gunner 3
  7. Sgt. Robert B. Gibb, Engineer Gunner

Notes:

  1. Jack H. Brady, Crew Chief flew with the crew to Nuthampstead. Since all other crew members are identified, it is assumed he is person No. 1 in the front row left.
  2. The following was received in an April 20, 2005 e-mail.

    I would like to add some information concerning Cpl. Frank K. Pescia, the tail gunner of the Hadjes' crew (601 BS). Their aircraft was shot down on 18/06/1944 and all the crew members were made POW. At the end of the war ex-POWs were repatriated and Cpl. Pescia was among them. On May 18th he climbed aboard a RAF Lockheed Hudson III of the 161 Squadron with 12 other US POWs at Luneburg and was returning to UK. Unfortunately when landing at Evere (Belgium) the aircraft crashed and burst into flames. All the RAF crew members and passengers perished in this crash. I hope this will help you to complete the Hadjes' crew information.
     
    Best regards,
     
    Regis Decobeck
    Waterloo (Belgium)

Comments:

  1. Original Crew No. 23
  2. Aircraft flown: 42-97368, Tailwind
  3. Aircraft in photo: 42-97368, Tailwind. When the photo is enlarged, the serial number on the fuselage can be seen as 42-97368.
  4. Photo Date: During training, thought to be March 1944, possibly March 16
  5. Photo Location: probably Rapid City during Training
  6. Photo Reference: via Jack's Books CD
  7. Information compiled by UK Friends of the 398th with thanks to Lee Bradley, Regis Decobeck and Jim McCrossins.
  8. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.

See also:

  1. The Hadjes Crew was shot down on 18 June 1944.
  2. 398th Mission: 18 June 1944 to Hamburg, Germany