Back Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Sgt. Sanford E. Walke, Engineer
  2. Sgt. George E. Vela, Radio
  3. Sgt. Reginald C. Ferguson, Waist Gunner
  4. Sgt. Martin D. Hansen, Ball Turret
  5. Sgt. Gerald M. Dye, Waist Gunner
  6. Sgt. Jack L. Bohn, Tail Gunner

Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Lt. George F. Wilson, Jr., Pilot
  2. Lt. Vernon C. Atkinson, Co-Pilot
  3. Lt. Robert E. Perry, Navigator
  4. Lt. Richard J. Dunn, Bombardier

Notes:

  1. The Wilson crew was shot down 8 July 1944 in A/C 42-102445 3O-R. Lt. George F. Wilson, Jr. was KIA by a flak fragment.
  2. Imprisoned as POWs on 11 July 1944 were:
    1. Sgt. Sanford E. Walke, Engineer
    2. Sgt. George E. Vela, Radio
    3. Sgt. Martin D. Hansen, Ball Turret
    4. Sgt. Gerald M. Dye, Waist Gunner
    5. Lt. Vernon C. Atkinson, Co-Pilot
    6. Lt. Robert E. Perry, Navigator
    7. Lt. Richard J. Dunn, Bombardier
  3. Sgt. Reginald C. Ferguson, Waist Gunner was able to avoid capture and returned to the 389th.
  4. Sgt. Jack L. Bohn, Tail Gunner was not with the crew that day and was later transferred to the Wally Blackwell crew.

See also:

  1. The Wilson Crew was shot down on 8 July 1944.
  2. 398th Mission: 8 July 1944 to Humieres-Fresnoy, France
  3. The Day We Saw The Colored Flak by Jack Bohn, Tail Gunner
  4. My Friend Jack Bohn - Tail Gunner by Wally Blackwell, Pilot

Comments:

  1. Aircraft in photo: 42-97784.
    Per aircraft history: "42-97784 Del Cheyenne 25/2/44; Denver 6/3/44; Alexandria 18/3/44; 221 BU Alexandria 17/1/45; 329 BU Alexandria 1/3/45; 325 BU Avon Park 13/8/45; RFC Walnut Ridge 18/12/45."
  2. Photo Date: May 1944
  3. Photo Location: Alexandria AAB, Louisianna during Flight Training
  4. Photo Reference No. WIL001
  5. Information compiled by UK Friends of the 398th with thanks to Sanford E. Walke and Eddie Ebbert.
  6. If you would like to add information about this photograph, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.