Hopkins' Crew with the Bugler in Rapid City

about March 1944

Below are Lt. Ed Jordan's photographs of the Hopkins Crew with their new aircraft The Bugler in Rapid City about the March 1944. Ed was the co-pilot for the Bob Hopkins crew.

These photos were obtained from the Edward C. Jordan's 398th Photo CD. If you would like to add information about these photographs, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.

 


Hopkins' Crew at Rapid City
Hopkins' Crew at Rapid City

Back Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. S/Sgt. Raymond A. Vicha, Waist Gunner
  2. T/Sgt Raymond Gibeau, Radio and Gunner
  3. S/Sgt. Sgt. Ray E. Nutter, Gunner
  4. S/Sgt. William J. Germiller, Engineer and Gunner
  5. T/Sgt. Walter G. Armstrong, Engineer
  6. S/Sgt. James F. Hochadel, Ball Turret Gunner

Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. 1st Lt. Anthony J. Jellen, Navigator
  2. 2nd Lt. Edward C. Jordan, Co-Pilot
  3. 1st Lt. David B. Moore, Bombardier
  4. 1st Lt. Robert L. Hopkins, Pilot

Additional Information:

  1. Final Disposition of A/C: Assigned to Hopkins in Rapid City Feb/March 1944, arrived Nuthampstead 25 April 1944; 4 May 1944 assigned out; to 96th BG 413th Squadron; no combat operations with the 398th; shot down June 1944.
  2. Names the crew gave to The Bugler's engines as noted in a letter by Ray Vicha
    1. Engine No. 1: "Reveille" - always starts first
    2. Engine No. 2: "Pay Call" - always dependable
    3. Engine No. 3: "Taps" - acts up and stops in flight
    4. Engine No. 4: "Dirty Gertie" - throws oil
  3. Related Information:
    1. Hopkins' Bugler in the Snow at Rapid City - Feb/March 1944

Comments:

  1. Original Crew No. 65
  2. Aircraft in photo: 42-97363 The Bugler
  3. Photo Date: about March 1944
  4. Photo Location: Rapid City, South Dakota
  5. Photo Reference: Edward C. Jordan's 398th Photo Collection CD: DJ_C01, DJ_C02, DJ_C03, DJ_C08
  6. Information compiled by the 398th Web team with special thanks to Dave Jordan.
  7. 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.


Hopkins and Officers at Rapid City - 1944
Hopkins and Officers at Rapid City - 1944

Standing (viewer's left to right):

  1. 1st Lt. Anthony J. Jellen, Navigator
  2. 1st Lt. Robert L. Hopkins, Pilot
  3. 2nd Lt. Edward C. Jordan, Co-Pilot
  4. 1st Lt. David B. Moore, Bombardier


Hopkins' Crew Sergeants at Rapid City - 1944
Hopkins' Crew Sergeants at Rapid City - 1944

Standing (viewer's left to right):

  1. T/Sgt. Walter G. Armstrong, Engineer
  2. S/Sgt. Raymond A. Vicha, Waist Gunner
  3. T/Sgt Raymond Gibeau, Radio and Gunner
  4. S/Sgt. Sgt. Ray E. Nutter, Gunner
  5. S/Sgt. William J. Germiller, Engineer and Gunner
  6. S/Sgt. James F. Hochadel, Ball Turret Gunner


Men Starting A/C 42-97363 B-17 Engines - 1944
Men Starting A/C 42-97363 B-17 Engines - 1944

Front to back:

  1. S/Sgt. James F. Hochadel, Ball Turret Gunner
  2. S/Sgt. Raymond A. Vicha, Waist Gunner
  3. S/Sgt. William J. Germiller, Engineer and Gunner
  4. S/Sgt. Sgt. Ray E. Nutter, Gunner
  5. There is also a man's face in the B-17 window. He has the appearance of 1st Lt. David B. Moore (B) also known as "Whitey", but it is not certain it is him. See Hopkins' Crew Portraits - late 1943 - March 1944.

Jeff Vicha reported that his grandfather Ray Vicha has this same photo. On Ray's photo, was written: "Twisting the tail on Dirty Gertie this motor burns oil and always causes us problems." It is believed that he was referring to their name for the engine and not their name for the aircraft.