Crew 25 – Assigned 753rd Squadron – October 7, 1943

Standing: Harold Armstrong – TT/E, Richard Alvestad – P, John Sullivan – N, John Luft – CP, Otto Hammersmith – B
Kneeling: Austin Bealer – BTG, Willis Foster – WG, Elmo Fikes – RO, Charles Bevins – TG, Leo Lieber – NTG

(Photo: John Luft)

Completed Tour

RankFirst NameSerial #Crew PositionDateStatusComments
1LtRichard O. Alvestad07377514Pilot01-Dec-44CTTransferred to 70th Repl Depot
1LtJohn L. Luft0811411Co-pilotAug-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
1LtJohn F. Sullivan0812000NavigatorAug-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
2LtOtto B. Hammersmith0688669Bombardier11-Jul-44KIAFlying w/ Jones Crew - Parachute failed
T/SgtElmo R. Fikes14130145Radio OperatorSep-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
T/SgtHarold Armstrong35686462Flight EngineerSep-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
T/SgtWillis A. Foster36275501Aerial Gunner, 2/EAug-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
S/SgtLeo Lieber32183499NTG31-Mar-44UNKAwards - Air Medal 8AF GO #233
S/SgtCharles L. Bevins37231285Ball Turret GunnerAug-44CTAwards - Distinguished Flying Cross
S/SgtAustin H. Bealer13125069Tail Turret Gunner31-Mar-44UNKAwards - Air Medal 8AF GO #233

Co-pilot, Lt. John Luft flew his last operational mission on August 14, 1944.  He wrote the following in his diary:  Aug. 31 – “Orders to go to 12th RCD came out.  Same rescinded on Sept. 1st.”  Sept. 2nd – went to Hardwick by truck then went to Wharton by plane to join 27th ATG [Air Transport Group] for 30 days D.S. [Detached Service].”  Sept. 3 – Flew our own plane (pilot Manker) from Wharton to Lyneham where we are going to be stationed here until job is done.  We are to be hauling 100 octane gas to Dreux, France for troops.  They are moving so fast the supply can’t keep up with them.”

The last mention of S/Sgt’s Lieber and Bealer in group records is in March 1944 when they were both awarded the Air Medal.  Notes from other crew members indicate that both of these men completed their combat tour about the same time as the others.

On July 11, 1944, 2Lt Otto B. Hammersmith was KIA flying with 1Lt John J. Jones’ crew (AZON 02) on B-24J Satan’s Mate (MACR #6929).

1Lt Richard Alvestad Missions as Pilot

DATETARGET458th MsnPilot MsnSerialRCLSqdnA/C MsnA/C NameNotes
25-Feb-44DUTCH COASTD2--41-28706--J4D2DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTSDiversion Mission
02-Mar-44FRANKFURT1141-28706HJ41DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS41-28706
05-Mar-44BORDEAUX/MERIGNAC3241-29286RJ42UNKNOWN 011
15-Mar-44BRUNSWICK7341-29273QJ45FLAK MAGNET
16-Mar-44FRIEDRICHSHAFEN8441-28671KJ46UNKNOWN 001LEAD - Cmd Pilot GRIFFITH
21-Mar-44WATTEN, near ST. OMER10541-28706FJ42DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
22-Mar-44BERLIN11641-28706FJ43DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
24-Mar-44ST. DIZIER13742-52392OJ48WABBIT TWACKSAndrew Crew
05-Apr-44ST. POL-SIRACOURT16841-28706FJ44DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
08-Apr-44BRUNSWICK/WAGGUM17941-28706FJ45DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
09-Apr-44BRUNSWICK/WAGGUM18ABT41-28706FJ4--DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTSABORT - COULD NOT FIND FORM
18-Apr-44BRANDENBURG221041-28706FJ48DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
19-Apr-44PADERBORN A/F231141-28706FJ49DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
22-Apr-44HAMM M/Y251241-28706FJ410DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
24-Apr-44LEIPHEIM A/F261341-28706FJ411DREAM BOAT/SPARE PARTS
23-May-44BOURGES451441-28709I7V16LUCKY STRIKE
24-May-44VILLEROCHE, near MELUN461541-29489T7V6UNKNOWN 014
20-Jul-44EISENACH951644-40264KJ44KISS ME BABY
21-Jul-44MUNICH961744-40134RJ44UNKNOWN 039
24-Jul-44ST. LO AREA971844-40273TJ45HOWLING BANSHEE
31-Jul-44LUDWIGSHAFEN991944-40134RJ48UNKNOWN 039
01-Aug-44T.O.s FRANCE1002044-40134RJ49UNKNOWN 039
03-Aug-442 NO BALLS102ABT44-40134RJ4--UNKNOWN 039ABORT - #1 ENG OIL LEAK
04-Aug-44ACHIET A/F1042144-40134RJ411UNKNOWN 039
06-Aug-44HAMBURG1062244-40134RJ413UNKNOWN 039
08-Aug-44CLASTRES1082342-100431BJ435BOMB-AH-DEAR
09-Aug-44SAARBRUCKEN109ABT41-28705WZ5--YE OLDE HELLGATEABORT - A/C SLUGGISH
14-Aug-44DOLE/TAVAUX1132444-40134RJ414UNKNOWN 039
15-Aug-44VECHTA1142544-40134RJ415UNKNOWN 039
17-Aug-44LE FOULONS RR BRIDGEAZ112644-40134RJ417UNKNOWN 03910/10 CLOUD - NO DROP
18-Aug-44WOIPPY1162744-40134RJ418UNKNOWN 039
25-Aug-44MOERDIJK, NETHERLANDSAZ122844-40134RJ419UNKNOWN 039HEATH, LF 1Lt (Obs)
01-Sep-44RAVENSTEIN, HOLLANDAZ142944-40134RJ420UNKNOWN 039
11-Sep-44MAGDEBURG1263044-40285HJ435TABLE STUFF
21-Sep-44HORSHAM to LILLETR05--44-40475DJ3T3JOLLY ROGERLEAD - Pilot HALE
27-Sep-44HORSHAM to LILLETR10--41-28714G489BGT1NOT 458TH SHIPON LOAN FOR TRUCKIN'
28-Sep-44HORSHAM to LILLETR11--42-28739DT5NOT 458TH SHIP - HETHELTRUCKIN' MISSION
30-Sep-44HORSHAM to LILLETR13--41-28714G489BGT6CYCLONE/UTTERLY DEVASTATING (389BG)TRUCKIN' MISSION
22-Oct-44HAMM1372942-95133KJ46LADY JANE
26-Oct-44MINDEN1383042-95133KJ47LADY JANE
30-Oct-44HARBURG1393142-95133KJ48LADY JANE
11-Dec-44HANAU155MSHL----753--MARSHALLING CHIEF
12-Dec-44HANAU156MSHL----753--MARSHALLING CHIEF

1Lt John Luft Missions as Pilot

DateTarget458th MsnPilot MsnSerialRCLSqdnA/C MsnA/C NameComments
18-Jul-44TROARN93142-100311A7V36YOKUM BOY
24-Jul-44ST. LO AREA97244-40134RJ45UNKNOWN 039
31-Jul-44LUDWIGSHAFEN99344-40201NJ45SILVER CHIEF

B-24H 41-28706 F J4 Dream Boat / Spare Parts

Photos: Harold Armstrong