Fletcher Crew – Assigned 754th Squadron – November 9, 1944

2Lt Robert G. Fletcher and crew arrived at the 458th in November 1944 and had almost completed their 35-mission tour by war’s end.  They flew nine different Liberators in their 32 missions, all but one of these to targets in Germany.  The crew did not abort due to mechanical or personnel issues in all that time.

On February 26, 1945 the crew flew to Berlin on the 458th’s 200th mission.  A month later, on April 25th they were one of 27 aircraft put up by the Group to bomb the rail yards at Bad Reichenhall, Germany on the Eighth Air Force’s last combat mission of the war.  On May 17, 1945 the crew were transferred into the 755th Squadron.

Those crews who had not completed their tour by war’s end were assigned the task of ferrying the Group’s Liberators back to the States. Each aircraft would carry a combat crew of 9 – 10 men and 10 ground men. Fletcher and crew were given a B-24M that had compiled a mere five missions over Germany.  They departed Horsham in June and arrived back in the States that same month.

Standing: Santos Ortega, Unidentified (RCM Op), Glenn Franklin, Robert Fletcher, Veto Stasumas, Jacob Kuhn (center)
Kneeling: Al Lankus, Hugh Gaffney, Howard berry, John Hubbard

From the 2ADA Journal: “This picture shows the crew ready for action on a bombing mission close to the Russian border, one of several 10 hour sorties.  Note “Old Glory” arm bands, .45 caliber sidearms also required…”

(2ADA Journal Spring 1994)

Horsham Hardstand

Fletcher Crew at Horsham St Faith. 
Date is unknown, but the aircraft is B-24M-10-FO 44-50693 P in the 755th Squadron.

(Photo: Santos Ortega)

June 1945

Back Row: Robert Fletcher, Veto Stasumas, Walter Stynetski (Totten Crew Navigator), Howard Berry
Middle Row: Santos Ortega, Unknown, Al Lankus, John Hubbard, Unknown, Unknown
Front Row: Glenn Franklin, Unknown, Jacob Kuhn, Unknown, Unknown

(Photo: FOLD3 – Click for a closer look)