Fuson Crew – Assigned 753rd Squadron – May 26, 1944

Frank Fuson and crew were one of ten specially trained AZON crews who were assigned to the 458th in the spring of 1944.  Originally intended for duty in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater, their orders were changed en route and they flew to England instead.

The four officers, flight engineer and radio operator that had trained together arrived in England in May 1944, along with Corporal Andrew E. Reeves, an Electronics Technician assigned to keep the AZON equipment in good working order.   The four gunners, not onboard the AZON aircraft en route to the combat zone, continued on to the CBI, being replaced by four different gunners once the crew arrived in England.

Fuson’s first mission was on June 14, 1944, AZON Sortie #6.  They flew the aircraft they had trained in and brought overseas, a specially equipped B-24J that they had named Bad Girl.  Records indicate that 15 aircraft went after five different targets on this date, but it is not known which one Fuson bombed. 

The crew flew five of the ten AZON missions, their last on August 26th to bridges at Moerdjik, Holland.  The AZON project was abandoned towards the end of September. Between the AZON trips, they flew a number of missions with the Group in July and August, most of these in Bad Girl.  In September the 458th participated in the Truckin’ Missions, in which a number of war weary Liberators from several 2nd bombardment Division groups were stripped down so that they could haul gasoline to France in supply of Patton’s Third Army.  Fuson and crew flew seven of these missions, although none of the crews participating received any sortie credit.

Shortly after the group resumed combat flying in October, Bad Girl was crash-landed at Horsham by Lt Arthur Akin and crew (see section below).  Fuson flew the remainder of their missions between October and December, finishing up just after Christmas.

The entire crew was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and sent back to the States for reassignment.

Bad Girl and co-pilot William Kotowicz

(Photo: Terry McGrew)

October 6, 1944

(Photos: Rick Rockicki & Harold Armstrong)

Back from a Combat Mission

Distinguished Flying Cross

Fielding Washington, William Jameson, William Kotowicz, and Frank Fuson after being decorated

1Lt Frank Fuson

Maj Charles Breeding pins the DFC on S/Sgt Forest Large

The Distinguished Flying Cross was recently presented [to] S/Sgt Forest B. Large, Gallipolis, O., by Maj Charles N, Breeding, Liberator Squadron Commander, at an Eighth Air Force Liberator station in England.  The medal was presented for extraordinary achievement as an aerial gunner on a B-24 Liberator heavy bomber.  S/Sgt Large has flown on 35 bombing missions over Germany. and enemy occupied Europe with the 458th Bombardment group in the Second Bombardment Division.  His parents , Mr. and Mrs. James B. Large live at 74 Engler St., Columbus. His wife, Helen, lives at Crown Court, Route 1, Gallia County.

From a news article courtesy Judith Taylor