C.L. Smith Crew – Assigned 752nd Squadron – April 20, 1945

Crew Photo Needed

Flying at the End of Hostilities

Rank Name Serial # Crew Pos / Job Title Date Status Comments
1Lt Cecil L Smith 0672685 Pilot 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
2Lt William C Finster 0771682 Co-pilot 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
2Lt Edward H Totman 02000384 Navigator 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
T/Sgt Robert C Rodewald 36283189 Radio Operator 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
T/Sgt Robert E Coyle 35803781 Flight Engineer 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
S/Sgt John J Dennin 32736542 Armorer-Gunner 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
S/Sgt Calvin V Sheriff 38441523 Armorer-Gunner 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
S/Sgt George J Kaye 12131094 Armorer-Gunner 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG
S/Sgt Raymond W Williams 32478586 Armorer-Gunner 20-Apr-45 FEH Assigned from 453rd BG

Assigned to the 752nd Squadron at the end of the air war in Europe, there is very little information on the Smith crew in the 458th records.  Having arrived in the ETO only five days prior to the Eighth Air Force’s cessation of bombing operations, they were able to fly the last mission of the war on April 25th.  Given their pay grades, and the fact that they flew combat so shortly after their arrival, they may have been an experienced crew having flown missions with the 453BG.

It is very possible that this crew was assigned to ferry a Liberator back to the United States.  See Ferry Crews.

Mission

SwingleMissioon
Date Target 458th Msn Pilot Msn Serial RCL Sqdn A/C Msn A/C Name Comments
25-Apr-45 BAD REICHENHALL 230 1 42-51110 M 7V 108 TOP O' THE MARK LAST 8AF MISSION

B-24H-25-DT 42-51110 7V P  Top O’ The Mark