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2nd Lt. Oscar J. Anderson Crew
720th Squadron |
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Original Signatures on the back of the photo
Rear L. to R.
2nd Lt. Oscar J. Anderson - Pilot
2nd Lt. William A. Clancy - Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Preston M. McKart - Navigator
2nd Lt. Frank L Wetzel - Bombardier
Front L. to R.
Sgt. Edmond A. Fretz Jr. - Engineer
Sgt. Fred G. Beck - Radio Operator
Sgt. Stratton W. Beesley - Armoreo/Tail Gunner
Sgt. Rocco J. Scavetta - Asst. Engineer/Nose Gunner
Cpl. Leon Rosenband - Top Turret
Cpl. William K. Gernheuser - Ball Turret
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The crew was formed in Tonopah, Nevada and in late 1943 picked up a new B-24 at Hamilton Field, Ca. From here they flew to West Palm Beach , Florida by way of
Phoenix, Az., Midland, Tx. and Memphis, Tenn.
After a few days in West Palm Beach it was off to Manduria, Italy via Trinidad, Belem, Brazil, Forteleza, Brazil, Dakar, Africa and Marraketch, Morroco.
After arriving in Manduria, the crew was split up and assigned to fly several missions with experienced crews, before flying together in combat.
On 29th April 1944 while flying their 11th mission, to bomb a U-Boat base in Toulon, France, the crew were shot down and forced to bail out 75 miles from the French coast,, in the Mediterranean Sea.
They were picked up three days later by a German amphibeous aircraft.
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Pictures & Information provided by Stratton W. Beesley, 720th Squadron
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