|
|
Hobert R. Maddux Crew
722nd Squadron
|
|
Back Row - Left to Right:
2nd Lt. Robert W. Poore - Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. Hobert R. Maddux - Pilot
2nd Lt. Frank M. Ryan - Navigator
2nd Lt. Vernon J. Tipton - Bombardier
Front Row - Left to Right:
S/Sgt. James A. Forti - Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Harold D. Bosserman - Ball Turret/Engineer
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Ryan - Tail Turret
S/Sgt. Edwin F. Vrla - Left Waist Gunner
T/Sgt. Harold C. Vlass - Top Turret/Engineer
T/Sgt. Richard Van Roden - Right Waist Gunner/Radio Operator
|
The crew were shot down by the Germans while bombing submarine pens at Tulon, France on April 29, 1944 by direct hit ground to air fire.
Frank Ryan drowned in the water at Tulon France and Thomas Ryan and Edwin Vrla went down with the plane.
Harold Bosserman was the last crew member to get out of the plane before it went into a spin by pulling himself out of the escape door.
He hit his face on the camera positioned below the door and was injured during the escape.
Robert Poore, Hobert Maddux, Vernon Tipton, Harold Bosserman, Harold Vlass, and Richard Van Roden were all captured by the Nazis.
James Forti did not fly on the fatal mission but his replacement, Sgt. Wymond D. Shrum, did get out of the plane.
|
Link To MACR #4614
Information courtesy of Tracy Leigh Wills, granddaughter of Harold Bosserman
If any information is being used out of context or if you would like to use some of this information, please contact the Webmasters
Terms of Use and Disclaimer Statement
Copyright © 2001 - 2008, Mark Worthington, Craig Linn & the 450th Association
|
