Huggard - #75
Thanks to John Sheafe for this photo of Crew #75
Standing L-R: Huggard, Harry G. (P); Keedle, Ralph H. (CP); Murphy, Charles F. (N); Marshall, William D. (B); Delcollo, Anthony J. Sr. (TG)
Squatting L-R: Henspeter, Marlo R. (E/TTG); Augustine, Joseph T. (LWG); Boyer, James J. (RO/RWG); Urban, Kenneth A. (NG); Scott, Robert E. (BTG)
From Pete Henspeter, top turret gunner and engineer:
"We were on a trip to Weiner Neustadt, Austria. I don't know what position we were flying that day, but usually it was 'tail-end charlie' as our plane was called the 'Purple Shaft'. This was our 18th mission and we encountered heavy flak. Kenny Urban got hit in the foot so that was the end of his flying as he was in and out of hospitals for a long time. Harry Huggard, the pilot, told me #3 engine was out due to a direct hit and #2 was only at 1/2 power so we went home on #1 and #4 engines. Whenever we got into trouble Charles Murphy, navigator, would always say Switzerland was always such and such heading, but Kenny's foot needed attention so we headed home, shot off a red flair, landed and the ambulance met us and took Kenny away. I was busy transferring fuel to #1 and #4 as they were busy taking us home."
Courtesy of Stephen Boyer
James J. Boyer (RO/G) with local boys
Courtesy of Stephen Boyer
James J. Boyer (RO/G) relaxing on wheels while awaiting court martial. It seems he was told to fly without an electric heat suit and he refused.