Standing (L to R): Don Eaton (P); Jim Curley (CP); Hal Strack (N); Chad Trivett (B). Front Row: Andy Seidler (WG); Snuffy Strom (NG); Wilbur Parkin (RO); John Allen (WG); Dale White (TTG); Ernie Blair (TG)

Standing (L to R): Don Eaton (P), Jim Curley (CP), Hal Strack (N), Chad Trivett (B). Lower row (L to R): Andrew Seidler (R/O), Snuffy Strom (G), Wilbur Parkinson (BG), John Allen (WG), Dale White (F/E), and Ernest Blair (TG).

Front Row: Don Eaton (P); Jim Curly (CP); Hal Strack (N); Chad Trivett (B). Standing: Andy Seidler (WG); Snuffy Strom (NG); Wilbur Parkin (RO); John Allen (WG); Dale White (FE); Ernie Blair (TG)

  • EATON, Donald S, Pilot
  • CURLEY, James F, Co-Pilot
  • STRACK, Harold A., Navigator
  • TRIVETT, Stanley Chad, Bombardier
  • WHITE, Dale M, Ft/Eng,
  • PARKIN, Wilbur R, Radio/OP & Ball Gunner
  • SEIDLER, Andrew J, Assist R/Op & Wt Gunner
  • STROM, Kenneth P, Nose Gunner
  • ALLEN, John , Waist Gunner
  • BLAIR, Ernest R, Tail Gunner

719th Squadron

719logoDavid Councill was the original C.O. from July ‘43 to 8 December ’43 when he and his crew were lost during the movement overseas. Most of the 719th officer and NCO staff were among the 14 men lost aboard Councill’s aircraft. This placed the 719th in dire straits in January ’44. Arthur B. Swan took over as C.O. and began sorting things out in January ’44. He served as the C. O. until he received a serious combat wound on 23 April ‘44. Charles E. Harton from the 717th Squadron was selected to be the acting commander until Art Swan could reassume the position. When Swan was promoted to higher echelon, Harton continued as the acting C.O. until July ‘44. Harold R. Loughran, a lead crew pilot from the 717th became the 719th C.O. in July ‘44 and remained through September ’44. In September ‘44, William Allen became the C.O. and remained so until May ‘45.

42-50406

Acquired 26 May ’44. Crew chief was T/Sgt Adam Yellitz. Initially assigned to Don Eaton’s crew. Eaton named her “Headin’ Home” – the goal for the men of the 449th. This ship flew at least 96 sorties and was one of the sixty 449th aircraft flown to the Gioia depot on 29 April ’45 when the 449th was removed from the combat line. She was later ferried back across the Atlantic to the USA by another bomb group crew.

Pictures of Headin’ Home

HeadinHome1

HeadinHome2

Tail shot by Ju-88

Eaton crew looking at tire shot out by flak

HeadinHome3

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