Crew Included: James Grimmer (P); John Rhoades; Martin Roth; Wesley Cease; Gerald Danison; Donald Murray; Fredrick Craine; Warren Hollingsworth; Willard Sherman.

  • GRIMMER, James C., Pilot
  • RHOADES, John J., Co-Pilot – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • ROTH, Martin E., Navigator – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • MARTIN, Joseph W., Bombardier – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • DANISON, Gerald V., Flight/Eng – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • BRENNEN, James W, Nose Gunner – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • MURRAY, Donald E., R/Op, Rt Waist – KIA 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • HOLLINGSWORTH, Warren W., Rt Waist Gunner – KIA 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • SHERMAN, Willard M., Tail Gunner – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • CRAIN, Frederick N., Ball Turret Gunner – POW 4 April 1944 Kendall
  • CEASE, Wesley L.

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.

Dixie Belle

Dixie Belle Dixie Belle Dixie Belle Dixie Belle

An original cadre ship acquired 1 November ’43 and assigned to Grimmer’s crew who flew her overseas in December ’43. The pilot named her after a girl friend in Topeka, just before leaving for overseas. Crew chief Sgt. Rudolph  Lesquere. The “Belle” was downed over Bucharest, Romania, on the 4 April ’44 Presidential Unit Citation mission with Kendall’s crew aboard ̐ 2 KIA and 8 POW. MACR 4205.

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An original cadre ship acquired 1 November ‘43 and assigned to Grimmer’s crew who flew her overseas in December ‘43. The pilot named her after a girl friend in Topeka, just before leaving for overseas. Crew chief Sgt. Rudolph Lesquere. The “Belle” was downed over Bucharest, Romania, on the 4 April ’44 Presidential Unit Citation mission with Kendall’s crew aboard – 2 KIA and 8 POW. MACR 4205.

Pictures of Dixie Belle

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