Front Row (L to R): Charles R. Lynch (CP); Lauber (B); 2nd Lt Wilfred L. Stagman (N); 1st Lt John M. McCormick (P); Back Row (L to R): Harry Dow (BG); Ivan L. Elsrod (TG); Howard Schattler (WG); Jesse Q. Lowe (WG); Arthur Van Arkel (E); Theodore Thompson (RO)
- McCORMICK, John M., Pilot – POW 4 April 1944 McCormick
- LYNCH, Charles R., Co-Pilot – POW 4 April 1944 McCormick
- STAGMAN, Wilfred L., Navigator – KIA 4 April 1944 McCormick
- LAUBER, Robert E., Bombardier
- VAN ARKEL, Arthur J., Flight/Eng. – KIA 4 April 1944 McCormick
- THOMPSON, Theodore G., Radio/Op. – KIA 4 April 1944 McCormick
- DOW, Harry D., Ball Gunner – KIA 4 April 1944 McCormick
- SCHATTLER, Howard F., Gunner – POW 4 April 1944 McCormick
- LOWE, Jesse Q, Wasit Gunner /Asst. Engineer – POW 4 April 1944 McCormick
- CHEATHAM, Charles E., – KIA 15 Jan 44 – FRONES
- THIETTEN, Boyd D.,
- ELSROD, Ivan L., Tail Gunner – POW 4 April 1944 McCormick
719th Squadron
David 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.
MACR 3702
41-29258
Acquired into the 449th on 8 February ’44 from the 451st Bomb Group. Formerly named “Satan’s Sister” which was changed just before transfer. The crew intended to rename her as “Hoosier Honey” but the ship was downed over Bucharest, Romania on 4 April ’44 (First Presidential Unit Citation mission) with McCormick’s crew aboard – 5 KIA and 5 POW in Romania. MACR 3702.
Pictures of Born To Lose
