"Goon"crew. The crew pictured flew in The GOON in 1943.
MACR 12413:
"The Goon"
B-24D-20-CO Liberator
s/n 41-24183
374th BS, 308th BG, 14th AF
Lost on February 1,1945 mission to bomb/mine the harbor at Hong Kong.
While headed to target the aircraft developed engine trouble severe enough to force most of the crew to bail out. Three of the crew stayed with the plane and managed to get it the base at Kweilin,China. Five of the seven who bailed out were returned to duty and two were listed as MIA (later KIA).
Crew on Feb. 1,1945 (some are in photo):
Capt. Samuel J. Skousen - Pilot (stayed with plane, RTD)
1st Lt. Ralph E. Bowers,Jr. - CoPilot (bailed out, RTD)
1st Lt. Daniel J. Palmer - Navigator (bailed out, RTD)
1st Lt. Malcolm S. Sanders - Bombardier (bailed out, KIA)
T/Sgt. Archie L. Fleharty - Engineer/Gunner (stayed with plane, RTD)
T/Sgt. William J. Novak - Radio Operator (stayed with plane, RTD)
T/Sgt. Arthur J. Benko - Gunner/Asst. Engineer (bailed out, KIA)
S/Sgt. Casper J. Chirieleison - Gunner/Asst. Radio Operator (bailed out, RTD)
T/Sgt. Robert M. Kirk - Gunner (bailed out, RTD)
Capt. James S. Edney - Observer (bailed out, RTD)