856th BS

Heran Crew

Of course they're smiling, they're going home!!!  Donald and Donna Heran have identified the following in the picture, taken early July 1945 at Harrington:

Back Row, L to R:
Unidentified
Unidentified
Calvin D. Johnson     - Tailgunner
Unidentified
J.C. McBrayer         - Dispatcher

Middle Row, L to R:
Horace D. Smith       - Crew Chief
Unidentified
Archie W. Vernon         - Gunner
Two unidentified         - barracks caps
Two unidentified         - fatigue caps

Front row, L to R:
Edward L. Schmitten      - Gunner
William T. Wright        - Copilot
Donald A. Fischer        - Bombardier
Donald F. Heran          - Pilot
Donald J. McHale         - Radio Operator

Not in the Picture:
Clayton S. Berger        - Navigator

The following passenger names were listed on "Operations Order # 7, Par 13, Hqs, 856th BS (H), AAF 179, APO 557, 28 June 1945," and are likely to be among the unidentified passengers in the photo: 


Sgt. Augustine S. Babcock, Passenger 
Sgt. John C. Carter, Passenger 
Sgt. Eugene E. Hankinson, Passenger 
Cpl. Henry Kaplan, Passenger 
Sgt. Ivan J. Kent, Passenger 
Sgt. Frederick C. Lauer, Passenger 
S/Sgt. Walter C. McCollum, Passenger 
Sgt. Thomas G. Morrow, Jr., Passenger 
Sgt. Otto M. Schurman, Passenger 

Status: Late arrivals, probably in January of 1945, they flew the most dangerous of missions; to Denmark and Norway in miserable winter weather.  The above picture is an "RZI" (Return to the Zone of the Interior) photo shot on the day of departure from Harrington - 9 July 1945 and includes ground crew and passengers. An excellent 8-man crew picture is also available, but the names have not been matched to the faces.

Picture Location: Harrington
Picture Date:     July 1945 

Photo and Name Credits:  Donna Heran

Preferred Aircraft: B24D 42-40992  "The Red Ball Express"

Combat Period: Probably Feb-Apr 45

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