856th/858th BS
Shager Crew
The crew had previously flown with Bernt Balchen's group at Leuchars, Scotland, dropping supplies to the Norwegian Resistance. While there, each crew member flew a minimum of seven combat missions. After two weeks with the 2nd BD following the cessation of Balchen's 'Project Ball' Special Orders #178, dtd 14 October 1944,
gives the date of their appearance at Harrington.
Os L-R Standing:
Robert H. Shager - Pilot
ASN T-123727 later 02000312
Harold R. Ward - Copilot
ASN T-2455
Raymond H. Tilton - Bombardier
ASN 0716895
William V. Trent - Navigator
ASN T-125229 later 02000336
EMs L-R Kneeling:
Alfred T. Martinez - Gunner
ASN 18202282
Alfred B. Lindquist - Gunner
ASN 12227118
Ralph R. Fulkerson - Engineer
ASN 36647631
Ralph W. Covinsky - Gunner
ASN 37618892
Albertus E. Davidson - Radio Operator
ASN 32755888
Not shown, probably orphaned:
Kenneth F. Leinninger - Gunner
ASN 32578641
Martin L. Voisin - MOS unreadable
ASN 18150128
In Special Orders #234, dtd 11 December 1944 they were reassigned to the 858th BS, minus Voisson and Leinninger.
Leinninger changed his MOS to Radio Operator in November of 1944. The crew's 1945 activities have not yet been researched.
