36th/856th BS

Swarts Crew

Picture Details: Don Couteau

Standing, left to right:
Bernard J. Beverly    -    Radio Operator
Charles T. Butler     -    Engineer
Don J. Couteau        -    Tail Gunner
LeRoy L. Weese        -    UTG (Orphaned)
Ralph F. Shiller      -    BTG 
Justin Herman         -    Nose Gunner (Orphaned)

Kneeling, left to right:
Robert J. Swarts, Jr. -    Pilot
Frank L. Vonderau     -    Copilot
Donald L. Barrett     -    Bombardier
Grayson Cocharo       -    Navigator

Crew Details: Don Couteau

Combat Period: Began August 1944. Swarts and Cocharo flew with St. Clair on their first mission (Marc 19) on the night of 8/9 August 1944.  On their 5th mission a loaded Very pistol fell from a shelf discharging as the plane entered the DZ (Bob 228) setting fire to the blackout curtains and the straw packing of the packages in the hold.  Butler was burned while putting out the fires and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Aircraft Details: Tom Brittan

B24H 42-50375

Not Named

Salvaged 31 May 45 at BAD 3

Errata: Following the September 1944 period the crew was broken up and for a short time Couteau and others were part of the 859th BS.  But this was changed and they avoided going to Italy with that squadron.

Aircraft Details: Tom Brittan

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