788th/859th BS
Driscoll Crew
Shown here at Wendover AAB, Utah as a 9-man crew, in January 1944 as crew W-21 of the 467th BG, the Driscoll crew have been identified in this picture as follows:
Back Row, L-R:
Ken Driscoll - Pilot
Edward Halpin - Copilot
Harold Pantis - Navigator (POW)
Joseph Fox - Bombardier
Kneeling, L-R:
George Brannan - Waist Gunner (KIA)
James Bridges - Engineer
Robert Brink - Radio Operator
James Wright - Waist Gunner
Blair Henry - Tailgunner
Missing from Picture: Richard Creighton, Gunner (KIA)
George Brannan and Richard Creighton were KIA on a daylight mission 8 May 1944. Harold Pantis became a POW on the same day. Robert Ricketts was assigned as Navigator of the crew three days later when the Driscoll crew were attached to the 801st BG. Driscoll's crew thus began at Harrington not having to orphan anyone as many other crews had to do.
Picture and Names Credit: Ken Driscoll
Combat Period: May-Aug 1944 (at Harrington)
Errata: A near-perfect drop record for 30 missions, only two
missions were not completed.Preferred Aircraft: B24H 42-95262 D
Data from July 1944 indicate the following for the crew:
Pilot MR# Date Target Aircraft Driscoll
816
2
Hamish 1
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
827
4
Scientist 107
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
859
5
Spiritualist 8
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
911
7
Gondolier 13
B24H 42-50382 K
Driscoll
934
8
Stationer 137
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
972
10
Frederick 6
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
984
11
Wheelwright 156
B24H 42-95231 J
Driscoll
1043
14
Diplomat 5C
B24J 42-50584 M
Driscoll
1186
23
Hermit 19
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
1213
24
Hugh 5
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
1244
26
Diplomat 8
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
1272
28
Permit 4
B24H 42-95262 D
Driscoll
1341
31
Licensee 2
B24H 42-95262 D
Reportedly named "Varga Belle" when it belonged to a previous Bomb Group, it was transferred to the MTO on 18 December 1944, flown by Robert Brandenburg and crew.
Aircraft Details Credit: Tom Brittan
