850th/857th BS

Byerley Crew

850th BS History, February 1944: "The Squadron received its first "Fly-away" ship, Number 129561, Saturday 26 February (1944), which was assigned to Group crew number 60, piloted by Second Lieutenant, Robert L. Byerley.  The arrival of the new ship kindled a new interest among the crews as latest improvements were noted and made the subject of conversation. The arrival of additional planes was eagerly awaited."

Picture credits and names: Morris Zavesky

Standing, L-R:
Morris J. Zavesky         - Gunner
Ralph C. Haines           - Bombardier
Howard M. Drescher        - Copilot
Robert T. Byerley         - Pilot
Robert F. Carlisle        - Navigator
Homer F. Townley, Jr.,    - Radio Operator

Kneeling, L-R:
Paul Novichenk            - Gunner    (Orphaned) (KIA)
Jesus G. Salazar          - Gunner    (Orphaned)
Ralph H. Lyons            - Engineer
Theodore J. Ryczek        - Gunner

Novichenk is listed as KIA with the 448th BG on 6 Nov 44 on  MACR 10348.

Combat Period: May-September 1944. 

Status: Original 490th BG crew, arrived at Harrington at the end of May 1944. Late starters (1st Combat Mission in July of '44), they achieved 28 missions by the end of September 1944, and had to stay on until they could get in their 35 sorties.

Preferred Aircraft:  B24J 42-50607 Q or B24H 41-29607 L
 
Data from July 1944 indicate the following for the crew:

Pilot	MR#	Date	Target	Aircraft
Byerley	1028	14	Stationer 175	B24J 42-50607 Q
Byerley	1061	16	Percy 19A	B24H 41-29607 L
Byerley	1111	18	Percy 19	B24H 41-29607 L
Byerley	1138	19	Donald 108	B24H 41-29607 L
Byerley	1175	23	Ventriloquist 48A	B24H 42-95290 J
Byerley	1312	30	Paul 60D	B24J 42-50607 Q
Byerley	1338	31	Scientist 115A	B24J 42-50607 Q

All targets for the month were French. 607 L returned to the ZI on 9 Jul 45 as "California Baby" and is pictured in the B24 section of this website. 607 Q crash landed on 29 Jun 45 when it overshot the runway. here.

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