850th BS

McNiel Crew

Shown here at Mountain Home AAF in late March 1944, the McNeil crew were the first combat loss of the 850th BS.   On their third combat mission into France during the night of June 18/19 1944, their plane hit a tree in the DZ and crashed, all aboard were killed.

Back Row, L-R:
Jerome J. Hummel        - Radio Operator     (KIA)
Robert F. Siebert       - Bombardier         (KIA)
Joseph P. Bova          - Navigator          (KIA)  
Glen D. Thompson        - Copilot            (KIA)
John R. McNiel          - Pilot              (KIA)
Henry H. Ricard         - Engineer           (KIA)

Front Row, L-R:
Fred H. Lowery          - Nose Gunner        (KIA)
James E. Crisman        - Ball Turret Gunner (Orphaned) 
Williston Mosher        - Tailgunner         (Orphaned) Returned to Eye, 849th BS, Ellenburg crew.
Fred Monico             - Top Turret Gunner  (KIA)

The crew is seen here with B24H 42-94981, their "flyover" aircraft which was left at Eye.  Chrisman and Mosher were released at Cheddington. Photo courtesy of Bill and Tina Gold, relatives of the Siebert family.

Incident Aircraft: B24H 42-51124

Aircraft Details Credit: Tom Brittan 

MACR 5911

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