Non-384th Crew.
April 2016: Recent information received from the son of Sam Smart identifies the members of this crew - and none (save Smart, back row, left) served with the 384th! This is likely a crew training photo taken in the USA, possibly as Smart was preparing to return to combat. Note the 8th AF shoulder emblem and the air medal ribbon (and possible Distinguished Flying Cross) on the EM at right, and the Distinguished Unit Citation ribbon worn by Smart (also his rank of S/Sgt was earned at Grafton Underwood), which indicate prior combat duty. Two crewmembers are Corporals, which indicates this crew has not been placed on combat status in-theater, as the lowest rank (generally) for active combat crews is Sergeant.
Back row, left-to-right: S/Sgt. Samuel Hayes (Sammy) Smart (Waist); S/Sgt. R. Bouchard, 480 Amory St., Manchester, N.H. (Radio); Cpl. H. Carroll, Star Route, Lingle, Wyo. (Ball); Cpl H. Arnold, 528 Wl First St., Elmira, N.Y. (Tail); SSgt. S. Taylor, 222 Lafayette St., New Haven, Conn. (Eng.).
Front row, left-to-right: F/O Richard Keister III, Washington, D.C. (Navigator); F/O Harmon F. Newberger, 1316 State St., Harrisburg, Pa. (Co-Pilot); I-Lt. A. H. Johnson, Clarkfield, Minnesota (Pilot); I-Lt. D. A. Gilboe, 4528 Vancouver, Detroit, Mich. (Bombardier).
Identifications provided by Walter A Smart (son of Sam Smart), April 2016.
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Superceded commentary:
Undated photo, possibly taken at Grafton Underwood in November 1943. The 8th AF patch on the shoulder of the individual at the right, and the general absence of service ribbons, indicate this was early in their duty with the 384th.
Individuals not identified on photo. Also, it looks like one crewmember is missing.
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Photo courtesy of Walter A Smart, 2013.
- Author
- Walter A. Smart
- Created on
- Thursday 7 February 2013
- Posted on
- Thursday 7 February 2013
- Dimensions
- 3000*2400
- File
- WS002.jpg
- Filesize
- 5511 KB
- Visits
- 2484
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