B-24 bomber "C. E. 'Shack'" with crew on the ground. 425th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bombardment Group.
Names painted on the nose of "C. E. 'Shack'" include those of 2nd Lt. Gordon C. Weems (copilot), 2nd Lt. Charles R. Thompson (navigator), and an unknown "Chick," who was possibly bombardier. (Info courtesy of deployment name list.)
The crew apparently trained together at Pueblo Army Air Base, which was used as an advanced flying school to train B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator four engine heavy bomber crews. The crew largely stayed together as they shipped to the CBI.
According to 308th Bombardment Group Tribute (thanks Tony Strotman!), the original members of the crew of B-24 #41-24292, ("C. E. Shack) were:
- Richard D. Furbush, 2Lt, Pilot
- Gordon C. Weems, 2Lt, Copilot
- Newell G. Monget Jr., 2Lt, Bombardier
- Charles R. Thompson, 2Lt, Navigator
- Francis W. Sadler, TSgt, Engineer
- Williamd G. Thompson, SSgt, Radio
- Charles E. Hanks, Sgt, Asst Engineer
- Herman D. Jones, Sgt, Asst Radio
- Louis Kne, Sgt, Gunner