| The
following came from Steve Smiesk, webmaster 330th
BG (VH) web site during a conversation with 1st Lt John Dickerson,
457th BS, 330th BG:
"Late
in June 1945, three crews of 8th Air Force 316th BW, 346th BS
received orders to take off for the Marianas where they would
fly with the 20th Air Force. The 314th BW needed replacement crews
and they were to absorb experience which they could later pass
on to their fellow crews. On 5 July 1945 'the 8th Air Force landed
on Guam' They were the only crews of their 316th BW squadron to
see combat."
Glenn
Carmen, who has a web site honoring his father's unit (333rd
BG, 316th BW), forwarded data from orders dated 18 Jun 1945
Issued by HQ PAAF (Pratt Army Air Field) Pratt, KS listing this
crew.
In February 2005 Rick
Goodnow, Son of T/Sgt Edwin S. Goodnow contacted our site to let
us know that his father's name was listed on our 60th Ground Personnel
Roster, however his father was part of an aircrew. He also sent
us the above photo and identified his father and T/Sgt Merchant.
Further
review of
General Order 25 Battle Participation Award 60th Bomb Squadron
dated 16 August 1945 where Goodnow's name was found also showed
11 men in all as being attached to the 39th BG. Goodwin's son
recalls his father mentioning "King"
which was one of the names indicated as attached.
Below
are rest of the names and postions (based on MOS) of the crew
per the PAAF orders received:
| 1st
Lt Robert B. King |
Airplane
Commander |
| 2nd
Lt Lewis B. Sloan. Jr. |
Pilot |
| 2nd
Lt Robert O. Roper |
Bombardier |
| S/Sgt
Daniel Rubin |
Gunner |
| S/Sgt
Richard W. Cummings |
Gunner |
| Cpl
Rudolph J. Kirincich |
Gunner |
|