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39th Bomb Group (VH)
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King Crew
B-29 # unknown

Photo courtesy of Glenn Carmen, 316th BW webmaster
Click image to enlarge

L to R Standing:
#1 T/Sgt Edwin S. Goodnow, Flight Engineer; # 2 2nd Lt Jack W. Coates, Radar Observer, # 5 2nd Lt Robert H. Mohrman, Navigator

L to R: Kneeling:
#4 T/Sgt William C. Merchant, CFC Gunner; #5
Sgt Wilford E. Christensen, Radio Operator 

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 King Crew  
Honor Roll 
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2nd Lt Jack W. Coates
Radar Observer
Jan 1997


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

Anyone with information or contacts for this crew please email: updates@39th.org

60th Sqduadron Index
Source: Glen Carmen, Rick & Edwin Goodnow; Barry Coates, GO-25 16 Aug 1945 Battle Participation Award