Crewmen in the U.S. Eighth Air-Force don their "Mae West" life preservers before boarding their B-17 "Big Bitch." (scanned by HOS Bandit)

B-17 Crew

Flown by Lt. Henry E Girzi Jr.of Superior, WI, 505th Fighter Squadron,339th FG P-51D 44-14776 6N-O "Arrow Head". This a/c was lost on 6 February 1945 with Lt. Kessler O Thomas being KIA returning from a mission when he crash landed at Nuthampstead due to bad weather conditions.

"Arrow Head"

                     Jessie D. Franks
Died in the ill-fated Ploesti Raid. He jumped from his burning B-24 at treetop level and his chute did not open. "One never knows what tomorrow may bring." he had written his father the night before.  (scanned by HOS Bandit)