Dailies of the 323rd - the 91st Bomb Group!

excellent work in this connection. However, experienced and
capable leadership to guide them and the knowledge of the results
of the job well done contribute more to maintain the morale among
men than any other factors. The men realize the importance of
their jobs and have the satisfaction of knowing of the part they
are playing in the greatest event in the World's History. No
wonder their morale is excellent.
rd 323 DAILIES, 1944, May Prepared by Capt. Laurence E. Baird
1 May 1944: There was a mission with the Roundhouse and
Marshalling Yards of the enemy located at Troyes, France, as the
target. Results of bombing were good. Eleven ships of this
squadron participated as follows; Ship #490, Lt. Col. Berry,
Squadron, Commander, and the “A” crew, leading first combat wing;
#276, Lt. Thomas and crew; #542, Capt. Ranzoni and crew; #504,
st
Lt. Bruce and crew; #392 (401 ) Lt. McCardle and crew; #234,
Capt. Kuehl and crew; #563, Lt. Klinger and crew; #975, Lt.
Knight and crew; #636, Lt. Riser and crew; #075, Lt. Pryor and
crew; and #151, Lt. Kovachevich and crew. All crews and ships
dropped their bombs and returned safely to base except one. Ship
st
#392 (401 ), Lt. McCardle and crew, was shot down by enemy flak
as it was approaching the coast on its way back from the target
area. The following crew- members are missing in action: Pilot,
1/Lt. Albert F. McCardle; Copilot, 2/Lt. Joseph Vandenboom;
Navigator, 2/Lt. Clifford A. Stanton, Jr.; Bombardier, 2/Lt.
Everett D. Lunde; Engineer, S/Sgt. Billy J. Standley; Ass’t.
Engineer; Donald Kowall; Radio Operator, S/Sgt. Roy Newmann;
Assistant Radio Operator, Sgt. Rex Silver; Tail Gunner, S/Sgt.
Guy Johnson; Ball Turret Gunner, Harold McMurray.
Ship #151, was involved in an accident as it landed due to faulty
brakes. It ran into three trucks that were parked nearby and
damaged them considerably. The ship was also damaged, but none of
the crew injured.
Sgt. Harry LeBard, Tail Gunner on ship #504, was quite seriously
wounded by enemy flak that struck him in his foot.
Usual ground school and training activities were carried out by
combat men not flying on today’s mission.
Five new crews were transferred into the squadron, from the 324 th
Squadron. They are well trained and ready to participate in
active operational duty. Also, two new men were transferred into
the squadron. They are assigned as flexible gunners.
1/Lt. Charles M. Mooney, Bombardier, completed his tour of
missions on this date. He was a member of a crew that had just
th
transferred from the 324 .