41-28619 Begin The Beguine

Assigned 732BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Juvincourt. Shot down by a Marine Flak battery from Vlissingen, caught fire and exploded soon after. The main part of the plane crashed in Souburg, other pieces spread over a large area near Ritthem, West of Vlissingen, The Netherlands. Pilot John H. G. Raiser, Co-Pilot John F. Gentile, Bombardier Arthur L. Foreman (3 Prisoners of War). Radio Operator Joseph F. Sills, Top Turret gunner Lonnie Morris, Nose Turret gunner Robert W. Neily, Right Waist gunner George S. Layman, Left Waist gunner Alfred W. Larson and Tail Gunner Quinto B. Vittori (6 Killed In Action-KIA). Missing Air Crew Report-MACR 6232.

Connections

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Units served with

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39725258 at enlistment, then O-701423
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12170341 at enlistment, then O-818139
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33598302
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38404158
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 732nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18154535
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

between Souburg and Ritthem, The Netherlands 23 June 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Juvincourt. Shot down by flak, exploded and crashed near Vlissingen.

Manufactured

Tulsa, OK, USA Built at Douglas.

Delivered

Oklahoma, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Old Buckenham, UK Assigned 732BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 6232

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 6232 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database