UPL 65511
IMAGEBeard Crew 603, 856th BS, 492nd BG. Back row, left to right: Charles Beard, pilot; Kenneth Sousa, co-pilot; Thomas Woolsey, navigator; James Wolslager, bombardier; Front row, left to right: Robert Denney, radio operator; Tyler Posner, gunner; Israel Eiferman, gunner; Kenneth Brandt, gunner; Richard Paules, engineer. Not Pictured: Albert McFadden, gunner. The Beard Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Their ship was nicknamed, "BIG FAT MAMA." In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft, 44-40067, to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. 2nd Lt James Ferguson, the squadron's Armament and Chemical Officier accompanied them, thus bumping Sgt. McFadden onto the Queen Elizabeth. The Crew transferred to the 801st/492 BG, 858th BS, when the Group disbanded. They completed their 30 mission tour there.
Connections
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Units
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-309009
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 35155970
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 37502698
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 12110903
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 801st Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 34385976
- Role/Job: D
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron 44th Bomb Group
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Big Fat Mama
- Unit: 466th Bomb Group 492nd Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron 93rd Bomb Group 579th Bomb Squadron 328th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Night Knight
- Unit: 389th Bomb Group 566th Bomb Squadron 492nd Bomb Group 858th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Gambling Lady
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 93rd Bomb Group 329th Bomb Squadron 857th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
Locations
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: North Pick
Revisions
Photo courtesy of David Denney, son of Sgt Robert Denney, Debbie Dozier, niece of Charles Beard. http://www.492ndbombgroup.com/photos/crew-photos/603-Beard-01.html