William F Melaun
Military
media-22848.jpeg
UPL 22848
Richard P Rice Crew (Training-September 22, 1944)
Front L-R: 2LT Bob Hacker, 2LT Richard P. Rice, 2LT Bill Melaun
Rear L-R: T/S Bob Dirchs-Waist Gunner, T/S Jack Chapman-Nose Gunner, T/S Dick Rinto-Tail Gunner, T/S Dwight Hoff-Flight Engineer/Top Turret, T/S Ray Roberts-Waist Gunner, T/S Ray Snook-Radio Operator.
Despite previous remarks, this photo is not associated with "The Flying Jackass", which was flown by Rice crew on Wesel Supply MIssion 24Mar45 and ultimately destroyed by Lancaster which ran into it while parked at Manston due to hydraulic failure due to flak.
Front L-R: 2LT Bob Hacker, 2LT Richard P. Rice, 2LT Bill Melaun
Rear L-R: T/S Bob Dirchs-Waist Gunner, T/S Jack Chapman-Nose Gunner, T/S Dick Rinto-Tail Gunner, T/S Dwight Hoff-Flight Engineer/Top Turret, T/S Ray Roberts-Waist Gunner, T/S Ray Snook-Radio Operator.
Despite previous remarks, this photo is not associated with "The Flying Jackass", which was flown by Rice crew on Wesel Supply MIssion 24Mar45 and ultimately destroyed by Lancaster which ran into it while parked at Manston due to hydraulic failure due to flak.
Corrected nae Dierks to Dirchs and associated person - https://digitalarchive.2ndair.org.uk/digitalarchive/ImageBrowser?tx=491…
Connections
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Units served with
- 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: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Modest Maiden
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
Revisions
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
491st BG Roster / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia