546th Bomb Squadron Model Crew
Back, L-R: Lt. James McClanahan (Bombardier), Lt. Philip Algar (Pilot), Lt. Richard Wolf (Co-Pilot), Lt. Frank Celentano (Navigator)
Front, L-R: Sgt. John Schimenek (Tail Gunner), Sgt. Casmer Majewski (Waist Gunner), Sgt. Roland Laviolette (Top Turret Gunner), Sgt. Loring Miller (Waist Gunner), Sgt. Francis Gerow (Radio Operator), Sgt. Kenneth McKay (Ball Turret Gunner)
Aircraft: Doris Mae⇗ | Courtesy of Quentin Bland and 384thBombGroup.com⇗
The Model Crews of the 384th Bomb Group were the first crews assigned to each squadron and led the way into combat. From those who completed their tours to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, their legacies define the early spirit of the Group. These ten-man teams were the hand-picked core of the Group. Chosen for their sharp skills, test scores, and natural leadership abilities, these men would set the bar for the squadrons, and they were the first to face the unknowns.
On New Year’s Eve, 1942, at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, the first three model crews were assigned to the 544th, 545th, and 546th Bomb Squadrons.
The 544th’s Model Crew was led by 2nd Lt. Kelmer Jim Hall⇗ and Crew 41. While these crew numbers appear in the records, they were not a permanent identity. The crew numbers were mainly used by leadership to keep track of who was available, and because of crew losses or transfers, the numbers were constantly being changed and reused. Even before departing for England, some of the original crewmembers were replaced.
Things got off to a rocky start for the 2nd Lt. Hall crew. During their ferrying flight to England, they experienced engine failures and were forced to ditch in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Labrador, making them the Group’s first crew to do so. After being rescued by a Canadian minesweeper, the men were transported back to Maine before eventually making it to England aboard a C-54 transport.
While the crew finally rejoined the Group at Grafton Underwood, the ordeal took its toll. Most were immediately cleared for duty, but others were not. 1st Lt. Herbert Schindler⇗ did not return to flying status until much later, and Sgt. Donald Harden⇗ never resumed flying at all. Even after arriving in England, the crew lineup continued to shift due to injuries, illness and transfers. Just over a month after their arrival, the Hall crew was shot down during a mission to Hamburg on July 25, 1943 on board Thundermug (B-17F 42-29670)⇗.
Two of the crewmembers, S/Sgt. Holgate Dean⇗ (Waist Gunner) and Sgt. Kenneth Harland⇗ (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner) were killed in action. Eight of the crewmembers were captured and taken prisoners of war: 2nd Lt. Kelmer Jim Hall (Pilot), F/O Bradley Briscoe Summers⇗ (Co-pilot), 2nd Lt. James David Crary⇗ (Navigator), 1st Lt. Herbert Schindler (Bombardier), T/Sgt. Edward Raine Keathley⇗ (Radio Operator), S/Sgt. Lawrence Joseph Reandeau⇗ (Ball Turret Gunner), S/Sgt. George Dewey McCulley⇗ (Tail Gunner), and S/Sgt. Max Burton Veber⇗ (Waist Gunner). McCulley and Sgt. Veber were also wounded and recipients of the Purple Heart.
2nd Lt. Kelmer Hall Crew after ditching
Back, L-R: S/Sgt. Holgate Dean (Waist Gunner, KIA), Sgt. Kenneth Harland (Top Turret Gunner, KIA), T/Sgt. Edward Keathley (Radio Operator, POW), 2nd Lt. Kelmer J. Hall (Pilot, POW), 2nd Lt. Herber Schindler (Bombardier, POW), F/O Bradley Summers (Co-Pilot, POW), 2nd Lt. James Crary (Navigator, POW)
Front, L-R: Sgt. Donald Harden (Waist Gunner, Transferred), Pvt. Clifford Spradlin (Ball Turret Gunner, Completed Tour), S/Sgt. Max Veber (Tail Gunner, POW) | Courtesy of Mark Meehl, Ken Decker, and 384thBombGroup.com⇗
The next Model Crew assigned was to the 545th Bomb Squadron. Led by 2nd Lt. Richard Thompson Carrington Jr.⇗ and Crew 51, their early history reflected the often chaotic assembly of crews, with the squadron's first reports noting only the quantities of lieutenants and sergeants, rather than their names. Less than two months after arriving in England, the 2nd Lt. Carrington crew were shot down on August 12, 1943 on board The Inferno (B-17F 42-3231)⇗.
Four of the crewmembers remain missing in action to this day: T/Sgt. Arthur Edward Brittain⇗ (Radio Operator), S/Sgt. Win Richard Smalley⇗ (Ball Turret Gunner), S/Sgt. Walter Carl Parkins⇗ (Tail Gunner), and S/Sgt. Floyd Montell Wingate⇗ (Waist Gunner). Six of the crewmembers were captured and taken prisoners of war: 2nd Lt. Richard Thompson Carrington, Jr (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Harvey Charles Esty⇗ (Co-pilot), 1st Lt. Robin Everett Taber⇗ (Navigator), Capt. Michael Hayes Smithwick⇗ (Bombardier), T/Sgt. Phillip Elbert Schmidlapp⇗ (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner), and S/Sgt. Joseph Anton Scholand⇗ (Waist Gunner).
Back, L-R: 2nd Lt. Harvey C. Esty (Co-Pilot, POW), 2nd Lt. Richard T. Carrington Jr. (Pilot, POW), Capt. Michael H. Smithwick (Bombardier, POW), 1st Lt. Robin Everett Taber (Navigator, POW)
Front, L-R: S/Sgt. Walter C. Parkins (Tail Gunner, MIA) S/Sgt. Joseph A. Scholand (Waist Gunner, POW), T/Sgt. Arthur E. Brittain (Radio Operator, MIA), S/Sgt. Floyd M. Wingate (Waist Gunner), S/Sgt. Win R. Smalley (Ball Turret Gunner, MIA), T/Sgt Phillip E. Schmidlapp (Top Turret Gunner, POW) | Courtesy of 384thBombGroup.com⇗
Not all of these early stories ended in loss. The 546th’s Model Crew, led by 2nd Lt. Philip Morris Algar⇗, and Crew 61, became a symbol of hope and endurance for the men at Grafton Underwood. Nearly all members of this crew completed their tour, with the exception of S/Sgt. Loring Corwin Miller⇗, who was wounded in action on his 12th mission. S/Sgt. Miller was seriously wounded on August 17, 1943 while on board Lucky Thirteen (B-17F 42-3455)⇗.
Serving as the right waist gunner during a bombing mission over Germany, S/Sgt. Miller was knocked down and severely injured when his aircraft took a direct flak hit. Despite the intense pain, he refused help and courageously returned to his station to fight off enemy fighters. He remained at his gun until his pilot, 2nd Lt. Algar ordered T/Sgt. Francis Gerow⇗ (Radio Operator) to administer first aid. For his unwavering devotion to duty, S/Sgt. Miller was awarded the Silver Star.
The final Model Crew assignment was on January 27, 1943, with 1st Lt. James William Smith⇗ and Crew 71. On just their second mission on July 25, 1943, their aircraft, B-17F 42‑5850⇗ was shot down. T/Sgt. Robert Harrison Buckley⇗ (Engineer/Top Turret Gunner) was killed in action, and the rest of the crew became prisoners of war. Famously on board this mission was Maj. Selden McMillin (Deputy Group Commander). Some of Crew 71’s original crewmembers, who were later replaced, reunited in the POW camps.
Being a Model Crew meant stepping into the unknown with unwavering courage. The 384th’s identity was built by these first crews. Whether they were shot down, or completed their tours against all odds, their stories remain deeply etched in the Group’s history. The grit of these original crews set the standard for the thousands who would eventually follow them into the flak-filled skies of Europe.
Further details on these original model crews, as well as their original crewmembers and replacements can be found on the 384th Bomb Group research website:
544th Bomb Squadron Model Crew⇗
545th Bomb Squadron Model Crew⇗
546th Bomb Squadron Model Crew⇗
547th Bomb Squadron Model Crew⇗
Information courtesy of 384thBombGroup.com⇗