Quick Search
358th Latshaw Crew
William E. Latshaw, Pilot
 Home About Us Contact Us Donate Newsletters 8th AFHS Links FAQ Facebook Search
 Personnel Aircraft Nose Art B-17 Thunderbird Ground Support Uniforms Journals More Info
 Mission Reports Combat Crews Individual Photos Photos POW KIA MACR Overseas Graves TAPS


WILLIAM E. LATSHAW CREW - 358th BS
B-17G #42-6086 My Blonde Baby 358BS (VK-L)
(crew assigned 358BS: 12 May 1944 - photo: 20 July 1944)

1Lt William E. Latshaw (P), 1Lt Robert A. Kirkland (CP)
1Lt Curtis E. Doan (B), 1Lt Wallis S. Ivy, Jr. (N)

T/Sgt Donald E. Pickens (E), T/Sgt Andrew W. Tidwell (R), S/Sgt Horace J. Miller (WG)
S/Sgt William B. Ginn (BT), S/Sgt Joseph A. Murphy (WG), S/Sgt Warren L. Hedrick (TG)

(Crewmen names are not in order -- Ranks and grades at time of last combat mission.)

Thirty-one dispatched and credited combat missions of 1Lt William E. Latshaw:
158 (23 May 1944), 159, 160, 164, 165, 167, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 190, 191, 195, 195, 196, 197, 202, 204, 206, 207 (19 July 1944).
For Mission dates, targets and Mission Reports, see Combat Missions.

Crew Notes:

  • 1Lt William E. Latshaw (P). Flew on thirty-one credited combat missions. First three missions (158, 159, 160) flown as CoPilot with Combat Orientation Pilot 1Lt Charles M. Hall. Other missions flown as First Pilot. Last mission flown on 19 July 1944 (Mission 207).
  • 2Lt Robert A. Kirkland (CP) - Dispatched on 32 credited missions; With 1Lt Latshaw (24 missions - All 1Lt Latshaw missions except for seven missions - 158, 159, 160, 202, 204, 206, 207); With another Pilot (One mission - 159). Upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot and flew on seven missions as First Pilot (204, 205, 206, 207, 211, 212, 213). Last mission flown on 28 July 1944 (Mission 213).
  • 1Lt Wallace F. Ivy, Jr. (N) - Dispatched on 31 credited missions: With 1Lt Latshaw (26 missions - all 1Lt Latshaw missions except for seven missions (158, 159, 160, 181, 182, 197, 204); With other :Pilots (2 missions - 181, 182), With Other Lead Crew Pilots (3 missions - 197, 205, 208). Missions 158 and 159 flown as Bombardier. Last mission flown on 20 July 1944 (Mission 208).
  • 1Lt Curtis E. Doan (B) - Dispatched on 32 credited missions: With 1Lt Latshaw (23 missions - all of 1Lt Latshaw missions except for 8 missions - 158, 159, 160, 171, 181, 182, 184, 204); With other Pilots (9 missions - 171, 181, 182, 210, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216). Last mission flown on 1 August 1944 (Mission 216).
  • T/Sgt Donald E. Pickens (E) - Dispatched on 32 credited missions: With 1Lt Latshaw (31 credited missions with 1Lt Latshaw); With another Pilot (One mission - 159). Last mission on 19 July 1944 (Mission 207).
  • T/Sgt Andrew W. Tidwell (R), S/Sgt William P. Ginn (BT), S/Sgt Horace C. Miller (WG) and S/Sgt Warren L. Hedrick (TG) - Dispatched on 31 credited missions - all with 1Lt Latshaw. Last mission flown on 19 July 1944 (Mission 207).
  • S/Sgt Joseph A. Murphy (WG) - Dispatched on 26 credited missions: With 1Lt Latshaw (20 missions - 158, 159, 160, 164, 165, 167, 169, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183); With other Pilots (6 missions - As Waist Gunner -205, 206, As Togglier - 216, 217, 218, 220). Last mission flown on 5 August 1944 (Mission 220).

[photo courtesy of George T. Mackin]
[Researched by Harry D. Gobrecht, 303rdBGA Historian Emeritus]