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359th Knudson Crew Darwin D. Knudson, Pilot |
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DARWIN D. KNUDSON CREW - 359th BS
(crew assigned 359BS: 24 Nov 1944 - photo: 21 Mar 1945)
(Back L-R) 2Lt Daryl W. Davis (N), 2Lt Darwin D. Knudson (P),
2Lt David E. Heitman (CP), Sgt Robert E. Hurdle (E)
(Front L-R)
Sgt Leo R. Meichtry (BT),
Sgt Billy L. McDonald (TG),
Sgt Johnnie R. Wilson (TOG),
Sgt Walter N. Jones (R)
Original Crewman not in Photo: S/Sgt Leonard G. Palm (WG)
Crewman Ranks and Grades at time of last combat mission
Crew Comments:
1Lt Darwin D. Knudson (P) Flew 28 combat missions:
283(*), 284(*)(AS), 285(*), 286(*), 288(*), 289(*), 290(*), 291(*), 293(*), 294,
296(*), 297, 298, 299, 303, 304, 306(LC), 309, 311, 312,
315, 319, 321(LC), 327, 333, 345, 350, 357
(AS) Abortive Sortie -- (LC) As a Lead Crew CoPilot -- (*) Ten missions in Duchess' Granddaughter, 359th BS #44-6309 (BN-T) -- 18 missions in 16 other B-17s
| Crewman | Missions (A) | 1st Mission | Last Mission |
| (1) 1st Darwin D. Knudson (P) | 28 + 0 = 28 | #283 12/06/44 | #357 4/20/45 |
| (2) 2Lt Donald E. Heitman (C) | 23 + 9 = 32 | #284 12/09/44 | #346 3/24/45# |
| (3) 1Lt Daryl L. Davis (N) | 22 + 14 = 36 | #283 12/06/44 | #349 3/31/45# |
| (4) T/Sgt Johnnie R. Wilson (Tog) | 11 + 25 = 36 | #283 12/06/44 | #349 3/31/45# |
| (5) S/Sgt Robert E. Hurdle (E) | 10 + 8 = 18 | #283 12/06/44 | #357 4/10/45 |
| (6) T/Sgt Walter N. Jones (R) | 24 + 5 = 29 | #283 12/06/44 | #349 3/31/45# |
| (7) S/Sgt Leo R. Meichtry (BTG) | 19 + 10 = 29 | #283 12/06/44 | #361 4/16/45# |
| (8) S/Sgt Kenneth A. Palm (WG) | 12 + 10 = 22 | #285 12/11/44 | #353 4/06/45 |
| (9) Sgt Billy L. McDonald (TG) | 19 + 11 = 30 | #185 12/09/44 | #349 3/31/45# |
(#) Credited with competing a combat tour
S/Sgt Colin C. Lainson (E) replaced S/Sgt Robert E. Hurdle (E) on 27 Dec 1944 and flew 12 missions with the Knudson Crew
S/Sgt Kenneth A. Palm (WG) flew as a Voice Interpreter or Spot Jammer on eight missions with other crews
T/Sgt Johnnie R. Wilson (Tog) was proud that he flew two mission (#310 & 311) with other Pilots in B-17G Thunderbird #42-38050 359BS (BN-U). S/Sgt Colin C. Lainson (E) flew one mission (#276) in the Thunderbird with another Pilot.
[Researched by 303rdBGA Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]