Stanley Wardowski Crew

STANLEY WARDOWSKI CREW - 427th BS
(crew assigned 427BS: 11 June 1944 - photo: 02 Jan 1944)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Stanley Wardowski (P-KIA), 2Lt Neil E. Hainlin, Jr. (CP-POW/ESC),
2Lt Warren G. Birnbaum, Jr. (N-KIA), 2Lt Charles F. Eisel (B-POW)

(Front L-R) Sgt George Murphy (WG) S/Sgt Raymond J. Kowatch (E-POW),
S/Sgt Albert Willard (R-EVD), Sgt John I. Snede (WG-EVD),
unknown, Sgt Donald G. Wagner (TG-KIA)

The unknown crewman was replaced by Sgt Benjamin L. Hope (BT-POW)
Murphy was removed from the crew on troop train at Boston, MA due to a severe nose bleed.

(KIA-POW-EVD) 28 June 1944 mission #193 to Juvincourt, France in 427BS B-17G #42-31200 Old Crow (GN-V). Hit by flak between the fuselage and the #3 engine over Laon France at 0836 hours. The wing caught fire and six parachutes were spotted. The B-17 made a 180 degree turn, nosed over, and started down in a dive. At about 4,000 feet it disintegrated in the air.

[photo courtesy of John I. Snede]
[Researched by 303rdBGA Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]