“Victory Belle”.Over Dreux Airdrome, France.

1st Lt. John J. Boyle served as pilotage navigator and observer on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. Boyle was the first man to bail out of the burning aircraft. Parts of the burning aircraft fell on his open parachute. He was reported buried by French civilians approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. May R. Boyle.

Lt. Col. Clarence R. Porter was aboard B-24J 42-100294 as acting commander on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. Porter was reported as either unconscious or dead in the aircraft at the time of the explosion. He was reported buried by French civilians approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France, per information from a French priest. German capture records and the E&E report both confirm Porter as killed. His next of kin was his wife, Mrs. K. M. Porter, 1943 South Broadway, Denver, Colorado.

Captain Norman A. Roggenkamp was the pilot of B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. Lt. Col. Clarence R. Porter was aboard as acting commander. Roggenkamp was reported as either unconscious or dead in the aircraft at the time of the explosion. He was reported buried by French civilians approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France, per information from a French priest. German capture records confirm Roggenkamp as dead. His next of kin were his wife, Mrs. Virginia L. Roggenkamp, and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Albert V. Roggenkamp, both of New Albany / Hilltown, Indiana.

Captain Morton R. Ashton served as navigator on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. He was assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Group. Ashton bailed out when the aircraft exploded in midair at approximately 21,000 feet. He was captured and held as a POW at Stalag Luft 3, Germany (EX-PW #7175). Ashton returned to U.S. military control and later completed a casualty questionnaire describing the mission.

Captain Kenneth W. Schilling served as bombardier on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. Schilling bailed out when the aircraft exploded in midair. He returned to U.S. military control in August 1944 and submitted E&E report #1029 dated 16 August 1944. He stated the plane was on fire and blew up, that seven crew members bailed out with parachutes opening, and that the pilot, co-pilot, and nose gunner were killed in the plane.

T/Sgt Adam J. Straczewski served as radio operator on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. His name appears in documents as Straczewski, Straszewski, and Straczenski. Straczewski was the only surviving crew member who was in the aircraft at the time of the explosion. He was captured, processed through Dulag Luft, and returned to U.S. military control in May 1945.

S/Sgt Eugene J. Mlot served as nose turret gunner on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. His surname appears in documents as Mlot, Klot, Hlet, and Mlet due to OCR and clerical errors. Mlot was reported killed in the aircraft. The E&E report states the pilot, co-pilot, and nose gunner were all killed in the plane. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. Agnes G. Klot (Mlot), 2047 South 11th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

S/Sgt Walter E. Ries served as a gunner on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. His surname appears in documents as Ries, Rice, and Bies due to OCR and clerical variation. The E&E report gives his serial number as 36533066. Ries returned to U.S. military control in August 1944. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. Anna Rice (Ries), 6643 Edward Street, Detroit, Michigan.

S/Sgt Norman Wright served as right waist gunner on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. The MACR lists him with no middle name (NMI). Wright returned to U.S. military control in August 1944. His next of kin was his father, Mr. Norman L. Wright, 42 Hudson Street, Somerville, Massachusetts.

T/Sgt Lowell L. Arnold served as engineer on B-24J 42-100294 on the 24 June 1944 mission to Dreux Airdrome, France. The MACR lists his serial number as 35498682. Arnold was reported as either unconscious or dead in the aircraft at the time of the explosion. He was reported buried by French civilians approximately 20 kilometers south of Dreux, France. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs. James W. Arnold.