42-50679.Over Dortmund.

Pilot of the B-24J 42-50679 on the 28 January 1945 mission to Dortmund. After the aircraft was hit by flak he ordered the crew to bail out. Co-pilot F/O Techet and engineer T/Sgt Kerbel were the last crew members to jump before Schmoller. Both stated he was on the bomb bay catwalk prepared to bail out when they left the aircraft. He was not found in or near the wreckage. Post-war statements by T/Sgt Kerbel and 2nd Lt. Jaffe concluded that Schmoller did bail out but his parachute likely failed to open. He was reported killed in action on 28 January 1945.

Co-pilot on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 19 May 1921, New York City. Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak. Was among the last to leave the plane, motioning navigator Jaffe out before jumping himself. Captured and taken to Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty.

Navigator-bombardier on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 1918, USA. After bombs were released the plane was hit by flak; engines 1 and 2 were knocked out and the port rudder was badly damaged. His escape hatch was inoperative so he made his way to the bomb bay. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West; held as POW for approximately 100 days before returning to duty. Provided a post-war statement in October 1945 regarding the fate of pilot Lt. Schmoller, concluding that Schmoller's parachute likely did not open.

Flight engineer and top turret gunner on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 26 December 1918, Cliffside, NJ. This was his first mission with Lt. Schmoller. Was one of the last to bail out. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West. All surviving crew were held in the same POW camp for approximately 100 days. Conditions included lice and fleas but the crew reported fair treatment by Luftwaffe guards. Interrogated in October 1945 at Dover Army Air Field regarding the fate of Lt. Schmoller. His sworn statement concluded that Schmoller bailed out but his parachute likely did not open.

Radio operator on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 24 November 1917, Dayton, Ohio. Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak over the target. Captured and sent to Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty.

Waist gunner on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 1926, USA. Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty. Name appears variously in documents as Cervacchioli, Gorvacchioli, Cowacchioli, and Cornacchioli; the German Dulag Luft report spelling "Cornacchioli" with serial 33809278 is treated as authoritative.

Waist gunner on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 1925, Huntingdon, PA. Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty. Was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in October 1945 when contacted for a post-war interrogation regarding the fate of Lt. Schmoller.

Nose gunner on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 25 November 1925, New York City. Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty.

Tail gunner on the 28 January 1945 Dortmund mission. Born 26 April 1925, Waterbury, CT. MACR spells the name "Semmaruga"; German Dulag Luft records consistently give "Sommaruga." Bailed out after the aircraft was hit by flak. Captured and held at Dulag Luft West (KU 3632). Returned to duty.