“Flying Fool, The”.Over Road junctions, Falaise, France.

2nd Lt. Robert J. Andrino was the pilot of B-24H 42-94991 on the 13 August 1944 mission to Falaise, France. It was his second mission. According to radio operator S/Sgt. Albert Gallaher, Andrino did not bail out. When the aircraft was struck by flak, the gas tanks exploded and the ship went down in a spin. Andrino was last seen standing between the two cockpit seats, apparently waiting to assist the co-pilot, who was believed to be injured. Six parachutes accounted for all survivors; Andrino was not among them. His next of kin was Mrs. Adeline E. Andrino (wife), 110 North Moore Avenue, Monterey Park, California.

2nd Lt. William H. Bradford served as co-pilot aboard B-24H 42-94991. He was believed to have been injured when the aircraft was struck by flak near Falaise on 13 August 1944. S/Sgt. Gallaher reported that Bradford appeared to be injured and unable to exit the aircraft on his own. It was believed that pilot Andrino remained at his station to help Bradford out, and that engineer Hagler went to the flight deck to assist as well. Bradford did not bail out and went down with the aircraft. He was presumed dead as of 14 August 1945 under the Missing Persons Act. His next of kin was Mr. B. L. Bradford (father), 2534 Birdsall Street, Blue Island, Illinois.

2nd Lt. William J. Collins served as navigator aboard B-24H 42-94991 on the 13 August 1944 mission. He successfully bailed out when the aircraft was hit by flak near Falaise, France. Collins was captured and held as a prisoner of war. His POW status was confirmed on 10 October 1944. Sgt. Bishop reported seeing Collins on a pier in Boston in June 1945 in good condition following repatriation. His next of kin was Mrs. Mary K. Collins (wife), Mountain Crest, West Portal, New Jersey.

1st Lt. Theodore T. Grzybowski served as bombardier aboard B-24H 42-94991 on the 13 August 1944 mission to Falaise, France. He successfully bailed out after the aircraft was struck by flak. Grzybowski was captured and held as a prisoner of war. His POW status was confirmed on 10 October 1944. Sgt. Bishop reported seeing him at Dulag Luft at Wetzlar, Germany, in good condition. His next of kin was Mrs. Argenta Mary Grzybowski (wife), East Saugatuck, Michigan.

S/Sgt. Henry A. Hagler served as flight engineer aboard B-24H 42-94991. He was last seen opening the bomb bay doors after the aircraft was struck by flak on 13 August 1944. According to S/Sgt. Gallaher, Hagler jumped down to open the bomb bay doors himself, then it is believed he went up to the flight deck to assist the pilot in removing the injured co-pilot. He did not bail out and was killed when the aircraft crashed. He was presumed dead as of 14 August 1945 under the Missing Persons Act. His next of kin was Mrs. Elsie S. Hagler (mother), Route Two, Chipley, Georgia.

Sgt. Albert R. Gallaher served as radio operator aboard B-24H 42-94991. At the time the aircraft was hit, he was in the forward bomb bays preparing to open the doors. He witnessed the engineer jump down and open the doors himself and saw the pilot standing between the two cockpit seats. Gallaher successfully bailed out and was captured by the Germans. He was held at Stalag Luft II. His return to military control was confirmed on 21 April 1945. His next of kin was Mrs. Nellie J. Gallaher (mother), 11033 South B Street, Elwood, Indiana.

Sgt. Lester J. Bishop served as waist gunner aboard B-24H 42-94991. He bailed out successfully after the aircraft was hit by flak near Falaise, France on 13 August 1944. Five other crew members also bailed out. Bishop was captured and held as a prisoner of war. His POW status was confirmed on 10 October 1944. He was the primary respondent for the casualty questionnaire. His next of kin was Mr. David G. Bishop (father), 121 Fourth Street, Little Valley, New York.

Sgt. Ted R. Ellinger served as waist gunner aboard B-24H 42-94991. He bailed out successfully after the aircraft was struck by flak near Falaise on 13 August 1944. Ellinger was captured and held as a prisoner of war. His POW status was confirmed on 11 November 1944. Sgt. Bishop reported seeing him at Camp Lucky Strike, France, in fair condition following liberation. His next of kin was Mrs. Dana Ellinger (mother), General Delivery, Buffalo Gap, Texas.

Sgt. Martin H. Lavner served as nose gunner aboard B-24H 42-94991. He bailed out successfully after the aircraft was hit by flak near Falaise on 13 August 1944. Lavner was captured and held as a prisoner of war. His POW status was confirmed on 10 October 1944. Sgt. Bishop reported seeing him at Stalag Luft II in good condition. His next of kin was Mrs. Lena M. Lavner (mother), 5648 Catherine Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Sgt. Joseph G. Lawruszko served as tail gunner aboard B-24H 42-94991. He was last seen between the tail turret and the waist escape hatch just before Sgt. Bishop bailed out. Bishop speculated that Lawruszko may not have had enough time to jump, as the wing burned for only a few seconds before exploding. German captors reportedly confirmed that only six crew members got out. Lawruszko was classified as a battle casualty and reported killed in action. His next of kin was Mr. Weryl Lawruszko (father), 500 Maple Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut.