The following came from Steve Smiesk, webmaster 330th BG (VH) web site during a conversation with 1st Lt John Dickerson, 457th BS, 330th BG: "Late in June 1945, three crews of 8th Air Force 316th BW, 346th BS received orders to take off for the Marianas where they would fly with the 20th Air Force. The 314th BW needed replacement crews and they were to absorb experience which they could later pass on to their fellow crews. On 5 July 1945 'the 8th Air Force landed on Guam' They were the only crews of their 316th BW squadron to see combat." Glenn Carmen, historian of the 316th Bombardment Wing & whose father served with the 333rd BG, 316th BW, forwarded data from orders dated 18 Jun 1945 Issued by HQ PAAF (Pratt Army Air Field) Pratt, KS listing this crew. They were on DS from 462nd BS, 346th BG, 316th BW. In February 2005 Rick Goodnow, Son of T/Sgt Edwin S. Goodnow contacted our site to let us know that his father's name was listed on our 60th Ground Personnel Roster, however his father was part of an aircrew. He also sent us the above photo and identified his father and T/Sgt Merchant. Further review of General Order 25 Battle Participation Award 60th Bomb Squadron dated 16 August 1945 where Goodnow's name was found also showed 11 men in all as being attached to the 39th BG. Goodwin's son recalls his father mentioning "King" which was one of the names indicated as attached.
Standing (Left to Right)
T/Sgt Edwin S. Goodnow, Flight Engineer
2nd Lt Jack W. Coates, Radar Observer
2nd Lt Robert O. Roper, Bombardier
1st Lt Robert B. King, Airplane Commander
2nd Lt Robert H. Mohrman, Navigator
2nd Lt Lewis B. Sloan, Jr., Pilot.
Kneeling (Left to Right)
Cpl Rudolph J. Kirincich, Gunner
S/Sgt Daniel Rubin, Gunner
S/Sgt Richard W. Cummings, Gunner
T/Sgt William C. Merchant, CFC Gunner
Sgt Wilford E. Christensen, Radio Operator
