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Colonel William Hatcher. Co-Pilot; Pilot; Group Commanding Officer, 351st Bomb Group. William Hatcher Jr was born in Grand Rapids, was brought up in Detroit’s north end and attended Northern High School. After his enlistment in the Air Corps, he fol
Died 27 January 1947
American Air Museum

Lieutenant Colonel Duane Beeson. Pilot, 4th Fighter Group. Duane W Beeson joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941, by February 1942 he had completed over 200 hours of flying and was transferred to Britain to join No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, RAF 24 days l
Died 13 February 1947
American Air Museum

Technical Sergeant John Mernagh. Ball Turret Gunner; Top Turret Gunner, 351st Bomb Group. Flew 50 missions from 22 December 1943 to 1 February 1945. Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/ 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Unit Citation.
Died 15 March 1947
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant Richard Hulette. Co-Pilot, 466th Bomb Group.
Died 16 May 1947
American Air Museum

Major Pierce McKennon. Pilot, 4th Fighter Group. Major McKennon, was born 30 November 1919 in Clarksville, Arkansas, but grew up and was educated in Fort Smith. He earned a four-year music scholarship to the University of Arkansas. After a month in colleg
Died 18 June 1947
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade) Elmer Rieber. Waist Gunner, 466th Bomb Group. Killed in an auto racing accident in 1947.
Died 10 July 1947
American Air Museum

Captain Kenneth Smith. Pilot, 4th Fighter Group. Captain Smith was from Boise, Idaho, and was born 8 June 1914. He attended the College of Idaho, then worked for the Idaho Power Co. About 1940 he moved to California. He joined the Army Aviation Cadet prog
Died 20 October 1947
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant George Griesbach. Pilot, 466th Bomb Group. Completed a 30 mission tour Killed while flying at Co-Pilot on United Airlines 608 when it crashed in Bryce Canyon, UT.
Died 24 October 1947
American Air Museum

Brigadier General Bartlett Beaman. Chief of Staff, . LOM/ BS/ DUC
Died 14 November 1947
American Air Museum

First Lieutenant William Laws. Pilot, 91st Bomb Group The Ragged Irregulars. Records available online show that William V Laws flew at least two different B-17 Flying Fortresses, nicknamed “The Wild Hare” and “Mah Ideel”, as part o
Died 9 December 1947
American Air Museum

Second Lieutenant Robert Heichel. Pilot, 491st Bomb Group. Robert Heichel attended the Windber High School during four years (his description in the Class of 1942 Yearbook : “He hath a stern look, but a merry heart.”) Before his enlistment in
Died 28 December 1947
American Air Museum

Staff Sergeant (Technician Third Grade) Avery Houchard. Left Waist Gunner, 466th Bomb Group. B-24H #41-29416 'Rebel Yell' collided with another aircraft after being hit by flak over the target of Berlin and crashed W of Oranienburg, GR on 22 Mar
Died 28 December 1947
American Air Museum