Us Official Photographs

Squadron in Southwest Pacific Combat Zone

Crew members of one of the planes in a squadron which accomplished the following in a six-months period in the Southwest Pacific Combat Zone: Destroyed 21 enemy aircraft Probably destroyed 12 enemy aircraft Sank 7 enemy vessels Damaged 1 enemy vessel Front row, left to right: S/Sgt. Fred C. Siedentopf, Richmond, Ind., Turret Gunner; T/Sgt. Vincent V. Valatka, Swoyersville, Pa., Radio Operator; S/Sgt. William W. Kieser, Marengo, Ill., Assistant Engineer-Gunner; T/Sgt. Robert E. Vandermark, Wanamie, Pa., Engineer; Cpl. John S. Wells, Hitchcock, Texas, Assistant Radio-Gunner; S/Sgt. Clarence L. Albright, Indianapolis, Ind., Gunner; Back row, left to right: 1st Lt. Francis E. Menge, 1802 General Pershing St., New Orleans, La., Pilot; 2nd Lt. Thomas O. Dunbar, Garlin, Ky., Bombardier; 2nd Lt. Russell L. Smith, Jr., Bloomfield, Calif., Co-pilot; 2nd Lt. Allan Cotler, Brooklyn, N. Y., Navigator.