Crew #20-10
Crew #20-10 was ordered to begin the journey overseas on 15 July 1943 from Herginton Army Air Field in Kansas. After arriving in England around August 1st, they reported to Combat Crew Replacement Center #12 for additional training. They then proceeded to Hardwick Air Base near the town of Cambridge. This was the home of the 93rd Bomb Group. At Hardwick, the crew was officially assigned to the 328th Bomb Squadron on 17 August 1943.
The crew's leader and first pilot was 2nd. Lt. Roger W. Hayes. For reasons unknown (possibly sickness), 2nd Lt. Eugene H. Cantrell, the crew's copilot, did not fly with the crew on their third and final mission on 18 October 1943. Instead, 1st Lt. Charles R. Hutchens flew as first pilot and 2nd Lt. Roger W. Hayes flew as copilot. One can only imagine the anguish felt by 2nd Lt. Eugene H. Cantrell when given the news that the 9 other men he had trained with for so long were missing in action. Unfortunately, Lt. Cantrell would also be lost on a mission to bomb Osnabruck on 22 Dec 1943. |
Crew Artifacts
Thank you to the family members of the crew who provided these documents to be shared on this website.
Robert H. Fisher Jr.
Charles R. Hutchens
Roger W. Hayes
Reuben L. Gareau
Robert J. Graff
Gregory Bournazos
Clifford A. Blais
Henry H. Howard Jr.
Harry J. Linvill
Idus F. Coleman
Eugene H. Cantrell