The 6th Bomb Group

#??. [Unknown]



Thanks to: Marc Martyn, cousin of Sgt Robert J. Beller (Radio).

The Plane

Lt Bernard A. Casaurang and crew of the 39th Squadron crashed into the ocean about forty-five minutes after takeoff on the 12 February mission. Crew members of other ships in the formation observed the plane lose No. 4 engine and fire break out on the starboard side. They also saw the ship explode as it struck the water. Dumbo search planes found only small bits of wreckage near the scene. This was the Sixth's first combat loss. ["Pirate's Log", p. 29]

The Crew


Sgt Robert J. Beller (Radio)
Photo from Marc Martyn, cousin of Robert Beller, all rights reserved

The primary crew of this aircraft was Crew #3906, including:

1/Lt Bernard A. Casaurang (A/C)
2/Lt Edward A. Josephson
F/O Louis T. Kestner
2/Lt Richard J. Scarisbrick
T/Sgt Frederick B. Robbins (Engineer)
Sgt Robert J. Beller (Radio)
Cpl Ralph R. Cima
Cpl Richard V. Leland
Cpl Flavio M. Duca
Cpl Harold V. Brown
Cpl Joseph J. Kuebler
Cpl Charles N. Gentry