Courtesy of Gerry Kersey
From the personal collection of Donald B. Daniel
Donald B. Daniel & crew next to “Ten Hits and A Miss”
Standing (L-R): Charles Fisher (E/TTG); Charles Thatcher (B); Richard Armellino (CP); Stan Vogelfang (N); Lt. Francis Hosimer (P)
Kneeling (L-R): Harold Gales (TG); Burton Hewitt (NG); Donald B. Daniel (RO/RWG); Marvin Kuhn (LWG); Lorrain DeSpain (BTG)
The correct serial number was 42-64500. This was a B-24 H model built by Consolidated in Fort Worth. It was one of the original aircraft assigned to the 455th, and was further assigned to the 743rd Squadron. This plane departed the U. S. for Italy on 12/22/43. The plane was lost due to a crash on 6/11/44. The MACR number for this crash is 5771. The photo you have was obviously taken while the crew was still training in the U. S., since the plane lacks group, squadron and mission markings, as well as a battle number.