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Orginal Crew 61
B-29 # unknown
5

Original Crew 61
Photo Courtesy of Emory Gaffney, Radar Observer

L to R: Standing:
F/O Joseph I. Kesselman Navigator
F/O Allan Armstrong Pilot
1st Lt Samuel K. Felton Airplane Commander
1st Lt Leonard W. Wasowicz Bombardier
1st Lt Emory C. Gaffney Radar Observer
L to R: Kneeling:
S/Sgt Anthony L. Palmieri CFC Gunner
- Left Gunner
? Durbin Gunner
- Radio Operator
Cpl David W. Barr Tail Gunner
M/Sgt Andrew J. Swetz Flight Engineer

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Crew 61
Honor Roll 
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Cpl David W. Barr
Tail Gunner
24 May 1945 lost w/P-52
M/Sgt Andrew J. Swetz
Flight Engineer
17 Feb 1999


This crew arrived on Guam about April/May 1945 and flew approximately 6-9 missions as a crew; after that time they few as "fill ins" where needed on other crews.

Cpl David W. Barr the crew's tail gunner was lost with 9 members of Crew 52 on 24 May mission to Nagoya.

Kesselman recalls there may have been about 9 missions they flew as a crew, a number of which were Tokyo raids, before he was assigned permanently to another crew and flew the rest of HIS missions with that crew.


Update:

31 Jan 2008: Added missions found in Historical Narratives April-July 1945 by Capt Edward Babbitt, Historical Officer, 62nd BS.

05 Nov 2005: Joseph Kesselman's daughter found our web site and notifed us that her father is alive and well; a follow up email was received 11 Nov. 2005. Kesselman provided rank for Allan Armstrong, Pilot - more crew information to follow.

27 August 2005: Per GO 8 issued by HQ 20th AF, dated 23 July 1945 Award of Air Medal F/O Joseph I. Kesselman's name is listed - as such we now have his first name and middle inital listed above.

If you can help ID the men above or have information or contacts for this crew, please email: updates@39th.org

62nd Sqduadron Index
Source: Leonard W. Wasocwicz; Emory C. Gaffney; Joseph Kesselman; 39th BG Historical Narratives