KURZ CREW HISTORY

by
Herbert T. Kurz
December 1942, 330th BG 457th BS Alamogordo N.M. 2nd Phase B-24 Training
Original Crew

Ref #1

(P)

(E)

D. Lodge

(AE)

J. Harmon
W. Richards

H. Kurz

(CP) K. Clutter

(N)

H. Hunnewell

(R)

(B)

F. Washburn

(AG) M. MacFarlane

While being flown from N.M. to Topeka, Kansas as passengers we had to bail out over
Collinsville, Illinois. Hunnewell was killed along with 2 other crew members. (January
2, 1943) (19 men aboard)
January 1943, 333rd BG, 468th BS Topeka, Kansas
(N)

W. Doxaras Replaced Hunnewell

(R)

D. Erickson Joined Crew (Richards to AR)

(G)

O. T. Wilson Joined Crew

Picked up our plane B-24D S#42-40101 at Topeka. (final disposition: condemned for
salvage 15 Dec. 1945) Named THE GREEN HORNET at Hamilton Field, California
and flew to Hickam Field, Oahu, March 1, 1943.
2 March 1943, Assigned to 307th BG, 371st BS at Wheeler Field.
Ref #1 - On April 21, 1943.
(R) Erickson and (G) Wilson killed in bombing at Funafuti. (E) Lodge and (AE) Harmon
injured in bombing at Funafuti.

Ref #2 In Ellice Islands

(P) Kurz injured (not seriously and grounded for one month). Never saw Lodge or
Harmon again.
(R) Erickson replaced with W. Fletcher
(G) Wilson replaced with R. Perrell
(E) Lodge replaced with R. Tibbetts
(AE) Harmon replaced with J. Coutu
May 10, 1943 Transferred to 11th BG, 98th BS - based at Mokuleia, Oahu. (ref #3)
(CP) K. Clutter removed from crew and replaced with S. Reed (Reed had never been in
multi engine before (Clutter went with Cartwright crew).
(N) W. Doxaras left crew to join C Flight Leader Dwyer and was replaced with K. King.
(R) W. Fletcher transferred to pilot training in States and was replaced by R. Perrell
(serving another position).
Picked up new B-24J S#42-73022 (No Name)
(G) R. Burns joined crew
Depart Oahu for Nukufetau, November 13, 1943.
Ref. #4 Crew now as follows:
(P) Kurz

(E) Tibbetts

(G) Burns

(CP) Reed

(AE) Coutu

(AG) MacFarlane

(N) King

(R) Perrell

(B) Washburn

(AR) Richards
B-24J 022 was lost on landing at Nukufetau after being hit over Jaluit in the Marshals.
Hydraulics knocked out (November 23, 1943).
(R) Perrell injured and sent back to Oahu on medical
(N) King injured with broken collarbone
(P) Kurz injured (not seriously)
After losing 022 Crew as follows:
(P) Kurz

(E) Tibbetts

(AG) MacFarlane

(CP) Reed

(AE) Coutu

(G) Burns

(N) ?

(R) ?

(B) Washburn

(AR) Richards

Received old B-24D that had been passed from one squadron to another no one
wanted it.
(CP) Reed left to go with Osmond Crew
(N) King never returned to Crew
On subsequent missions I have no idea who flew in (CP) (N) or (R) positions. I never
saw them before.
(B) F. Washburn lost on flight with Hopkins Crew on January 21, 1944. (His (B) was ill.)
Ref #1 Special Order #45 Topeka Kansas, February 15, 1943
Ref #2 GNL Order #12 HQ VII BC, May 7, 1943
Ref #3 Special Order #50, HQ VII BC, May 10, 1943
Ref #4 See Passenger List Shipment #54131-33

Crew Members
Position Rank
P
1st LT
CP
2nd LT
N

nd

2 LT

Name
Herbert T. Kurz
Kensel E. Clutter

Serial #
S# 0791122
S# 0733611

William R. Doxaras

Status
Injured
Injured

Left
Crew
Left

S# 1662029

Crew
nd

B
E
R
AE
AR
G
AG
N
CP

2 LT
T/Sgt
T/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
S/Sgt
2nd LT
2nd LT

Frank J. Washburn
Dennis S. Loge
Delbert Y. Erickson
John E. Harmon
Wm. E. Richards
Owen T. Wilson
Max G. MacFarlane
Harvey A. Hunnewell
Sherman S. Reed

S# 0731433
S# 13049799
S# 37167038
S# 37208117
S# 38179498
S# 15115486
S# 35234897

Killed

Injured
Injured

S# 0794500

Injured

N
E
AE
G
GR

2nd LT
Sgt
Sgt
PFC
PFC

Karl G. King
Robert L. Tibbetts
Joseph E. Coutu
Raymond A. Burns
Robert J. Perrell

S# 02045320
S# 16042091
S# 11011631
S# 20536192
S# 12066000

Injured
Injured
Injured
Injured
Injured

S/Sgt

Wm. P. Fletcher

S# 36225930

Killed
Injured
Injured
Killed
Injured
Killed
Left
Crew

Left
Crew
Left
Crew

Figure 1 Clutter August 1943

Figure 2 McFarlane & Richards

Figure 3 Herbert Kurz