NAME TP - M# SER - BLK - MF

SERIAL #

AF

BG

BS

SC RCL/# V#-P

PHOTO CREDITS

AXIS NIGHTMARE

B

-

24

D

-

20

-

CO

41-24138 14 308 373 ~ ~ 00-1

 N/A

Info Contributor - Mark N. Lareau

My Dad, Norman (spelled "Normand" in some records) A. Lareau, was the Tail/Ball Turret Gunner. To my knowledge, this is the first military plane equipped with radar; hence the name "Axis". This was kept a secret during the war, however, and the Radar Operator was still designated as "Radio", so that in the event the plane was captured, the crew wouldn't be tortured for information (at least this was my Father's rendition). Crew:

Lt. Jay E. LeVan - Pilot
Lt. William R. McCaffrey - Co-Pilot
Lt. Lee O. Cunningham - Navigator
Lt. John D. Shytle, Jr. - Bombardier
T/Sgt. Charles W. Hemsley - Engineer
Sgt. Bruce L. Ludwig - Nose Gunner
S/Sgt. Norman A. Lareau - Tail/Ball Turret Gunner
?? Lawrence F. Bowar - Waist Gunner
T/Sgt. Harry A. Neiss - Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Edward N. Odom - Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Thomas J. Murphy - Radio Operator

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B-24 Best Web. Published on Veterans Day 11/11/97. Last modified: January 26, 2008