Back Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. Sgt. Roscoe H. Scott, Jr., Radio Operator
  2. Sgt. Thomas A. Spraker, Engineer / TT
  3. Sgt. William Murray, Ball Turret
  4. Sgt. Stanley V. Rusinski, Waist Gunner
  5. Sgt. Florian F. Wierdak, Tail Gunner

Front Row (viewer's left to right):

  1. 2nd Lt. Rod J. Crowder, Navigator
  2. 1st Lt. Gaylord Ross, Co-Pilot
  3. 2nd Lt. Richard "Dick" Cady, Pilot
  4. 2nd Lt. Edward Skelton, Bombardier

Comments:

  1. Photo Date: Probably March or April 1945
  2. Aircraft in photo: Unknown but possibly the "Dorothy May", serial number unknown.
  3. Photo Location: Probably Rapid City where the crew trained.
  4. The Cady crew arrived late in the ETO and flew only two missions with the 398th, April 21, 1945 and April 25, 1945.
  5. 1st Lt. Gaylord Ross trained with this crew but did not fly combat with them. He flew with the Coffee Crew on April 21 and the Heathcote Crew on April 25th. 2nd Lt. David A. Woodring flew with the Cady crew on April 21st and 2nd Lt. Charles L. Claude flew with Cady on April 25th.
  6. Photo Reference: CadyTraining1945
  7. Information compiled by the 398th BGMA web team with thanks to Joe Wierdak, grandson of tail gunner Florian F. Wierdak (aka "Frank" or "Flory").
  8. If you would like to add information about this photograph, or can provide a better scan, please contact our Crew Photos Coordinator. Please mention the title and photograph date.