On
October 15th 44, the policy of lead crew supply
was changed. Previously each squadron had available a
certain number of crews to assume the responsibility of
leading the Group and Squadrons on a mission. The policy
was changed, pooling all lead crews into one squadron. It
was designated that the duty of that squadron would be
training lead crews and keeping them equipped with lead
aircraft and equipment. This assignment was given to the
791st Squadron.
Its
success depended upon the efficiency of the squadron given
the assignment. It meant a more careful and detailed
training programme; superior maintenance of equipment,
since all other ships of a squadron drop on the lead. A
lot of equipment was involved: GH, H2X, radio equipment,
and the performance of the ship.
By
October 15th 44, most of the lead crews had completed or
were nearing completion of their combat tours. It meant
the 791st had to take relatively new replacement crews and
pick those who were potential leaders. Once selected, they
had to be trained, checked out in the intracacies of
leading a squadron. Lead crews flew combat less regularly
than the wing crews and as a result took a great deal
longer to complete their combat tours.
William
Graf Crew#92
Craig
Harrington Crew#84
Edward
Holum Crew#88
George
Kotraba Crew#87
Charles
Leyes Crew#94
Addison
Manning Crew#88
James
Mikkelsen Crew#84
Earl
Sawyer Crew#84
Clarence
Schulze Crew#84
Robert
Seiler/Thomas Murphy Crew#81
Willard
Sell Crew#86
Rufus
Stephens Crew#80
John
"Jack" Stevens Crew#89
James
"Dave" Swearingen Crew#78
Frank
Watson Crew#85
Wells
Wescott Crew#87
Charles
White Crew#98
Troy
Wild Crew#78
Billy
Williams Crew#80
