12^th AIR FORCE

57^th BOMB WING

340^th BOMB GROUP (M)

MISSION JUNE 22, 1944

486^th, 487^th, 488^th, and 489^th Squadrons of the 340^th Bomb Group on June 22, 1944

Gricigliana, Italy today

487th BS B-25 7C “McKinley Jr. High” shot down by enemy fire.

340th BG 487th BS - SN 43-27656 - 7C

McKinley Jr. High

PUBLICITY CREW PHOTO of McKINLEY JR. HIGH after her MAIDEN MISSION MAY 19, 1944

The plane was financed by Muncie, IN students raising war bonds!!

PLANE was SHOT DOWN JUNE 22, 1944

“Left to right) Pilot 1^st Lt. William A. McLaughlin ; Pilot 2^nd Lt. Charles M. Cook (photo credit);

Radio Operator/Gunner T/Sgt. Harvey Hyland;Turret Gunner/Engineer Sgt. Eugene Simonson;

Tail Gunner Sgt. Robert Bishop; Copilot 2^nd Lt. George Simpson (shot down April 6, 1944 and made it back!)

(kneeling) Crew Chief S/Sgt. Howard Pinneo; Asst. Crew Chief/ Gunner S/Sgt Charles Floyd

Soon after this photo, the plane was shot down 6/22/44 by German flak over Griciliana, Italy

killing the pilot Tom Casey and top turret and waist gunners.

(The tale is well written by the surviving co-pilot Harry D. George in his book “Georgio Italiano” ISBN 1-55212-538-6 )

7C Hit and going down: Photo courtesy of Herman Voss- custodian of John Sterrett-Tail Gunner 486^th BS

(487^th BS Crew sheet from Harry George)

486^th BS Mission sheet credit: Herman Voss