Nine O Nine

323rd Squadron

2nd Lt. Klinger's Crew

On the Sunny Side of the Street

Serial # 42-31909

Back Row - Left to Right

Sgt. Richard E. Murphy, Tail Gunner; Sgt. Jack R. Grosh, Radio Operator; Sgt. Homer (John) Luke, Ball Turret Gunner; Sgt. Larry Sierpin, Left Waist Gunner; S/Sgt. John B. Reash, Engineer; Sgt. David J. Bolner, Right Waist Gunner

Front Row - Left to Right

2/Lt. Henry R. Stiles, Bombardier; 2/Lt. William A. Young, Navigator; 2/Lt. Clem W. Rider, Co-pilot; 2/Lt. Arthur A. Klinger, Pilot

above - Sgt. David J. Bolner

above - (left to right) Sgt. Larry Sierpin and 2/Lt. Henry R. Stiles

above - (left to right) 2/Lt. William A. Young, Sgt. Jack R. Grosh, 2/Lt. Arthur A. Klinger, and S/Sgt. John B. Reash

Photos contributed by Rod Luke

Nine O Nine Factoid - The crew photo above is a photo of the original crew of the Nine-O-Nine. This crew named the ship Nine-O-Nine and created the nose art of Columbus riding a bomb and holding a telescope. The B-17 in this photo is not the Nine-O-Nine. The crew's picture was taken at Pyote Rattlesnake Bomber Base Pyote, Texas. The photo was taken before the crew was deployed to England.

(from 323rd Dailies) This crew reported for a tour of operation duty on 25 March 1944.

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