Lt. David Kistlers Crew

This photo was most likely taken at Topeka, Kansas, when they picked up their plane, all crew members signed this picture.

Back Row (standing)- Pvt. John T. Oldroyd- top turret gunner; Sgt. Floyd (Whitey) Maurice Schlauch- tail gunner; Sgt. Benjamin (Benny) A. Matthews- radio operator/waist gunner; Sgt. James (Mickey) F. Flynn- nose gunner; S/Sgt. Louie Carlo Cimpanelli- ball-turret-gunner; Sgt.Will Bentzen-engineer.

Front row- (kneeling)- 2nd Lt. David (Dave) L. Kistler- pilot; 2nd Lt. Robert (Bob) Laurence- co- pilot; 2nd Lt. Paul A. Heesen Jr.-navigator; Thaddeus (Ted) C. Gajda- bombardier.

On May 17, 1944 crew #3596 left Gowan Field, Idaho for Topeka, Kansas to pick up a new B-24 and head overseas. on May 26,1944, they left Topeka, Kansas for Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Fla. On the way overseas, Co-pilot Bob Laurence was hospitalized in Florida due to pnuemonia and the crew proceeded to San Pan with a new co-pilot. After recovering, Bob Laurence also went to San Pancrazio, Italy where he joined Charlie Andrews as his co-pilot and finished his missions with his crew. See The Charles Andrews Crew- 515th Squadron.