Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

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MDobs
Posts: 3
Joined: 18 Jul 2022 1734

Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

Post by MDobs » 25 Jul 2022 1910

Hello - would very much appreciate any information related to Wesley J. Hicks, my great uncle. Thanks in advance for your time reading my post. Below is all the information that I have.

KIA Jan 11, 1945 in Leyte, Philippines about 44-49480 https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-24/44-49480.html
90th/321BS
Plane serial number '480' does not match the '426' in the picture.

Article about crew member Andy Rausch's unsent love letter https://archive.jsonline.com/news/wisco ... 20181.html
This one behind a paywall https://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifes ... 1212020166
HicksCrew.PNG
I have a few other photos and a letter if anyone is interested.

Thanks!
Matt

Full crew:
Pilot 2nd Lt. Roger A. Ryder
Co-Pilot 2nd John B. O'Doherty
Pilot Instructor 2nd Lt. George W. Brautigam, Jr
Navigator 2nd Lt. Clinton T. Ferguson
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Alfonse M. Maynez
Radar Bombardier 2nd Lt. Donald R. Dunberg
Engineer TSgt Wesley J. Hicks
Gunner SSgt Walter C. Sankey, Jr.
Radio TSgt Robert F. Snelling
Gunner SSgt Tommy J. Grimes
Gunner SSgt Everett W. Welch
Gunner SSgt Andrew J. Rausch

Bob Tupa
Posts: 74
Joined: 14 Nov 2019 2103

Re: Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

Post by Bob Tupa » 05 Nov 2022 0017

I may be able to shed some light on the plane numbers. Crews did not usually have their own plane assigned to them although they may have flown a plane they are familiar with. The crew pictures were taken by the Photo Section and they would set up on a plane and take a crew photo of the crews that needed their picture taken on that day and that has caused much confusion when people attach significance to the plane and the crew that did not exist.

MDobs
Posts: 3
Joined: 18 Jul 2022 1734

Re: Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

Post by MDobs » 21 Nov 2022 1826

Hey Bob - thanks so much for the response and new information. That makes sense! -Matt

emartin62604
Posts: 1
Joined: 27 May 2023 2200

Re: Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

Post by emartin62604 » 27 May 2023 2207

Hi, Matt: Your great uncle and my grandfather were on the same plane that went down in 1945. My grandfather was the pilot - Roger A Ryder. I must say - in that photo of the crew you have, the man in standing in the back on the really left looks like my grandfather. I'm attaching a photo of him here (hopefully I attached it correctly).
Roger Ryder, 2nd Lt
Roger Ryder, 2nd Lt

MDobs
Posts: 3
Joined: 18 Jul 2022 1734

Re: Wesley J. Hicks - My info and looking for anything more

Post by MDobs » 05 Dec 2023 1623

Hi emartin,

I agree, that's definitely Roger in the back left of the photo I posted. Very nice to have virtually met you here!

Matt

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