Mellen Crew - in Alamagordo, NM - 838th Squadron
Back Row Left to right: Unknown (radioman), 1st Lt George Bursik (Navigator), 1st Lt Alexander R. Magee (Bombardier), 2nd Lt Lorin McCleary (Co-pilot), Captain Riggs Mellen (Pilot)
Front Row Left to Right: S/Sgt Albert L. Ross (tail gunner), S/Sgt A. Ellis Cates (gunner), S/Sgt Paul E. Gleeson (crew chief & top turret), S/Sgt Sidney A. Coates (gunner), S/Sgt Anthony B. Jansma (Ball turret gunner). Identifications by George Bursik.
Comment by Lorin McCleary (son of Lorin McCleary in this photo). My father, Lorin McCleary was assigned as first pilot on another ship once the men reached Lavenham and he was Killed in Action on the 11-May-1944 mission when the aircraft was hit by flak over Chateaudun and exploded in mid-air. I understand that Albert Ross was also later lost in action.
(Photo provided by Lorin McCleary)