Warren J. Draves

Warren J. Draves

Patch

Photo Album

of the

487th Bombardment Group

Family Story of the Nose Art

Warren J. Draves

Town of Marbletown Honor Roll

Warren J. Draves
Tail Gunner

Warren Draves' Girl
from Southport

Merry England

Warren Draves with his New Parka

London with Friends
Unknown, Warren Draves, Unknown, Unknown

Just After the "Doodlebug"

In Pub with Friend
Warren Draves, Unknown

Murphy's Motley Mob
Crew Member

The original was apparently a B-24 named "Murphy's Motley Mob"

The Crew Photo, taken at Pocatello, Idaho, Sept 10, 1943

This Photo was labeled Crew 561
Sept. 10, 43
Pocatello, Idaho

Standing (L to R):
Lt. James M. Murphy, ?. A. Josephson, Lt. Edward A Astasouskas (sp?), Lt. Howard J. Dries

Kneeling (L to R):
S/Sgt. R. W. Conner, Sgt. Warren J. Draves, S/Sgt. Geo Dikun, S/Sgt. Jack E. Kearns, S/Sgt. Charles D. Thompson, Sgt. Chas J. Molasky

The back of the "Crew 561" photo

S/Sgt R. W. Conner - Rochester, NY
S/Sgt Jack E. Kearns - Williard, NY
S/Sgt Geo Dikuns - St Clair, PA (sp?)
S/Sgt Charles D. Thompson - Kokomo, IN
Sgt Chas J. Molasky - LA, CA
Sgt Warren J. Draves - Kingston, NY
Lt James M. Murphy - Rochester, NY
Lt Edward A Astasouskas (sp?) - St Louis, MO
? A. Josephson - NYC (Bronx)
Lt Howard J. Dries - Bayside, NY

The story passed down through the family, is that Warren drew the original Nose Art for Murph's Motley Mob

This desiign is drawn on the back of a piece of note paper with the Alamagordo, NM logo

Age has taken a toll on this piece of paper. At some point the back side was taped over the folds to hold it together. It will no longer lay flat, but the detail is still visible. Across the top and down the side are the dimensions. At the top is the scale 1/2" = 5".

Capt. James M. Murphy
Pilot

S/Sgt Robert W. Conner
Arm Gunner

T/Sgt Charles D. Thompson
Radio Operator

During 1944 the crew of Murphy's Motley Mob was re-trained for B-17's and received a new plane. The crew apparently retained the nick name of 'Murphey's Motley Mob', but their new plane received different Nose Art "Jane & Sharon Ann."

Murph's Motley Mob
with Jane & Sharon Ann

Murph's Motley Mob
England -- Aug 1944

Standing (L to R)
-- Joseph Salka - Mechanic
T/Sgt. Jack E. Kearns - Engineer
1st Lt. Howard T Dries - Navigator
Capt. James M. Murphy - Pilot
1st Lt. Edward A Astasouskas - Co-Pilot
1st Lt. Thomas A. Wolf - Bombadier
M/Sgt. Leonard E. Foley - Crew Chief

Kneeling (L to R )
S/Sgt. Robert W. Conner - Arm Gunner
T/Sgt. Frank J. Molosky - Waist Gunner
T/Sgt. Warren J. Draves - Tail Gunner
T/Sgt. Charles D. Thompson - Radio Op