447th Badge447th Bomb Group
USAAF Station 126 - Rattlesden
Crew Profiles: Hoyer
   
6/15/44: 709th Sqdn, Rattlesden 
(S.O. 144, B0558-0688)
Missions flown: 2 
Photos on this page kindly provided by Mr. Thomas Holland

The Hoyer crew 
Standing, left to right:
S/Sgt Bernard Duwel, ENG
Lt. Charles Pearson, B
Lt. William Hoyer, P
Lt. Joseph Soyen, CP
Lt. John Riddell, N
Kneeling, L-R: 
Sgt. Thomas C. Holland, TG
Sgt. Floyd Broman, WG
S/Sgt Walter Degutis, WG
Sgt Edward Thornton, WG
S/Sgt Thomas Burke, BTG
Combat Missions
No. Date Target Aircraft
1 06/28/44 DENIAN-PROUVY 44-6027
2 06/29/44 BOHLEN 44-6027

Shortly after bombs-away, the aircraft received a direct flak hit and exploded.  Two members of the crew survived and were captured.

From MACR No. 6730 for A/C 44-6027
Pilot 2Lt William G. Hoyer KIA
Copilot 2Lt Joseph J. Soyen KIA
Navigator 2Lt John F. Riddell KIA
Bombardier 2Lt Charles W. Pearson POW
Top Turret S/Sgt Bernard A. Duwel KIA
Radio Operator S/Sgt Walter J. Degutis KIA
Ball Turret S/Sgt Thomas E. Burke KIA
Left Waist Sgt Edwin R. Thornton KIA
Right Waist Sgt Floyd L. Broman KIA
Tail Gunner Sgt Thomas C. Holland POW