Eakin's Crew

LT Eakin's Crew

Front (L to R): LT Dean Eakin (P), LT Daniel Casey (CP), LT Joseph Grabow (N), LT James Stewart (B).  Standing: (L to R): TSGT Wendell Holmes (FE), TSGT Fay Daniel (RO/G), SSGT Sloan Gibson (TG/A), SSGT Clinton Kimbro (WG), SSGT Tharon Eicher (BG), SSGT Joe Harris (WG). (Photo courtesy of Daniel Eakin, nephew of Dean Eakin and crew info courtesy of Keith Grabow, son of Joseph Grabow).

LT Eakin took his check ride with LT Weatherly's crew, while the rest flew their first mission under the leadership of LT Chisena.  LT Eakin was killed on mission 130 when flak entered the cabin, and striking him and penetrating his flak vest. The Copilot was able to return the aircraft to base, and landed in a heavy snow storm.  The crew completed their combat tour on that day after 26 missions.  SSGT Harris was removed from the crew and re-assigned prior to their first combat mission as a result of the AAF reducing crew sizes.

LT Eakin was originally buried at the American Cemetery at Cambridge, England.  He was returned to home, Lake City, IA, after the war.  His re-interment service was attended by sergeants Daniel, Kimbro and Gibson.
CREW INFO
Name Rank Position First Mission Last Mission Status
Dean F. Eakin LT Pilot 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Weatherly. KIA.
Daniel Casey LT Copilot 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
Joseph C. Grabow LT Navigator 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
James P. Grant LT Pin Pt. Navigator 12/30/44 03/14/45 Flew only 5 missions with this crew
James A. Stewart LT Bombardier 08/02/44 01/10/45 22 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
Wendell I. Holmes TSGT Flight Engineer 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
Fay E. Daniel TSGT Radio Operator 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
Tharon H. Eicher SSGT Gunner 08/02/44 01/03/45 31 missions.  Flew 19 missions with Eakin and 12 with other crews.
Clinton F. Kimbro SSGT Gunner 08/02/44 01/10/45 27 missions.  First mission with LT Chisena.
Sloan D. Gibson SSGT Gunner 08/02/44 01/10/45 31 missions.  Flew 20 missions with Eakin and 11 with other crews.
Joe Harris SSGT Waist     Re-assigned prior to combat.
 
MISSION INFO
MISSION DATE NAME ID S/N TYPE
052 08/03/44 Norah PH 43-37952 B17G
055 08/06/44 Blue Grass Girl PM 43-38031 B17G
060 08/13/44 Norah PH 43-37952 B17G
062 08/15/44 Norah PH 43-37952 B17G
066 08/25/44 Snow White NR 43-38136 B17G
067 (abort) 08/26/44 Easy Movement TL 43-38041 B17G
071 09/03/44 Norah TV 43-37952 B17G
072 09/05/44 Winged Virgin DM 43-38149 B17G
073 09/09/44   NG 43-37966 B17G
075 09/11/44 Easy Movement PL 43-38041 B17G
076 09/12/44   NN 43-38137 B17G
078 09/17/44 Flak Plow DK 43-37959 B17G
079 09/19/44 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
080 09/21/44 Lil' Butch/Rodney Rocks NP 43-38142 B17G
092 10/15/44 Old Man's Folly NJ 43-37891 B17G
100 11/02/44 Old Man's Folly NJ 43-37891 B17G
104 11/09/44   TC 43-37910 B17G
105 11/10/44 Old Man's Folly NJ 43-37891 B17G
110 11/30/44   PH 43-38163 B17G
116 12/16/44   PB 44-8025 B17G
118 12/24/44   PB 44-8025 B17G
120 12/28/44   PB 44-8025 B17G
122 12/30/44   PL 4x-xx075 B17G
126 01/03/44   PA 44-8002 B17G
128 01/07/44   PA 44-8002 B17G
130 01/10/44   PA 44-8002 B17G
 
Created 09/10/99 Modified 08/03/22

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