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 359th Halpin Crew
Robert H. Halpin, Pilot
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ROBERT H. HALPIN CREW - 359th BS
(F/O Halpin assignment to 359th BS: unknown - photo: 18 May 1944)
(1Lt Halpin upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot: Orders dated 22 April 1944)

(Back L-R) 2Lt Maurice C. Daum (CP), 1Lt Robert H. Halpin (P), 2Lt Milton S. Riley (N)

(Front L-R) S/Sgt Robert E. Manchester (Tog), unidentified, S/Sgt Charles E. Quinn (LWG),
T/Sgt George A. Zitzler (R), S/Sgt Robert I. McKenna (TG), unidentified

Unidentified crewman are:
S/Sgt Robert K. Merrow (E), T/Sgt Robert F. Jaouen (RWG), Sgt James V. Franceschini

Twenty-nine Combat missions of 1Lt Robert H. Halpin:
As a Lead Crew Tail Gunner/Observer: - Nineteen missions (50, 54, 61, 67, 76, 83, 88, 93, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 109, 110, 118, 122, 129, 133)
As a combat crew CoPilot: - Five missions (62, 63, 101, 138, 139) with four different Pilots.
As a combat crew 1st Pilot: - Five missions (146, 153, 155, 158, 164)
First mission - 14 July 43. Final mission 29 May 44. Was a Flight Officer when assigned to the 359th BS. Promoted to 2nd Lt in December 1943 and 1st Lt in March 1944.
For mission dates and targets see the missions list.

1Lt Halpin Crew:
1Lt Halpin never had a regularly assigned crew on his five missions as a 1st Pilot Missions 146 and 153 with pick-up crewmen.
Missions 155, 158 and 164 crewmen were as follows:

  • Officer Crewmen - On all three missions 1Lt Robert H. Halpin (P), 2Lt Maurice C. Daum (CP) and 2Lt Milton S. Riley (N). 2Lt Maurice C. Daum had previously flew mission as both Pilot and CoPilot with other crews.
  • Enlisted crewmen - Crew positions and missions
    • S/Sgt Robert E. Manchester (TOG)155, 158 (BTG) 164
    • S/Sgt Robert K. Merrow (E) 155 (TOG) 164 (Also as (E) on 153)
    • S/Sgt William D. Mahaffey (E) 158, 164
    • T/Sgt George A. Zitzler (R) - 155, 158, 164
    • Sgt James V. Franceschini (BTG) 155 (LWG) 158
    • S/Sgt Andy Rohaly (BTG) 158
    • S/Sgt Charles E. Quinn (WG) -155 (TG) 158, 164
    • T/Sgt Robert F. Jaouen (WG) - 155, 158, 164
    • S/Sgt Robert I. McKenna (TG) - 155 (Also as (TG) on 146)

[photo from the 303rdBGA Archives]
[Researched by Historian Harry D. Gobrecht]