The 6th Bomb Group

Thanks to Bernard E. Wilson, left gunner, and David Wilson, his son, for the information on the plane name and names of crew members.

According to Bernard Wilson, the aircraft was named "Anonymous IV" because the crew chief had three planes shot down before becoming their crew chief and wanted no part in naming their aircraft.

This crew was assigned a crew number of 2404.  They may have been replacements for the original crew 2404, which was lost on May 23.  The crew members were:

1/Lt Lt John C. Howett (Aircraft Commander)
2/Lt James A. Brewton (Pilot)
2/Lt James H. Aiman (Navigator)
2/Lt Charles E. Pickett (Bombardier)
2/Lt Philip R. Pilling (Radarman)
Sgt Malcolm W. Douglas (Engineer)
Sgt James C. Bishop (Radio Operator)
Sgt Raymond S. Raetz (CFC)
Cpl Jack B. Denny (Right Gunner)
Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Left Gunner)
Cpl Marion L. Long (Tail Gunner)

The crew of Anonymous IV in front of "Queen of the Air", a plane they may used in training.
Photo provided by Bernard and David Wilson, all rights reserved.

Standing - Left to Right: 2/Lt James A. Brewton (Pilot), 2/Lt Charles E. Pickett (Bombardier), 2/Lt James H. Aiman (Navigator), 2/Lt Phillip R. Pilling (Radarman), 1/Lt Lt John C. Howett (Aircraft Commander).
Kneeling - Left to Right: Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Left Gunner), Cpl Jack B. Denny (Right Gunner), Sgt Malcolm W. Douglas (Engineer), Sgt Raymond S. Raetz (CFC), Sgt James C. Bishop (Radio Operator), Cpl Marion L. Long (Tail Gunner).

Here is a picture of most of the crew of Anonymous IV standing in front of Big Joe. They flew "Big Joe" with 1/Lt Claude A. Johnstone (Aircraft Commander) for their first five missions. At the same time, 1/Lt Lt John C. Howett (Aircraft Commander) flew with the crew of Big Joe.

Photo provided by Bernard and David Wilson, all rights reserved.

Standing - Left to Right: Sgt Bernard E. Wilson (Left Gunner), Cpl Jack B. Denny (Right Gunner), Cpl. Marion L. Long (Tail Gunner), Sgt Malcolm W. Douglas (Engineer), S/Sgt. Raymond E. Raetz (Central Fire Control), Sgt James C. Bishop (Radio Operator)
Kneeling - Left to Right: 2/Lt Phillip R. Pilling (Radarman), 2/Lt Charles E. Pickett (Bombardier), 1/Lt Claude A. Johnstone (Aircraft Commander of Big Joe), 1/Lt John C. Howett (Pilot), 2/Lt James H. Aiman (Navigator).

The crew chief for this airplane was S/Sgt Joseph S. Nosarzewski.