2nd Lt Charles Vergos was my father's orphaned bombardier from the 492nd BG 857th BS. Vergos wasn't on my father's plane when it was downed on 19 May 44, since the group was being lead by pathfinders. For sixty years all my father knew of Vergos' fate was that he had been killed in another mission. But he didn't know with who or when. Thanks to the internet, just two days ago he finally learned that his friend and bombardier was killed 27 Sep 44 flying with the 445th BG 703rd BS on aircraft #41-29579 MACR 9387. He learned that the mission was the infamous Kassel battle (445th mission #169) What he would like to know now is, Who was the pilot and crew? And were there any survivors? My father is Charles W. Arnett, pilot for crew #717 of the 492nd BG 857th BS. There is a total of four crew members still living, each wanting to know about their friend Charlie Vergos. And if possible, where was he buried or if a marker had been placed for him somewhere. I can be reached on the 492nd website, 492ndbombgroup.com using the message base link under Website. I'll also check here time to time for replies. Paul Arnett [signature]

Paul, P: 1LT Oliver B. Elder KIA CP: 2LT Roy E. Ellender POW WG: S/S Charles J. Deckert, JR. POW TTE: T/S Paul E. Devries POW RO: T/S John J. Donahue KIA WG: S/S John L. Durr POW TG: S/S Stanley H. Morse KIA N: 1LT Harold P. Whidden, JR. POW Vergos graduated from Midlands, TX bombardier class 43-15. Dave [signature]

Dave, Thanks for the info. My father will be extremely pleased. It means a lot to him. By the way, I checked out the bombardier website. It's a great site and is bookmarked in my favorites. Charlie Vergos isn't in the index there yet. Again, thanks for the quick response. Paul Arnett [signature]

Hi Paul,
 
Just checking in. We gave you a little more information on Vergos. Did you know that his pilot's Oliver Elder's) medals were sold last year on Ebay? What a travesty.

Linda Alice Dewey, President
Kassel Mission Historical Society
http://kasselmission.com