Lashin
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Pictures of the 447
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04/19/2008 02:29:51 PM
Hi,
I have pictures of my Father-in-law crew, when he was with the plane of Louie the Creep. I also have a question, I had a Great uncle the was in WWI and does anyone have a good Forum to go to, need to find some pictures of him.
Thanks
If you would like any pictures let me know
Karen
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LUCKY PARTNERS
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847
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- Joined: 03/04/2007
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RE: Pictures of the 447
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04/19/2008 03:25:20 PM
Karen, What is your father-in-laws name? Attached is a photo of James Ray that was in the Naples Daily News some months ago when the EAA was visiting with their B-17 "Aluminum Overcast". I was under the impression that he was the original pilot who named Louie the Creep, later to be Bit o'Lace. Made several attempts to contact Mr Ray but had no luck. My father flew 33 missions with the 447th in the fall of 1944. I am ALWAYS interested in receiving information regarding the 447th. If you have any photos you would be willing to share I can send you my e-mail address via the PM system on this forum. Hal [image]local://12384/50E89D7AC2694AEDA910F04FD58E91DF.jpg[/image]
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Lashin
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RE: Pictures of the 447
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04/19/2008 05:37:09 PM
Hi Hal,
My Father-In-Law was Jerry Lashin, Louie the Creep was named after one of the Crew members. My Husband Dan was in touch with James Ray, back in 1993, and than he was living in Ketchum Idaho, although am not to sure that he is still there, or even still alive, If you want I can check SSDI and still he has passed. And I have been going through the pictures that Jerry and he had alot of the crew.
If you want you can give me your e-mail address and I can send you some pictures... Who was your Dad?
Karen
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LUCKY PARTNERS
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RE: Pictures of the 447
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04/19/2008 05:47:36 PM
Karen,
Ray is still alive, or at least he was a few months ago. He was part of a full page write up in the local paper just a few months ago. It included an interview and a current photo as well as the one I posted. There is a James C. Ray in our phone book but half a dozen messages left on his answering machine were not returned. Could be he just did not want to be bothered. My father, Hal Kiena, was radio operator in the Hoffman crew in the 710th Squadron. He flew 33 missions between August 24, 1944 and November 27, 1944. Will send you a PM shortly with my e-mail address.
By the way, legend has it that 'Louie the Creep' was a character created by Damon Runyon. I've never read any Runyon so I cannot confirm that.
Regards,
Hal
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Square K
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RE: Pictures of the 447
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04/30/2008 10:20:34 PM
Karen, Here is the Ray Crew.  Ray crew, 709th
Rattlesden, undated Assigned 27 May 1944
Standing, L-R:
Sgt James Hosek
Lt Dustin Slade
Lt James C. Ray
Lt Frank Schmandle
Lt Ralph M. Pederson
Sgt Donald Lewis
Kneeling, L-R:
S/Sgt Bobby Hicks
Sgt Donald L. Smith
(3 unidentified ground crew)
Sgt Roscoe S. Johnson
Sgt Jerry Lashin Karen have you spoke to Don Smith? He has much to say on the topic of the name being changed from Louie the Creep to Bit O Lace. Let me know and I can pass you his phone #. Thanks, Keith
-Keith Hardie Nephew of John David Hardie, 447th BG waist gunner. www.447bg.com
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