Pictured here is the 563rd Bomb Squadron’s Cunningham Crew

Pictured here is the 563rd Bomb Squadron’s Cunningham Crew, with Douglas-Long Beach-built B-17F-60-DL, serial number 42-3425, named “In God We Trust,” the ship they flew on six of their eight completed combat missions before being shot down on their ninth during the Stuttgart mission of September 6, 1943. Both the Cunningham crew and this ship flew their first mission on August 12, 1943 and were lost in only three weeks’ time. Kneeling, from left to right, are TSgt. Russel J. Condry (Radio Operator), TSgt. Lewis E. Baker (Flight Engineer), SSgt. Marius L. Brohard (Right Waist Gunner), SSgt. Earl W, Sonke (Tail Gunner), SSgt. Johnny E, Lovlin (Ball Turret) and SSgt. William J. Lobis (Left Waist Gunner). Standing from left to right, are 2nd Lt. Anthony B. Masa (Navigator), 2nd Lt. Richard N. Cunningham (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Warren Foote (Co-pilot) and 2nd Lt. Joseph A. Crowley (Bombardier). All except for pilot Cunningham and waist gunner Lobis became POWs – Cunningham was able to evade capture and SSgt. Morris L. Tryon (Left Waist Gunner) was a replacement gunner for Lobis on this mission and became a POW. (Courtesy Dick Henggeler)