The crew arrived at Harrington some time before the reorganization of August 1944, and Blume flew his first combat mission with Prather (MR #1731) in that month. The crew managed five missions in September 1944. They remained at Harrington during the winter, and are listed for five more flights in the Late Period Log, and the officers being granted leave at least twice between August 1944 and February of 1945. On the night of 1 February 1945 they went missing on a training flight over the English Channel and were not heard of until Blume's body washed ashore later in the month. In addition to the original crew on the fatal night was the Mickey Operator, William Paul. Of the men in the picture Melvin "Jack" Cooney, CoPilot and second from the left standing, has been identified. Jason Dieffenbacher, grand-nephew of Dean K. Selig, has identified him as the front-row far left individual in this photo.

MACR 12152

Os:
Edward G.  Blume        - Pilot        ASN 0812727
Nelvin H.  Cooney       - Copilot      ASN 0706029
Louis      Grabelsky    - Navigator    ASN 0697846
William L. Paul         - H2X          ASN 0699565

EMs:
John J.    Reny         - Engineer     ASN 11029795
James H.   Riley        - R.O.         ASN 39263128
Dean K.    Selig        - Gunner       ASN 31030058
Phillip D. Pash,Sr.     - Gunner       ASN 35698125
Howard S.  Johnson      - Gunner *     ASN 33030032

ASNs so-colored for EMs link to their NARA Enlistment Records.

* Johnston also had a 757 MOS - Radio Operator. He flew 9 missions out of Leuchars with the Brandenburg crew and was orphaned at Harrington when that crew went DS to Italy.

Picture Date:     Unknown, probably Autumn 1944  
Picture Location: Unknown, probably Harrington
Picture Credit:   801st/492nd BG Association Archives