406th NLS
Ferguson Crew

The crew are shown here at Cheddington, names supplied by Charles Spirk, Jr..

Os:
William B.  Ferguson,Jr.    - Pilot         ASN 0828996  (KIA)
James P.    Rush,Jr.        - Copilot       ASN 0828996  (KIA)
James R.    Wagner          - Navigator     ASN 02063505
Fred N.     Bush,Jr.        - Bombardier    ASN 02064397

EMs:
Russell M. Onderdonk         - R.O.          ASN 32634685
Walter A.  Peszek            - Tail Gunner   ASN 36724697
Harold     Garver            - Engineer      ASN 15336136
Harry D.   Smith             - Waist Gunner  ASN 35578265
William L. Blackard,Jr.      - Waist Gunner  ASN 37633136
Charles    Spirk,Jr.         - Gunner        ASN 33685906

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

This excerpt from Pat Carty's 'Secret Squadrons of the 8th' describes the incident:

On the following night, 21 January, an aircraft was lost together with two
men. Lt Ferguson was returning from a mission and due west of his last target,
when his No 1 engine went off-tune. He was unable to feather it and because
it started to vibrate severely, he put the aircraft into a glide to keep up
the airspeed. At 12,000ft his No 3 engine started surging and then began to
'run-away'. No 1 started to smoke and, as though it was feeling left out,
No 2 began to give trouble. Ferguson had no option but to shut off the fuel
to both engines and give the 'bale-out' order. With the exception of Ferguson
and Lt Rush his co-pilot, the rest of the crew jumped. As they did, No 3
engine went out. This left just No 4, but that was now whistling. Within
seconds the aircraft caught fire and plummeted to earth, exploding on
contact with the ground. Both Ferguson and Rush were killed. The radio
operator, Russell Onderdonk, broke his leg and before long the rest of the
crew joined him in Rheims Hospital with ankle and knee injuries.

The aircraft, B24J 42-50484, named 'Gerocko' went to ground near Reims, France.