EAGER BEAVER (V2) (PIC 2)

NAME	TP	-	M#	SER	-	BLK	-	MF	SERIAL #	AF	BG	BS	SC	RCL/#	V#-P	PHOTO CREDITS
EAGER BEAVER	B	-	24	D1	-	15	-	CO	41-24012	13	307	371	~	012	02-2	SOL STEIN

Port (Left) Side

Contributor - John W. Painter VIA Stu Stein (Nephew of Sol Stein)
From Jake Bauer (Artist / Nose Gunner): "I painted the name, EAGER BEAVER early in '43 while we were on a beer run back Espirito Santos. While I was painting, Joe E. Brown (the movie comedian), was hitchhiking rides to entertain the guys. He did this all on his own (No USO). I asked him to autograph the ship for luck. I never thought he would make it so big! Also, even a bigger thrill was to see the record missions of EAGER BEAVER still flying in '44. I was rotated in Oct. '43. We had brought the plane from Salina, Kansas in Dec 42. I was originally the Tail Gunner, but in May 43 they put the turret in the nose and I went with it." Crew was KIA 5 Jul 44 on 44-40611 (MACR 6526).

Standing (L-R)
T/Sgt. Benjamin T. Tampio - Engineer
1st Lt. Edward J. Rice - Pilot
1st Lt. Kenneth D. Smith - Co-Pilot
1st Lt. Marcel J. Bilder - Navigator
1st Lt. Lester P. Brown, Jr. - Bombardier
S/Sgt. Sam M. Manfredi - Tail Gunner

Kneeling (L-R)
S/Sgt. Donald E. Reed - Asst Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Thomas B. Silko - Radio Operator
S/Sgt. Earle W. Painter - Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Sol Stein - Asst Engineer