C-47 # 43-15679  90th Troop Carrier Squadron

This C-47 was involved in the Market Garden operation and during Varsity. It took part in these operations as one of the ships of the 90th Troop Carrier Squadron.

During operation Market Garden the plane dropped paratroopers of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Unfortunatly the names of the crewmembers is unknown. However, it is known that the plane received hits from small arms fire.

It is unknown if the plane flew the glider mission on 18 September 1944, although this is very likely.  On the 19th the plane departed Greenham Common for a glider mission to Holland. The mission failed to reach the objective as the glider landed in England.

On September 21 the ship was involved in a re-supply mission to DZ-O near Grave. This was in support of the 82nd Airborne Division. The crew lost the other planes of the formation and returned home alone.

The ship was also involved in the Rhine mission. This time paratroopers of I-company, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment were dropped. The plane flew in serial A-3 and had chalk number 123. On this mission the following men crewed the plane:

1st Lt. Robert M. Bond (P)

2nd Lt. H.R. Beard (CP)

T/Sgt. Henry C. Wilke (CC)

S/Sgt. Benjamin R. Marley (RO)

Today the ship is part of the exhibit at the War Eagles Air Museum, Santa Teresa NM. Their website: http://www.war-eagles-air-museum.com/

September 17, 1944, Greenham Common. The 438th Troop Carrier Group, of which the 90th was one of the Squadrons,  load up.

C-47 # 43-15679 has radio call sign W.