Robert graduates flight school.
After completing 35 missions and returning from Europe, Robert met Bette Peynado, and they soon married. They would have four children.
Robert spent many years on the road as a salesman and eventually worked in the tile and carpet business in Los Angeles, California.
Robert often boasted that some of Hollywood's biggest stars walked all over his work. He and Bette would be married for 55 years.
Robert passed away on June 23, 2002, at the age of 80.
His wish for a burial at sea was honored off the coast of Monterey, California.
The impact of Robert and Bette's lives continues to flourish in their eight grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren. We miss them dearly.
Lorimer flew 35 missions with the Sharp Crew as the Co-Pilot.
After the war, Lorimer was immediately transferred and assigned to the Occupation of Japan in the city of Tachikawa.
His wife, Josephine, joined him there, and their two children were born in Japan.” From there, he was assigned to various locations in Europe, with his final tour of service at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
With over twenty years of service, Larry retired from the U.S. Air Force as a major.
Feeling he had more to contribute to the nation’s burgeoning aerospace frontier, Larry joined NASA as a contractor for Philco-Ford. There, he held the titles of Technical Operator and Flight Controller. Working from the Mission Control Center in Houston, he provided critical ground support for the Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions.
After leaving NASA in the early 1980s, Larry opened an electronics repair shop, bringing his decades of high-level technical expertise to his local community. As his family fondly recalls, “He could fix anything and never slowed down.”
Larry passed away on February 17, 2003, at the age of 86. He and Josephine leave behind five grandchildren and two great grandchildren
Fred completed 36 combat missions as a Flight Engineer and Top Turret Gunner, earning the Air Medal for Meritorious Service.
After his honorable discharge, Fred returned to the U.S. In 1950, he married the late Ida Ricciardi, the "prettiest Italian girl" he'd ever seen.
Their loving marriage spanned 60 years and blessed them with two sons, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
An active community member, he served with the Fairview Fire Department and as president of the Mt. Pleasant Seniors.
Fred was the last surviving crew member and passed away August 11, 2023 at the age of 99.
At the age of 19, George Naimy enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942. After nearly two years of training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 493rd Bomb Group as a navigator on a B-17
George flew thirty-four missions with the Sharp Crew. Upon discharge from the service, he was assigned to the Nonaffiliated Reserve Section of the Air Force.
After the war, George attended Wayne State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree. He went on to marry Joyce Farah in 1953 and they had 3 children and three grandchildren
George worked in the banking industry as well as manufacturing. After leaving those jobs, he and Joyce opened Joys Hallmark, which they owned and operated for twenty-five years.
George passed away from cancer on Valentines Day 1995. He had just turned 70.
Robert flew 35 missions with the Sharp Crew
After the war and serving his country with pride, Robert met and married the love of his life, Gloria Jean Musick. They shared fifty-nine years of marriage and raised three children, ten grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren.
Known for his strong work ethic, Robert built a successful business specializing in printing labels for candy. As he liked to say, “A sweet legacy in more ways than one.”
In his 90s, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting Fiji—twice. Robert is remembered for living a full, healthy, and happy life, marked by resilience, deep devotion to family, and the joy of seeing his dreams come true.
Robert passed away on April 7, 2018.
At age 18, Nyal joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943 and trained to be a tail gunner aboard a B-17 Bomber.
He successfully completed 35 missions with the Sharp Crew. On one such mission it’s believed Nyal shot down an enemy fighter but could not be confirmed. In his words, “Another gunner from a nearby B-17 took credit.”
Prior to departing the United States, he married his high school sweetheart Ellen Ardella Burgener.
Upon returning to his hometown of Boise, Idaho he and Ellen would go on to have nine children.
Nyal worked for Pitney Bowes and he operated a dairy farm.
He passed away on June 12, 2017 at the age of 92 with his wife Ellen of 72 years by his side. At the time, his family had grown to 28 grandchildren 48, great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Charles Howe - Ball Turret Gunner
Roy Neal - Radio Operator
Valentine Weber - Nose Gunner/ Togglier) (bomb release)