75th Anniversary -“Flying Fortress”
75th Anniversary In Memory Of
The Crew of “Flying Fortress” “Ascend Charlie” B-17F No 42-52903 of 571 Squadron 390th Bomb Group U.S. 8th Airforce who lost their lives when their battle damaged aircraft crashed into high ground near Llanbedr on the night of September 16th, 1943
Renovo Native Staff Sgt. Stanley B. Mason
First Lt. Herbert Turner Jr.
Second Lt. Frederick Broers
Second Lt. Robert Schanen
Second Lt. Orval Tofte
Staff Sgt. Philip Catania
Staff Sgt. Sherman Rambo
Staff Sgt. John Peterson
Staff Sgt. Swen Zetterberg
Staff Sgt. Alfred Monson
I am Robert Calhoun 2nd Class PO U.S. Navy. My story begins when my grandmother, Pauline Finnefrock, passed in 1981. At the time, I was serving in the Navy and I came home, and I received her brother Stanley Mason’s affects from WWII. At the time as a young man with no sense in his head, I did not realize what I had in my possession.
It was not until many years later reading an article about a local hero in The Record at one of our local gas stations on Memorial weekend that I realized this article was about my Great Uncle Stanley Mason and the crew of “Ascend Charlie” 42-5903.
The article also noted another local WWII hero John Curcio. John was a Tail Gunner in B-24s with the 8th Air Force and flew 35 missions.
I am a friend of “Johnny” because I have done many art projects for him, all B-24 related. I contacted “Johnny” to find out who this man “Derrie Edge” was that had written the article. Since that day I have been pen pal friends with Derrie.
Through planning on my part and help from my family and friends I was able to make the trip to England and meet my buddy Derrie and make the hike up the mountains for the 75th Crash Site Ceremony.
I would like to thank all my family and friends who made this trip possible. Especially the church and the locals of Llanbedr who were also a great help! Smile faces to all of you and our veterans on Veteran’s Day!!
