The Mark L. Golden crew: 708th Squadron
Possibly a photo of the Mark L Golden crew, 708th, May/June 1944. Crew was shot down MIA-POW 6/18/1944, on bombing of Misburg, Germany.
Shot down at Ohlum on 6/18/44 in B-17 43-37714
James A Waltonblack listed as the Co-Pilot
Flights with Mark L. Golden listed as Pilot
These lists are NOT limited to officially credited Combat missions, and may include Aborts, returns and non-takeoff occurrences as well.”
| 447th Mission (Date) | Target | Plane Number | Notes |
| #78 (03-Jun-44) | Pas de Calais / Audresselles, France | 42-102591 | |
| #82 (06-Jun-44) | Caen, France | 42-102632 | |
| #84 (06-Jun-44) | Argentan, France | 42-102632 | |
| #85 (07-Jun-44) | Nantes, France | 42-31095 | Landed at Gravesden |
| #88 (12-Jun-44) | Conches, France | 42-97400 | |
| #89 (14-Jun-44) | Florennes, Belgium | 43-37714 | |
| #90 (15-Jun-44) | Misburg, Germany | 43-37714 | |
| #91 (18-Jun-44) | Misburg, Germany | 43-37714 | MISSING |
Mark L Golden; Pilot |
Mark Golden |
Alvin W Long; Navigator |
Rudolph G Giannoni; Waist Gunner |
Raymond F Gaswint; Tail Gunner |
Homer S Howes; Crew Chief, Engineer, Top Turret Gunner |
James A. McColgan; Bombardier |
James Walton Black and father |
James A. McColgan |
James A. McColgan |
John J Kauufman Jr; Radio Operator |
James Arthur McColgan‘s original crew was assigned to the 452nd Bomb Group but was ultimately shot down on the Flatbush Floogie. Lt. McColgan, however, switched to a different crew, later known as the Golden Crew, assigned to the 447th, 708th Squadron.
Their journey to join the 447th in Rattlesden, England, involved several setbacks, including the unavailability of new B-17s in Nebraska. Eventually, they arrived in England in May 1944, undergoing training missions to acclimatize to European flying conditions. Lt. McColgan participated in the D-Day bombing runs in support of the invasion, coinciding with his brother’s involvement with the 1st Infantry Division on Omaha Beach.
Tragically, on June 18th, 1944, Lt. McColgan’s B-17G was shot down over Germany during a mission to bomb an oil refinery. Despite sustaining heavy damage, he assisted in the evacuation of the aircraft, ensuring the survival of most of his crew. Captured by German forces, he endured interrogation and spent nearly a year as a prisoner of war, facing harsh conditions that impacted his health for the rest of his life. The Pilot Lt. Mark Golden was the only casualty from this mission, and it is believed his parachute failed to open during the evacuation of the plane.
Following his liberation in May 1945, Lt. McColgan returned to the United States, where he received numerous accolades for his service, including the Air Medal and Purple Heart. He continued his military career, transitioning to the United States Air Force and serving in Korea as a trainer for bomb crews in Okinawa. He would later serve in intelligence before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in the early 1960’s.
Homer Howes after release from POW camp in Germany 1945
Some photos/information provided by:
Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database