| Name | Wells, Benjamin Franklin ‡ |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Serial Number | O-703544 ‡ |
| Unit Assignments | Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #107 dated 8 June 1944, effective 5 June 1944. |
| Duty | Bombardier |
| MOS | 1035 - Bombardier |
| Last Duty Date | 20 July 1944 |
| Results |
Prisoner Of War POW Camp: Stalag Luft 1 Barth-Vogelsang Prussia 54-12 |
| Decorations | Awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on 20 July 1944 per General Orders #20, Headquarters, Miami District, AAF Personnel Distribution Command dated 31 August 1945. |
| Additional Information |
|
| Related Documents | Missing Air Crew Report # 7278⇓ (36.954 MB) |
| Photo Album: | Crew Photo Album⇗ |
| CREWMEMBER | POSITION | RESULTS |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd Lt. Bahten, John Irwin⇗ | Pilot | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Sine, George Henning⇗ | Co-pilot | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Cohn, Herbert Jay⇗ | Navigator | CT |
| 2nd Lt. Wells, Benjamin Franklin | Bombardier | POW |
| SGT. Biancalana, Mario Joseph⇗ | Radio Operator / Gunner | WIA |
| S/SGT. Santa Maria, Luis (NMI)⇗ | Engineer / Top Turret Gunner | CT |
| SGT. Higbie, Franklyn Henry⇗ | Ball Turret Gunner | CT |
| SGT. Jarreau, Lloyd Joseph⇗ | Ball Turret Gunner | CT |
| SGT. McCullough, Robert Eugene⇗ | Tail Gunner | CT |
| SGT. Eager, Robert Duane⇗ | Flexible Gunner | CT |
| Number | Date | Target | Position | Aircraft | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 137⇗ | 16 June 1944 |
Target: Athies Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Laon, France |
Bombardier | 42‑97204⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 138⇗ | 18 June 1944 |
Target: Ölwerke Julius Humbles Type: Oil Industry Location: Hamburg, Germany |
Bombardier | 44‑6080⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit 41A Group. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 139⇗ | 19 June 1944 |
Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Fleury & Crépy, France |
Bombardier | 42‑97150⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit 41B Group. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 140⇗ | 19 June 1944 |
Target: NOBALL (V-1 Launch Site) Type: CROSSBOW (V-Weapons) Location: Fleury & Crépy, France |
Bombardier | 42‑97204⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit 41A Group. Sortie Report⇗ |
| 158⇗ | 16 July 1944 |
Target: Aero Engine Factory Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Munich / München, Germany |
Bombardier | 42‑38013⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Sortie Report⇗ |
| 162⇗ | 20 July 1944 |
Target: Aircraft Plants Type: Aircraft Industry Location: Dessau, Germany |
Navigator | 42‑37974⇗ |
Combat Mission Credit Failed To Return High Group. At 1115 hrs aircraft dropped back and released bombs, apparently unable to keep up with formation; it was under attack by four ME109s and two FW190s; four chutes seen; the aircraft went down in a glide, apparently under control; crashed near Zetteritz, Germany. MACR 727. Sortie Report⇗ |