Five Crew Members of the YB-49 Daniel Hugh Forbes, Jr. Born - June 6, 1920 in Carbondale, KS, an only child Parents - Daniel Sr. and Hattie Forbes of Topeka, KS Wife - former Hazel Moog of Defiance, OH Graduated - North High School Wichita, KS Attended - Wichita University Wichita, KS (now Wichita State University) Attended Kansas State College, Manhattan, KS (now Kansas State University) Joined - the US Army - 5 Jun 1941 as an Aviation Cadet Became - one of the pioneers of strategic photoreconnaissance flying combat missions from bases in North Africa and India piloting the B-17, B-24, and several other aircraft. Continued - the photoreconnaissance missions in the Pacific theater flying the B-29 airframe (re-designated F-13) and continued through the Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests. Glen Walter Edwards Born - March 5, 1918 in Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada, the youngest of 8 children Parents - Claude and Mary Edwards of Lincoln, CA Graduated - Lincoln High School Lincoln, CA Graduated - Placer College Auburn, CA Graduated - University of California at Berkeley Graduated - Princeton University Princeton, NJ Joined - the US Army - summer of 1941 as an Aviation Cadet Accomplished - 50 combat missions flying the A-20 Bomber in North Africa, sometimes completing 5 missions in one day. Last assignment - Test Pilot, Flight Test Center Wright Field, OH Hobbies included - Hunting, Dancing, Cooking, Snow Skiing Edward Lee Swindell Born - April 22, 1916, Hyde County, North Carolina Parents - Rudolph and Eula Swindell of Virginia Beach, VA Wife - former Edna Hayman of Virginia Beach, VA. Married Jan 2, 1942 Daughter - Carol Lynn Graduated - Greatbridge High School, Fentress, VA Graduated - Yale University New Haven, CT Joined - the US Army - summer of 1934 serving 3 years Employment - Civilian at Norfolk Naval Station Rejoined - US Army - After December 7, 1941 Cadet Officer Training - 1944 Army of Occupation in Germany - 1946 Last assignment - Flight Engineer, Flight Test Center Wright Field, OH Hobbies Included - Photography, Golf, Drafting, Music Charles H. LaFountain Born - June 12 1925 in Luzurne, NY, the youngest of 2 children Parents - Leo and Gladys LaFountain of Hudson Falls, NY Graduated - Hudson Falls High School, Hudson Falls, NY Attended - Union College Schenectady, NY Graduated - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NY US Navy Reserve V-12 Program - summer of 1943 Cadet Ensign - US Navy Reserve Civilian Aeronautical Engineer - Flight Test Center Wright Field, OH Note: The Navy V-12 program allowed some male students the opportunity to finish their studies prior to service, delaying their entry into combat, and providing the university with a smoother transition between full enrollment and the depleted rolls that resulted from the draft. As "enlisted reserves" students could remain in classes until needed. To be eligible for the program students had to remain in college, maintain their standing, or be immediately called to active duty. The student would be commissioned with the grade of Ensign upon graduation. Hobbies Included - Humanitarian Causes (Red Cross, Crippled Children's Aid, etc.) Tennis, Music Clare C. Leser Born - June 27, 1925, the youngest of 4 children Parents - Mr. and Mrs. Henry Leser of Joliet, IL Graduated - Joliet Catholic High School Joliet, IL Graduated - Notre Dame University Notre Dame, IN US Navy Reserve V-12 Program - summer of 1943 Cadet Ensign - US Navy Reserve Civilian Aeronautical Engineer - Flight Test Center Wright Field, OH Note: The Navy V-12 program allowed some male students the opportunity to finish their studies prior to service, delaying their entry into combat, and providing the university with a smoother transition between full enrollment and the depleted rolls that resulted from the draft. As "enlisted reserves" students could remain in classes until needed. To be eligible for the program students had to remain in college, maintain their standing, or be immediately called to active duty. The student would be commissioned with the grade of Ensign upon graduation. Hobbies Included - Music, Basketball, Flying