the GOON

the goon was Assigned to the 14th Air Force, 308th Bombardment Group, 374th Bombardment Squadron. Nicknamed "The Goon" with the nose art of the character from Popeye Comics with hairy arms, legs and chest holding a yellow bomb. This B-24 flew at least 24 combat missions. Engines R-1830-43 serial numbers 42-59104, 42-59057, 42-59089 and 42-59266. On November 14, 1943 took off piloted by Captain Samuel J. Skousen from Chengkung Airfield in China at 4:30pm on a mission to bomb Kowloon Docks near Hong Kong and lay mines in the harbor. Aboard was the following crew:
Pilot Captain Samuel J. Skousen, O-661881 (stayed with plane, RTD)
Co-Pilot 1st Lt. Ralph E. Bowers, Jr., O-730070 (bailed out, RTD)
Navigator 1st Lt. Daniel J. Palmer, O-791624 (bailed out, RTD)
Bombardier 1st Lt. Malcolm S. Sanders, O-728513 (bailed out, MIA / KIA) WI
Engineer T/Sgt. Archie L. Fleharty, 17037803 (stayed with plane, RTD)
Radio Operator T/Sgt. William J. Novak, 18069299 (stayed with plane, RTD)
Top Turret Gunner / Asst. Engineer T/Sgt. Arthur J. Benko, 39847409 (bailed out, MIA / KIA) Bisbee, AZ
Gunner/Asst. Radio Operator S/Sgt Casper J. Chirieleison, 13042418 (bailed out, RTD)
Gunner T/Sgt. Robert M. Kirk, 16006724 (bailed out, RTD)
Observer Capt. James S. Edney, O-402440 (bailed out, RTD)

my great grand father was pilot captain Samul j Skousen not many people now there story but there story should be hared