National D-Day Museum Acquires Douglas C-47 Dakota "Skytrain"

Battle Scarred Veteran
"096" hauled Pathfinder Chalk 17 with many 508ers into Normandy as the invasion began. It also flew missions in Market Garden and Varsity.
The D-Day Museum has just announced the acquisition of C-47 (Tail Nr. 42-93096). In pristine condition, it will be flown to New Orleans and join the museum's displays   Donations may be made through the museum website.
Chalk 17 Members
pose before aircraft 42-93096 prior to taking off for Normandy. It may have been the last time a 508er flew in her.


Post War Ownership
found Finnish Air Lines using the plane as a commercial airliner under the Finnish registration of OH-LCE.  The aircraft is seen here at Malmi Airport, Helsinki in the winter of 1947 or 1948.
(Photo courtesy Alf Egil Johannessen
Medlemsregister Dakota Norway)

Seated: (air crew)
1 - 2/Lt. R. Perez
2 - 2/Lt. L. Vohs
3 - 2/Lt. E. Hamilton, Stone Mtn., GA
4 - 1/Lt. C. Gaudio (pilot)
(Paratroopers)
5 - 2/Lt. Lloyd L. Polette, F Co.
6 - Unknown
7 - Unknown		 Standing
[L-R]
 1- Pvt. S. Messenbrink
2- Pvt. R. Andreas, 508/E Co.
3 - Pvt. Jay Gerard, Friendly, MN
4 - Pfc. B. Moss
5 - Pvt. N. Willis, 508/ E Co., Niles, MI
6 - Pvt. N. Forkapa, 504th PIR
7 - Unknown
8 - Unknown
Kneeling
[L-R]:
1 - Sgt. Katsanis, 504th PIR
2 - Pvt. H. Jessup
3 - Pfc. H. Seale
4 - Cpl. E. King
5 - Pvt. F. Infanger, 508/E Co., Deer Park, NY
6 - Pfc. M. Daly, D Co.
7 - Pvt. J. Perdue, D Co.
8 - Pfc. C. Jones  		In Aircraft Door
 1 - 2/Lt. T. Murphy, 504th PIR