B-24 Original Crew #69 – November 1944 Topeka, KS
McQueen - Wentz - Boyer Barczy – Carson – Johannsson – Jewell – Hanford – Robbins
| NAME | RANK | SERIAL# | POSITION | HOME | DIED | |
| Barczy, Zoltan J. | S/Sgt | #36467214 | Waist Gunner | Detroit, MI | 16 Jun 2000 | |
| Boyer, Robert M. | 2/Lt | #02069928 | Navigator/Bomber | Winnetka, IL | Oct 23, 2002 (age 83) | |
| Carson, Jerome H. | T/Sgt | #36727881 | Radio Operator/Waist Gunner | California | 1975 | |
| Hanford, Edwin H. | S/Sgt | Nose Gunner/Toggleer | Evanston, IL | 1968 | ||
| Jewell, Robert C. | S/Sgt | #36895035 | Tail Gunner | Bisbee, Arizona | April 18, 2006 (age 83) | |
| Johansson, Harold C. | T/Sgt | #32984845 | Flight Engineer | Fairlawn, NJ | 7 years older | |
| McQueen, Donald S. | 2/Lt | #0834463 | Co-Pilot | Gross Point, MI | March 1, 2011 (age 86) | |
| Robbins, John A. | S/Sgt | #13137804 | Armorer (Ball Turret/Belly) Gunner | MD | Jan 2018
(age 92) |
|
| Sawicki, John | Sgt | #T-132732 | Bombardier/Gunner | |||
| Wentz, William B. | 1/Lt | #0828850 | Pilot | Philadelphia, PA | January 10, 2015 (age 90) |
Jewell, Robert C.
Birth: Jun. 1, 1922
Death: Apr. 18, 2006
Enlistment: 22-Sep-43 to 7-Nov-45
Lived 83 years, 10 months, 17 days
McQueen, Donald S.
September 18, 1924 – March 01, 2011
Donald Stewart McQueen of Birmingham, Michigan passed away peacefully on March 1 at William Beaumont Hospice. He was 86 years old. He was born in Detroit, September 18, 1924 to Bertha (nee Michaelis) and Stewart McQueen.
Mr. McQueen worked in the floor covering industry most of his life. He established his own business, McQueen’s Carpets, in Birmingham in 1964. This business is still a family operation run by his son, Greg, since Donald’s retirement. During this period of his life he was also an active member of the Birmingham Rotary.
Donald served proudly in the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II as a B17 pilot. He flew 28 missions in Europe. His success in combat was driven by the same passion that drove all of his endeavors. He took up sailing in the 60’s and immediately purchased a sailing yacht. Soon he was competing and winning sailing regattas, with his son Greg and his son-in law, Charles Tompkins, on Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes. He went on to win an extraordinary number of Bayview Mackinac races with various yachts named “Sundance.”
He took up golf with the same passion. He shared his love of the game with his wife and introduced many of his family members to the sport. He also loved cooking. He spent many evenings creating wonderful meals for family and friends long before it became fashionable for men to be in the kitchen.
All of these endeavors and interests were a distant second to his devotion and unconditional love of his family. He is survived by his devoted wife of 29 years, Leigh; daughter, Brooke (Charles) Tompkins and son, Greg (Jennifer) McQueen. “Papa” leaves behind his grandchildren, Tracy (David) Skupien, Katherine (Scott) McSkimming, Charles (Kathryn) Tompkins, IV, Alex, Carly and Amanda McQueen. He also leaves behind 6 great grandchildren. This love was extended to all of Leigh’s family members. All have been touched by his kind and generous spirit.
In lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated to Department of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars, P.O. Box 24156, Lansing, Michigan 48909 or the Yankee Air Museum, P.O. Box 590, Belleville, Michigan 48112.
W. Budd Wentz 