Crew 54 was originally commanded by Lieutenant Savage (0-745846) during third phase training at Tonopah, Nevada.  At some point prior to December 1944 he was replaced as pilot by the co-pilot on the crew, 2Lt Charles W. "Red" Stilson.  Sgt. Frady (38371355), listed as "lower turret gunner" was also replaced by S/Sgt Herbert F. McBride before the crew completed their training.

While the majority of 458th crews flew their Liberators via the Southern Ferry Route to the European Theater, it appears that Crew 54 flew their B-24H "Belle Of Boston" via the Northern Ferry Route.  On February 4, 1944 they were forced to land at Rinneanna Airfield in neutral Ireland where they were interned for a week or so.  It is not clear what necessitated their landing.  Official records state "lost bearings, low on fuel, and claiming radio problems", while another source puts the blame on an encounter with a bird through the cockpit windshield.  The aircraft was released on February 10th and continued on to Horsham St. Faith.

The crew flew their first mission on March 5, 1944 to Bordeaux, France and followed that up on March 6th & 8th with two trips to Berlin although one of these had to be aborted.  Over the next month the crew flew eight missions to Germany and four to France.  All but their first two missions were flown in "Belle Of Boston". 

On April 22, 1944 the crew took off, along with 27 other 458th B-24s, late in the afternoon to hit the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany.  After releasing their bombs on the primary target, their formation headed for home.  As the group approached the English coast,  ME-410 night fighters, using cover of darkness attacked the Liberator formations.  Stilson's crew was shot down near Horsham St. Faith and T/Sgt William R. Pearce, engineer and S/Sgt Arthur Silverman, gunner were both killed.  2Lt Melvin C. Marshall, navigator, died the next day from wounds received in the crash.  (See detailed account of this action below & 458th BG Report to Gen Spaatz.)

After this harrowing experience, it appears that two members of the crew were removed from flying status.  Sgt William L. Johnson, tail gunner, was reclassified as an "Airplane Armorer".  S/Sgt James H. Blake, the crew's radio operator was reduced to Private, but no indication is given as to the reason for this.  Both men were briefly assigned to the 60th Station Complement on base until released in July 1944.

S/Sgt Herbert F. McBride was not on the April 22nd mission, his place being taken as ball turret gunner by S/Sgt Kenneth Katten from Crew 55.  Katten was wounded and received the Purple Heart in May.  Also wounded when he bailed out at low altitude was co-pilot 2Lt Joseph E. Worton.  McBride completed his tour, but it is not known if Worton or Katten flew additional missions after April 22nd.

2Lt Raymond E. Sawyer completed his tour of missions in June or July and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

1Lt Charles W. Stilson flew additional missions through June and completed his tour.  On May 14, 1944 he was awarded the Silver Star for his actions on the night of April 22nd.