The Herzik Crew was the first aircraft of the 458th lost on a combat mission.  The March 3, 1944 mission to Berlin was recalled due to extremely poor weather conditions.  Flying B-24H 41-29298 Skinose, this crew simply did not return.  Harold McDonald, navigator on Crew 63 (Brudos) related the following: "We were over the middle of the English Channel heading towards the enemy coast when Herzik, maintaining radio silence, signaled that he had trouble and was returning to base.  We waved to them as they left formation and continued on.  When we returned to base we were shocked that Herzik was not back yet.  They must have gone down in the Channel." 

The entire crew was declared deceased (DED) in 1946.  Their names are on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridge, England.

                                                          Photos - Jack Herzik

Later transferred to the 392nd BG, flew 27 combat missions and was lost on 7 Jul 1944

Courtesy: Greg Birnie

Photo: George Reynolds

"I remember Frank Herzik very well.  He was a 'class' guy.  Well educated, well spoken, interesting to talk to for a 19 year old (a few weeks before my 20th birthday).  That day [March 3rd] was the coldest we ever saw.  It was the nastiest weather.  The North Sea looked like a cauldron from 20,000 feet above it.  They had a breakdown of some sort and went into the sea.  They didn't have a chance of surviving.  We also aborted, but I realized much later that it was Mattson looking for a way to avoid going on.  My log is confusing because I was confused at the time."

- 2Lt John Woodworth, navigator Crew 75