| Name |
Pos |
Status |
Date |
Notes |
| 1Lt Robert W. Morford |
P |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Awarded DFC |
| 1Lt Robert W. Vincent |
CP |
CT |
Jan 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| 1Lt George E. Strand |
N |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Awarded DFC |
| 1Lt John R. Butler |
B |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| T/Sgt Joseph J. Kania |
E |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| T/Sgt Charles Aillet |
RO |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| S/Sgt Edward E. Betts |
G |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| S/Sgt Charlie M. Fowler |
G |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
| S/Sgt Vincent C. Morreale |
G |
WIA/CT |
Feb 1945 |
Wounded / Completed Tour |
| S/Sgt Frederick W. Wright |
G |
CT |
Feb 1945 |
Completed Tour |
The Morford crew was one of ten crews specially trained in the AZON project. They came to the 753rd Squadron as a group in May 1944 and participated in several AZON missions in June, September 1944.
Morford's crew flew B-24J 44-40291 "Royal Flush" from the States. This AZON equipped aircraft lasted less than a week after arriving (see report below).
The four gunners who trained with the crew in the States, Sgt's Polan, Balakier, Seay, and Parks did not join the crew in England. Assigned as gunners to this crew after arrival at Horsham St. Faith were Sgt's, Edward E. Betts, Charlie M. Fowler, Vincent C. Morreale, and Frederick W. Wright. Sgt. Morreale was wounded in action on October 14th and received the Purple Heart.
The crew's first mission was an AZON mission on June 14, 1944. They flew several missions from July - October when Morford and most of the crew was transferred to the 755th Squadron on October 23rd to become a lead crew. 1Lt Robert W.Vincent was the only crew member who remained with the 753rd, and, having become qualified to be a first pilot, flew the remainder of his missions in that squadron. It is not known which crew or crews on which he was the pilot.
Accompanying Morford to the 755th was the navigator from John Tracy's crew (AZON 10), 2Lt Benny N. Costello and a newly arrived 2Lt James E. Slauson. Costello was to be either Pilotage or DR navigator on the new lead crew, but Slauson's specialty is not known.
Most of the crew completed their tour of missions in February 1945, but records show Morford as only having 26 missions to his credit. It is assumed that he flew a complete tour, but the dates of a number of his missions are not known.
Both Morford and Vincent were promoted to Captain while in the 458th.
