COHEN Schiller Sgt 414 Bomb Sqn

SGT SCHILLER COHEN
414th Bomb Sqn
New York City
“ Yankee Doodle”

One of the most abundantly decorated flyers in the American forces. Holder of 13 decorations including the DFC, Air Medal and Oak Leaf Clusters. A 23 year old graduate of New York City College.
With 414th Bomb Sqn, he flew with the “Yankee Doodle” as well as “Big Punk”
Schiller served as a tail gunner, waist gunner and photographer. He also flew with the first fortresses to attack enemy territory in North Africa. He completed 52 bombing missions.

Photo shows the 414th Bomb Sqn crew at Polebrook in front of Yankee Doodle B-17E (41-9023) that took part in the historic first All American USAAF bombing mission over Sotteville Marshalling Yards in German occupied Rouen, France on 17th August 1942 escorted by RAF Spitfires.

BACK ROW Left to Right: 2nd Lt James W Dunn (Navigator), 2nd Lt Carl E Schultz (Bombardier) Captain Rudolph E Flack (414th Sqn Mission Commander/Flight Leader) (Pilot)
2nd Lt John R Dowswell (Co-pilot), 2nd Lt Will A Hadden (Did not fly on this mission; replaced by Brigadier General Ira C Eaker)

FRONT ROW Left to Right: Sgt Schiller Cohen (Did not fly on the Yankee Doodle but with Big Punk) Staff/Sgt Edwin N Breedlove (Radio Operator), Sgt Ernest B Clark (Ball Turret Gunner), Staff/Sgt Paul W Haygreen (Top Turret Gunner), Sgt Raymond C Lewis (Tail Gunner), Sgt Frank Hayes (Waist Gunner)