Standing L-R: Sgt. Elton E. Cheshier (CG); Sgt. Robert N. Suitts (NG); 
Sgt. Edmund A. Venella Jr. (TG); Sgt. Paul E. McDaniel (APMG); 
Sgt. Gus T. Mitchell (CG)

Kneeling L-R: 2nd Lt Edwin 'Wren" Bowyer (P); FO Clarence E. Stauffer (CP) 2nd Lt Arne P. Hansen (N); 2nd Lt Thomas L. Elder Jr. (B)

Not shown: S/Sgt. Charles W. Weatherly (ROMG)

SERGEANT EDMUND A. VENELLA was born in Camden County NJ on December 6, 1924. The Venellas and their extended family lived in Gloucester City and Camden during the 1920s and 1930s. After being inducted into the Army he qualified for flight duty, and trained in aerial gunnery as part of a B-24 Liberator bomber crew. He and his crew, pictured above, joined the 767th Bomber Squadron, 461st Bomb Group in Cerignola, Italy on April 11, 1944.

On the group's 44th mission, a raid on the Giurgiu Oil Storage facility in Romania, Sgt. Venella was injured. When over the target, there was not a great deal of anti-aircraft fire from the ground, but the Group tangled with eighteen enemy fighters. The results of this encounter were six enemy planes destroyed, four probably destroyed, and one damaged. A great deal of damage was inflicted upon the target, as evidenced by the Mission bombing photo. Two bombers were lost to the combination of flak and fighters, and one man, Sergeant Venella, was injured.  The crews lost were those of 1st Lt. Hefling and 1st Lt. Heald. Sergeant Venella was subsequently transferred to the 26th General Hospital, where his arm was amputated.  

After the war Edmund Venella returned to New Jersey. Last a resident of Trenton NJ, he passed away May 26, 1989.

Sgt. Edmund A. Venella Jr. in Army hospital after the April 11, 1944 raid.