Elbert J. “Joe” Ninesling, Jr. was born on 13 April 1924. He was married to Betty D Ninesling.

Elbert served in the 703rd Bomber Squadron, 445th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner on the B-24 #42-110029 during World War II. On 1 April 1944, at 0600H, his crew took off from airfield Station 124 in Tibenham, England, on a mission to bomb the chemical industry at Ludwigshafen, Germany. At around 1:30 PM, their plane was shot down by flak, and they managed to evacuate the airplane. All members survived. Of the ten members, five were taken as prisoners, and 5 evaded the enemy capture. Their plane crashed near Laon, France.

Stuebgen, Ninebling, and Lawrence were brought from Laon by Bob Pique. Stuebgen and Ninebling were placed with M Proment of Chauny until D-Day when they were moved to stay with M Cadiffet in Ugny-le-Gay. On 10 June, they were moved to stay with Mme Megret, where they remained until liberation. Lawrence stayed with M Blondel at Annois and then on D-Day, was moved to stay with Raymond Coutte. On 17 June, he was moved to stay with Mme Yve Halloit (widow) in Jussy until liberation. Keller was placed with M Chauvin in Coucy-le-Chateau from 20 April to D-Day when he joined Neil Howard and John Harms on M Gregoire's farm at Commencon. On 11 June, he was moved to stay with M Terny of Very-Noureuil where he remained until liberation.

Elbert, Jr. died at the age of 90 on 19 November 2014 in Poughquag, New York. He is now buried in the Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Suffolk County, New York, USA.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.findagrave.com, www.conscript-heroes.com