The Co-pilot was the 100th's well known Richard P. Keirn. The revered 100th veteran was a prisoner of the Germans until May 1945 and was POW in Viet Nam for seven (7) years. See Keirn Record for more data.

Letter from Lt. Jerome H. Hutcherson, NAV, dated August 5th, 1945:
"… From the moment of the first fighter attack, the pilot, Lt Howard R. Schulte, was unconscious from lack of oxygen… After continuing flying, the co-pilot, who was in command of the ship decided further attempts to put out the fires and return to base was impossible and he gave the order to bail out. At this time the pilot returned to consciousness, stating he was all right and not wounded to the co-pilots inquiry. He, Schulte, immediately confirmed the co-pilots decision to abandon ship. I bailed out later, with the co-pilot. The Bombardier, Lt Kenneth R. Summers later told me he saw the pilot, Lt Schulte, and believed him to be the last person aboard the aircraft. When last seen was flying the at 7500 feet and descending fast. One wing was a mass of flames due to flak damage. He stated, BOM, that he saw no more chutes from the plane. Lt Summers believes Lt Schulte did not bail out or if he did his chute did not open. Further he feels that Schulte may have decided to crash land the aircraft."