Operation Varsity: 316th Troop Carrier Group; c-47 Dakota shot down

Hi Guys,

I am trying to find an US air crew from one of the squadrons of the 316th Troop Carrier Group who delivered my grandfather and a stick of paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division on the 24th March 1945 for Operation Vasrsity; when crossing the Rhine.

He was the last one in the parachute stick except for a war correspondent behind him, the Dakota was hit by Anti-Aircraft fire and was set on fire forcing the paratroopers to jump out of the aircraft.

Sadly none of the crew survived. He jumped with the 5th Parachute Brigade HQ or 13th Parachute Battalion.
Would anyone know who the men in this crew were?

Any information would be a great help.

All the best

Brithm

 

Hunt up a copy of "Valor Without Arms: A History of the 316th Troop Carrier Group 1942-1945"" by Michael N. Ingrisano Jr.
http://www.amazon.com/Valor-Without-Arms-History-1942-1945/dp/1470085151

Google books: http://books.google.com/books?id=nkhCAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=%22316th+Troop+Carrier+Group%22,+kia,+operation+varsity&source=bl&ots=ZxF1knw3lq&sig=trnbWAPIuDcCImPvFSiBu9MRmOc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mUPNUqSYBbTHsATIp4HADQ&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=24%20march&f=false
Start at the bottom of page 263.

The "Roll of Honor"(killed, missing, severely wounded) begins on page 318.

Since it is a Google Books copy some relevant pages have been left out.

 

Your grandfather's name would also help.

 

You can also find a 19-page Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) on the website Fold3.com. Just sign up for their trial membership and search "316th Troop Carrier". It should be under Aircraft Serial Number 42-23931. You'll be able to download all 19 pages if you want.