Emilio Anthony Pontillo from Pennsylvania was Engineer/Gunner, with the 845th Squadron of the 489th Bomb Group.
Mel flew with two different pilots during his time in Halesworth on crew 2918:
Pilot:
For Missions 01 to 09 – Bud Chamberlain, Lt. (see Bud’s own story in ‘veteran’s stories’ under ‘Clarence N Chamberlain (Bud)’ on the 489th Museum website)
For Missions 10 to 35 – Claude Allen, Cpt.
Co-Pilot – Kenneth Burnett, Lt.
Navigator – John Becker, Lt.
Bombardier – Dan Carter, Lt.
Engineer – Mel Pontillo, T/Sgt.
Radio Operator – Thomas Ambrose, T/Sgt.
Tail Gunner – Ken Gullekson, S/Sgt.
Upper Gunner – Arthur Langsdorf, S/Sgt.
Waist Gunner – Chester Kidd, S/Sgt.
Lower Gunner – Mariano Trevino
489th Crew 2918
Mel Pontillo died on 7 April 2009 at the age of 87.