Fred Zurbuchen flew 28 combat missions as waist gunner with the Capt. Earl Reynolds crew, whilst at Debach with the 493rd BG. Assigned to the Group as a Corporal on March 14th 1945, serving with the 861st Bombardment Squadron. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant prior to flying his first mission on the 30th March when the Earl Reynolds crew flew to Hamburg, Germany. Their 6th and final mission, flown to Aussig, Czechoslovakia took place on the 19th April 1945. Fred was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on the 30th April 1945. 
Capt. Earl Reynolds and his crew then participated in 2 x "Operation Chowhound" food drop missions to Holland in the first week of May 1945.