42-97091 Dear Mom

Delivered Cheyenne 26/1/44; Alexandra 12/2/44; Presque Is 4/3/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG [F] Knettishall 6/3/44; Missing in Action Kiel 22/5/44 with Gailard Mergenthaler, Co-pilot: Bernie Cohen, Navigator: Paul Pearson, Bombardier: Bill Hamilton, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ray Knepper, Radio Operator: Don Sprague, Ball turret gunner: George Anshutz, Waist gunner: Bill Ficklen, Waist gunner: John Shartz (9 Prisoner of War); Tail gunner: Bob Hildebrand (Killed in Action); flak KOd #3 & #4, crashed Nettelsee, 11 miles NE of Holstein, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4956. DEAR MOM.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19176865
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Kiel, Germany 22 May 1944

Crashed

24250 Nettelsee, Germany 22 May 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Added events from info in biography

Date
ContributorKauko56
Changes
Sources

Data set already entered.

Date
ContributorKauko56
Changes
Sources

MACR

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4956 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database