42-97171 4th Term

Delivered Cheyenne 3/2/44; Kearney 24/2/44; Grenier 8/3/44; Assigned 563BS/388BG [L] Knettishall 12/3/44; Missing in Action Paris 2/8/44 with Don Balboni (Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ernie Fufaro (evaded capture); Co-pilot: Willard Spangler, Navigator: Arthur Read, Bombardier: Earl Simanek, Radio Operator: Ed Monroe, Ball turret gunner: Lou Legrand, Waist gunner: Walt Knudson, Tail gunner: Laverne Kaasa (7 Prisoner of War); flak, bellied in Pierrelaye, SE of Pontoise, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 7745. 4TH TERM.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Donald L Balboni

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Ernest W Furfaro

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Laverne D Kaasa

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Walter H Knudson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Private
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Louis E Legrand

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Private First Class
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

510

  • Date: 2 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 2 August 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Information sent by Dick Read relating to Arthur M. Read and the 388th Bomb Group. (From 'The 388th At War' by Ed Huntzinger).

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7745 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database