42-97454

Delivered Denver 19/11/43; Gr Island 1/12/43; Presque Is 10/12/43; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-U] Ridgewell 13/1/44; on mission to Augsburg 16/3/44 with Rudi Duncan, Waist gunner: Bill Yanzek bailed out when fire broke out in cockpit- Prisoner of War); Missing in Action 29m Berlin 19/5/44 with Earl Sharp, Co-pilot: Dorance Garner, Bombardier: Francis Britenbaker, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jarrett Schoepf, Radio Operator: Bill Suchy, Ball turret gunner: Merrill Pennybacker, Waist gunner: Gerald Rutigliano, Tail gunner: Follis Bratton (8 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Wayne Hardwick (KIA - chute failed); flak, crashed Adlig-Reetz, NE of Berlin, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4932.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

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

People

John R Arndt

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Follis D Bratton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38327480
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Francis W Britenbaker

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-684134
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Rudolph G Duncan

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Karl Franek

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 16 March 1944

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 19 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4878 / MACR 4932 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database