42-97465 The Scarlet Harlot

media-26243.jpeg UPL 26243 Crew photo for B-17 No. 42-97465. This photo contains most of the crew members of 42-97465, but appears to be missing the pilot of that ship, Robert K. Walker. The identities of some of the others in the photo have not been confirmed. The original photo was found among the belongings of J.B. Latham.

Back row (from left to right): Lionel Havlas, Kneeland Parshley, Leland Mills, David Gerber, Frank Croft, (possibly Bruce Kustaborder).
Front row: (Undetermined), J.B. Latham, Marlin Greenawalt, (possibly Frank Jackson)

J.B. Latham photo

Object Number - UPL 26243 - Crew photo for B-17 No. 42-97465. This photo contains most of the crew members of 42-97465, but appears to be missing the pilot of that ship, Robert...

Delivered Denver 23/11/43; Wendover 12/12/43; Assigned 751BS/457BG [B] Glatton 9/2/44; Missing in Action Marienburg April 9, 1944 with Robert Walker, Waist gunner: Kneeland Parshley, Tail gunner: Bruce Kustaborder (3 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: JB Latham, Navigator: Frank Jackson, Bombardier: Marlin Greenawalt, Radio Operator: David Gerber, Ball turret gunner: Frank Croft, Waist gunner: Leland Mills[wia] (6 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lionel Havlas (evaded capture); enemy aircraft, crashed Ossecken, 30 miles W of Gdynia, Poland; Missing Air Crew Report 3665.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12209008
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32696077
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-688346
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37240790
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-692316
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Denver, CO, USA 23 November 1943

Delivered

Wendover, UT 84083, USA 12 December 1943

Assigned

9 February 1944 Assigned 751st Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group [B] Glatton

Other

Base

Glatton, Huntingdon PE28, UK 8 April 1944 42-97465 departed from Station 130 (Glatton) on April 9, 1944.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Gdynia, Poland 9 April 1944 Crashed near Ossecken, about 30 miles west of Gdynia, Poland.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

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ContributorGrants Pass
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David Gerber's claim that the plane was named the "Scarlet Harlot" has been confirmed by the family of another crew member.

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MACR 3665

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
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Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3665 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3665 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3665 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
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MACR 3665

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Latham family.

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ContributorGrants Pass
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Latham records.

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ContributorGrants Pass
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Latham records.

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Newspaper articles.

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
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Family records, newspaper articles.

Date
ContributorGrants Pass
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Family of JB Latham.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3665 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97465: Gallery (13 items)