42-97501

Delivered Cheyenne 3/12/43; Kearney 17/12/43; Presque Is 4/1/44; Assigned 711BS/447BG Rattlesden 5/1/44; Missing in Action Berlin 29/4/44 with Elmer Johnson, Co-pilot: Bob Stevenson, Navigator: Adger Matthews, Bombardier: Les Walker, Radio Operator: Orville Springstead, Ball turret gunner: John Frisbie, Waist gunner: John Hoegen, Waist gunner: Doug Irvine,Tail gunner: Tom Sproat (9 Killed in Action); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Joe Kotulak (Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft hit cockpit and KOd #3, aircraft exploded before crew could bale out, crashed Siestedt, six miles NE of Helmstedt, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4253.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38367805
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31083077
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39616202
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36159477 / O-811210
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 711th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13005271
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 29 April 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 29 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4253 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database