43-37693
Delivered Cheyenne 12/5/44; Kearney 24/5/44; Dow Fd 1/6/44; Assigned 369BS/306BG [WW-L] Thurleigh 13/6/44; Missing in Action Delitzsch 16/8/44 with Eldon Ralstin, Radio Operator: Bob Behnke (2 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bill Goetz, Navigator: Dick Locke, Bombardier: Tom Meersman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Howard, Ball turret gunner: Sam Simonian, Waist gunner: Gerald Wrightsman, Tail gunner: Fred Lloyd (7 Prisoner of War); flak KO’d two engines, then exploded, crashed Obermalbitz, near Leipzig, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 7900.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32675478
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-818679
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14188172
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner/ Flight Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 38363659
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-707292
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 16 August 1944 |