43-37890 Fearless Fosdick

William V Laws of the 91st Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-G, serial number 43-37890) nicknamed "Fearless Fosdick" Image by Dale J Darling, 91st Bomb Group. Written on slide casinhg: 'DF-G, 337890 Fearless Fosdick, MIA 21/11/44. Lt WV Laws, pilot.' media-388054.jpg FRE 5632 William V Laws of the 91st Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-G, serial number 43-37890) nicknamed "Fearless Fosdick" Image by Dale J Darling, 91st Bomb Group. Written on slide casinhg: 'DF-G, 337890 Fearless Fosdick, MIA 21/11/44. Lt WV Laws, pilot.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5632 - William V Laws of the 91st Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-G, serial number 43-37890) nicknamed "Fearless Fosdick" Image by Dale J...

Delivered Cheyenne 1/6/44; Hunter 10/6/44; Dow Fd 28/6/44; Assigned 324BS/91BG [DF- ] Bassingbourn 29/6/44; Missing in Action 43m Merseburg 21/11/44 with Chas Whitesell, Co-pilot: Bill New, Navigator: Andy Caswell, Bombardier: Jim Patton, Tail gunner: Bob Matthes blown out when ship exploded in mid-air (5 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Darrell Riley, Ball turret gunner: Don Hitzemann, Waist gunner: Earl Kerch, Radio Operator: John Courtney (4 Killed in Action); flak hit #3 engine, exploded and crashed Dobitschen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 10420. FEARLESS FOSDICK.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-717181
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17098961 / O-49508
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 21 November 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the nickname mentioned in the A/C “Description”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 10420 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-37890: Gallery (2 items)