43-38129 Bedroom Eyes
Back Row (left to right):
2nd Lt. Stephen V. Kozak, Navigator
1st Lt. Saul G. Marias, Pilot
2nd Lt. Henry A. Skubik, Copilot
2nd Lt. Don C. Bonner, Bombardier
Front Row (left to right):
Sgt. James A. Johnson, Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. George D. Jones, Engineer
Sgt. W.H. Folmer, Waist G
S/Sgt. Richard J. Cook, Radio
Sgt. Phillip D. Collins, Ball Turret
Photograph taken by 601st Squadron base photographer after 398th mission no 80, Lutkendorf, Germany
Aircraft flown that day 43-38129 3O-A Nuthampstead Airfield Museum collection
Associated to airman and unit record from info in caption.
Object Number - UPL 16579 - Marias' Crew - 601st Squadron - 13 September 1944 Back Row (left to right): 2nd Lt. Stephen V. Kozak, Navigator 1st Lt. Saul G. Marias,...
Delivered Cheyenne 29/6/44; Hunter 13/7/44; Grenier 24/7/44; Assigned 601BS/398BG [3O-A] Nuthampstead 10/8/44; first 398BG rep; Missing in Action Magdeburg 28/9/44 with Saul Marias, Co-pilot: Henry Skubik, Navigator: Stephen Kosak, Bombardier: Don Bonner, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George Jones, Radio Operator: Rich Cook, Ball turret gunner: Jim Johnson, Waist gunner: Walt Wickman,Tail gunner: Bill Folmer (9 Returned to Duty); force landed Brussels, Bel. Salvaged 5 SAD Merville, Fr. SKIPPY.
Connections
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 0706789
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed |
Brussels, Belgium | 28 September 1944 | Pilot Saul Marias was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for events surrounding the landing of B17 # 43-38129 (Bedroom Eyes) on 28 Sept. 1944. "Under the provisions of the Army Regulations 600-45, 22 September 1943, as amended and pursuant to authority contained in letter, HQ Eighth Air Force, File 200.6 23 September 1944, subject, “Awards and Decorations”, the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS is awarded to the following named Officers and Enlisted Men. SAUL G. MARIAS. 0-819844, First Lieutenant, Air Corps, United States Army. For extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on a bombing mission over Germany, 28 September 1944. On this date immediately after bombs away, the airplane which Lieutenant Marias was piloting sustained several direct flak hits. The Number Three engine was hit and had to be feathered. The gasoline tank of Number Four engine was struck and the fuel drained from it, causing it to be feathered. In addition the hydraulic system was disabled, rendering the brakes useless. Due to lack of power caused by the two feathered engines the aircraft rapidly lost altitude and Lieutenant Marias was forced to leave the formation. Exhibiting exemplary tenacity of purpose and consummate flying ability he successfully accomplished the flight to an emergency field in friendly territory and effected a forced landing without injury to the crew or damage to the aircraft. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Lieutenant Marias on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States. Entered military service from New York." As related by the last surviving crew member of "Bedroom Eyes", co-pilot Henry Skubik, the quick-thinking crew devised a survival plan which included supplementing the lost hydraulic lubricants with the contents of their bladders, and affixing parachutes to the floor of the craft so they could deploy upon landing and slow down the speed of the craft, which had lost its brakes. Accordingly, the craft and crew survived the crash landing. |
Revisions
http://www.398th.org/Awards/DFC/DFC_Citations/DFCs_441221.html; oral history as related by co-pilot Henry Skubik, to [email protected]
