43-38697

Delivered Patterson 5/9/44; Hunter 19/9/44; Dow Fd 25/9/44; Assigned 603BS/398BG [N7-M] Nuthampstead 4/11/44; (23m). Missing in Action on the Berlin mission 3 February 1945 with Pilot Perry E. Powell, Co-pilot: Samuel T. Walker Jr, Navigator: Bruce E. Phelps, Bombardier: Marvin Y. Luckie Jr, Flight engineer/Top Turret gunner: Clarence H. Harper, Radio Operator: Robert H. Colgan, Ball Turret gunner: Albert J. Aleksyn, Waist gunner: Thomas A. L’Estrange Jr (8 Killed in Action). Tail gunner: Joseph D. Bancroft (Prisoner of War). Mid-air collision with B-17 42-97387; crashed 7,5km SE of Lehmke, near Gardelegen, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 12215.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15140333
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35499925
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39214265
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34782382
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 603rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36817784
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 3 February 1945

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Maude an Maria
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 602nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Patterson AAF, OH 5 September 1944 Delivered Patterson AAF 5-Sep-44.

Assigned

Nuthampstead, UK 4 November 1944 Assigned to 603BS, 398BG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

Lehmke, Germany 3 February 1945 - 3 February 1945 Failed to Return (FTR) Berlin; mid air collision above Lehmke, Germany with B-17 #42-97387

Manufactured

Long Beach, CA Built at Boeing.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 12215 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 12215

Date
ContributorDChapman
Changes
Sources

Updated crew to include original tail gunner Leroy K Bayless, per https://neutralboy001.wixsite.com/battle-history/perry-e-powell-and-bru…

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 12215 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database