42-102975 Verna e
Delivered Cheyenne 25/4/44; Kearney 3/5/44; Grenier 21/5/44; Assigned 369BS/306BG [WW-F] Thurleigh 6/6/44; Missing in Action Dresden 14/2/45 with Jack Henley, Co-pilot: Roy Stewart, Navigator: Warren Becker, Bombardier: Herb Whitaker, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Vic Coppa, Radio Operator: Dan McCarthy, Ball turret gunner: Ray Hanson, Waist gunner: Albt Harcarik, Tail gunner: Fred Piepenbrink (9 Prisoner of War); flak KO’d two engines, crashed Nachtsheim, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 12324. VERNA E.
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
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-755655
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot, Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13155274 / O-771917
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 369th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
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 | 14 February 1945 |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 12325 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database