42-107020 Flak Happy

Delivered Cheyenne 27/1/44; Kearney 14/2/44; Grenier 7/3/44; Assigned 398BG Nuthampstead 11/3/44; transferred 708BS/447BG Rattlesden 12/3/44; Missing in Action Brux 12/5/44 with Edwin Wright, Co-pilot: Capt George Hughes, Navigator: Wray Hylton, Bombardier: Nick Dekoning, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Roy Williams, Radio Operator: Rudi Palumbo, Waist gunner: Bernie McDonald, Waist gunner: Clarry Brown, Tail gunner: Bill McQuoid (9 Killed in Action); Ball turret gunner: Bob Johnston (Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft badly damaged ship, two engines KOd, crashed Reinachmuhle near Ailingen, three miles N of Friedrichshafen, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4773.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 447th Bomb Group.

447th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Clarence Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Nicholas F Dekoning

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-679333
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Joseph D Gentner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

George G Hughes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-405461
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Wray H Hylton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-674200
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 12 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorElaineBalsley
Changes
Sources

Remembering what my mother (his sister), Elizabeth McQuoid Brethauer, told me many years ago. Cannot really verify, but that has stuck in my mind for decades.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4773 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database