42-107597 Old Sarge

Assigned to 574BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. 62 x missions. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. A/C hit by fighters, tail turret and gunner torn off in collision with enemy fighter, both wings set ablaze, exploded, crashed two miles SW Bonn, Germany. 5 x POW, 1 x KIA 23-Dec-44. MACR 11669.



Crew: 1Lt. Ralph H Lesmeister (MN) [POW]; 2Lts Albert O Stark (MN) [POW]; Carl B Pollock (IL) [POW]; S/Sgts Frank D Stanton (CA) [POW]; Clare H Oliphant Jr (WA) [POW]; John H Stephenson (TX) [KIA].

Connections

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Units served with

An airman of the 391st Bomb Group wearing a service dress jacket and kilt. Written on slide casing: '391 BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 574th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17114332 / O-705772
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bomber pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 391st Bomb Group 574th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18241927
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Armourer / Tail gunner

Places

Aerial photograph of Matching airfield looking south, the technical site is on the left, 19 July 1948. Photograph taken by No. 58 Squadron, sortie number RAF/58/62.English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Matching Green

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.
  • Date: 23 December 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

SW Bonn, Germany 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. A/C hit by fighters, tail turret and gunner torn off in collision with enemy fighter, both wings set ablaze, exploded, crashed two miles SW Bonn, Germany. 5 x POW, 1 x KIA 23-Dec-44. MACR 11669.

Manufactured

Offutt AFB, NE, USA Built at Martin.

Delivered

Nebraska, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Matching, Harlow CM17, UK Assigned to 574BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11669 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database