42-110169 Lucky Penny
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UPL 13551
42-110169 Lucky Penny, 491st Group, 853rd Squadron
Standing (L-R)
1st Lt. Fletcher E. Sharp - Pilot
2nd Lt. Sammy Rowan - Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. William L. Reese - Navigator
2nd Lt. Edwin W. Foster - Bombardier
Kneeling (L-R)
Sgt. Warren H. Rudolph - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Grover L. Buchanan - Engineer
Sgt. Carl W. Frack - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Rudolph C. Schopa - Radio Operator
Sgt. Clyde V. Jones - Ball Gunner
On 8 June 1944, the entire crew, except for Navigator 2nd Lt. William L. Reese who had been "borrowed" to fly on the 853rd Squadron lead plane, were all killed returning to their airbase at Metfield, England. They had aborted their mission with a feathered No. 1 engine and after returning to the airbase, circled the field three times with a full load of fuel and bombs, lost control as they attempted to land and crashed on the field. SSgt. Lester J. Datthyn (Tail Gunner) was not in the crew photo, but was also killed in the crash. William L. Reese was killed 26 Nov 1944 on the raid over Misberg.
Standing (L-R)
1st Lt. Fletcher E. Sharp - Pilot
2nd Lt. Sammy Rowan - Co-Pilot
2nd Lt. William L. Reese - Navigator
2nd Lt. Edwin W. Foster - Bombardier
Kneeling (L-R)
Sgt. Warren H. Rudolph - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Grover L. Buchanan - Engineer
Sgt. Carl W. Frack - Waist Gunner
Sgt. Rudolph C. Schopa - Radio Operator
Sgt. Clyde V. Jones - Ball Gunner
On 8 June 1944, the entire crew, except for Navigator 2nd Lt. William L. Reese who had been "borrowed" to fly on the 853rd Squadron lead plane, were all killed returning to their airbase at Metfield, England. They had aborted their mission with a feathered No. 1 engine and after returning to the airbase, circled the field three times with a full load of fuel and bombs, lost control as they attempted to land and crashed on the field. SSgt. Lester J. Datthyn (Tail Gunner) was not in the crew photo, but was also killed in the crash. William L. Reese was killed 26 Nov 1944 on the raid over Misberg.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33621138
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 491st Bomb Group 853rd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
England | 8 June 1944 |
Revisions
ContributorTimothy McKeown
Changes
Sources
Ringmasters: The 491st Bombardment Group (H). Dallas: Taylor Publishing Co. (1992).
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
MACR 15233 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database