42-110169 Lucky Penny

media-13551.jpeg 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.

Object Number - 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....

Connections

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Units served with

A Pathfinder B-24 Liberator (V2-P+, serial number 42-51691) of the 491st Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '491 BG supplying troops at Arnhem, Sept 1944.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

England 8 June 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorTimothy McKeown
Changes
Sources

C. Timothy McKeown

Date
ContributorTimothy McKeown
Changes
Sources

C. Timothy McKeown

Date
ContributorTimothy McKeown
Changes
Sources

Ringmasters: The 491st Bombardment Group (H). Dallas: Taylor Publishing Co. (1992).

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 15233 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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