42-29555 Centaur

Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner, cleans the twin .50 calibre machine-guns in the tail turret of his 422nd Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (JJ-Y, serial number 42-29555). Passed for publication 21 Apr 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'JJ-Y, 305BG.' Printed caption on reverse: 'No. 11. Photo Shows: S/Sergt. James L. Stafford from Cisco, Texas, the tail gunner cleans his guns. He is credited with three Nazis.' Censor no: 259779. On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Pr media-458165.jpg FRE 10462 Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner, cleans the twin .50 calibre machine-guns in the tail turret of his 422nd Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (JJ-Y, serial number 42-29555). Passed for publication 21 Apr 1943.

Handwritten caption on reverse: 'JJ-Y, 305BG.'

Printed caption on reverse: 'No. 11. Photo Shows: S/Sergt. James L. Stafford from Cisco, Texas, the tail gunner cleans his guns. He is credited with three Nazis.' Censor no: 259779. On reverse: Planet News Ltd., US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Added connection to airman's record.

Object Number - FRE 10462 - Staff Sergeant James L. Stafford, tail gunner, cleans the twin .50 calibre machine-guns in the tail turret of his 422nd Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb...

Delivered Denver 3/1/43; Salina 9/1/43; Tinker 26/2/43; Assigned 422BS/305BG [JJ-Y/D] Chelveston 6/4/43; Missing in Action Hannover 28/9/43 with Capt Harvey Rodgers, Radio Operator: Frank Lang, Waist gunner: Joe Lickose, Waist gunner: Marvin Sirus (4 Prisoner of War), Co-pilot: Lou Bower, Navigator: George McClintic, Bombardier: Curtis Reese, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ed Yozgadlian, Ball turret gunner: Joe Mahoney, Tail gunner: Malvern Heatherington (never found) (6 Killed in Action); shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Landringhausen, S of Wunsdortf, 11 miles SW of Hannover, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 730. (First B-17 lost on night mission). CENTAUR.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31125603
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Reutrn (FTR)

Hanover, Germany 28 September 1943

Crashed

Landringhausen, 30890 Barsinghausen, Germany 28 September 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 906 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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