42-29635 Augerhead
Back row, left to right:
T/Sgt James R. Welch (E/LWG),
S/Sgt Donald R. Wilson (WG),
S/Sgt Ralph Nakaniski (BTG),
S/Sgt Charles J. Fulanovich (E/TTG),
T/Sgt Robert J. McGuire (R),
S/Sgt Eldred L. Aubrey (TG)
Front row, left to right:
2Lt James R. McConnen (N),
2Lt Aubrey L. Emerson (CP),
1Lt Frank H. Thompson (P),
1Lt Arni Sumarlidason (CP)
ID of each airman: http://www.303rdbg.com/358thompson.html
Delivered Cheyenne 24/1/43; Salina 7/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-M] Molesworth 26/3/43. 18 missions. Missing in Action on the mission to bomb the airfield at Amiens-Glisy, France on 31 August 1943. Pilot: William J. Monahan; Co-pilot: Louis M. Benepe; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Walter Gasser; Ball turret gunner: Alfred R. Buinicky; Left Waist gunner: James H. Comer Jr; Right Waist gunner: Vernon E. Olson (6 Prisoner of War). Navigator: William P. Maher; Bombardier: Walter Hargrove; Radio Operator: Frank Kimotek; Photographer Verdis B. Pryor (4 evaded capture). Tail gunner: Dave Miller (KIA – bailed out but when found his legs had been blown off). Flak hits slowed ship down then enemy aircraft struck. Crashed ±15km Northeast of Dieppe, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 470. "AUGERHEAD".
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17063132 / O-735354
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11040361
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11095636
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35043171
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734678
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 31 August 1943
- Date: 30 July 1943
- Date: 25 June 1943
- Date: 23 June 1943
- Date: 22 June 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
31 August 1943 | Reported as Missing in Action on mission to Amiens-Glisy 31/8/43. Flak hits slowed ship down then enemy aircraft struck, crashed 12 miles E of Abbeville, France. See Missing Air Crew Report 470. |
Revisions
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Changed spelling of top turret gunner from 'Walter Quassor' to 'Walter Qassor'.
Changed spelling of top turret gunner from 'Walt Gasser' to 'Walter Quassor'.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 470 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database