42-2975

B-17F 42-2975 was assigned 423BS/306BG Presque Is 17-Nov-42; Molesworth 25-Nov-42. This was the first B-17 built by Douglas Aircraft Company under license with Boeing to go MIA with the 8th AF. Shot down 30-Dec-42 by enemy aircraft upon return from a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. The aircraft made a late takeoff and was unable to join with the 306BG formation, so it tagged along with the 305BG. 1POW 9KIA MACR 15079.



P Capt John B. Brad (KIA); CP 2Lt Bernard T. Healey (KIA)

N 2Lt Warren M. Lewis (KIA); B 2Lt Gardner M. Reynolds (POW)

E/TTG James L Carberry (KIA); RO Sgt William L. Nisbett (KIA)

BTG Sgt Eugene H. Stein (KIA) LWG Sgt John J. Vallorani (KIA)

RWG Sgt Edward J Sanski (KIA) TG James P. Gaffney (KIA)

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-438497
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33111513
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39167239
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-661484
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-660501
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

Ushant, France 30 December 1942 Attacked by German fighters on return and crashed into the sea off the Ile d'Quessant, France.

Revisions

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-DEc-2014. Formatted Marking display.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Dec-2014. Edited Marking details.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 7-Dec-2014. Added Douglas, target info, details to description per "Losses of the 8th & 9th AIr Forces" Stan Bishop & john A. Hey MBE; Added markings per "The Mighty Eighth Warpaint & Heraldry" Roger A. Freeman; added Place and Mission connections per MACR 15079; added rank, proper full name and dispositions per MACR 15079; formatted crew display.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15079 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database