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
- 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: 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
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: PIAAF / Presque Is
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
- Date: 30 December 1942
- Official Description:
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
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.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15079 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database