42-30191

media-40125.jpeg UPL 40125 "Crew of the 379th Bomb Group pose beside the Boeing B-17 'The Bolevich' at an 8th Air Force base in England."

Rear L-R: 1Lt Donald W. Merchant, 1Lt James E. Sullivan, Lt Ernest K. Keith, Lt Leonard J. Roman, S/Sgt Robert T Tonge. [Not forgetting Angus the Mascot].

Front L-R: S/Sgt Edgar Van Valkenburg, T/Sgt Gene R. Hecht, T/Sgt Johannes H. Johnson, T/Sgt Harold B. Ridgley, S/Sgt John L. Wierzbanowski.

https://www.fold3.com/image/32192511

Object Number - UPL 40125 - "Crew of the 379th Bomb Group pose beside the Boeing B-17 'The Bolevich' at an 8th Air Force base in England." Rear L-R: 1Lt Donald W. Merchant,...

Delivered Cheyenne 24/4/43; Smoky Hill 14/5/43; Tinker 24/5/43; Smoky Hill 29/5/43; Dow Fd 1/6/43; Assigned 525BS/379BG [FR-C] Kimbolton 6/6/43; Missing in Action Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Don Merchant, Co-pilot: Jim Sullivan, Navigator: Ernie Keith, Bombardier: Leon Roman, Radio Operator: Johannes Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Bob Tongue, eg-Edgar Van Valkenburg, Waist gunner: Harry Ridgley,Tail gunner: John Wierzbanowski (9 Prisoner of War), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gene Hecht (Killed in Action); flak, crash landed wheels up on road between Elfershausen & Trimburg, 13 miles NW of Schweinfurt, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 1765. THE BOLEVICH.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.

379th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Kenneth F Gibbs

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13048825 / O-733304
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Gene R Hecht

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Johannes H Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

William E Johnston

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14071848 / O-667406
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Ernest K Keith

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 17 August 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1765 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-30191: Gallery (3 items)

Object number: UPL 36642 - Lt Donald William Merchant, Pilot of B17 Flying...

Object number: UPL 40124 - "Crew of the 379th Bomb Group pose beside the...

Object number: UPL 40125 - "Crew of the 379th Bomb Group pose beside the...