42-30197 Mission Belle

Corporal John E. Burkey and Corporal Paul G. Huston of the 385th Bomb Group paint the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30168) nicknamed "Mission Belle". Passed for publication 10 Oct 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '230168.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Flying Fortresses In Combat Missions Over Europe. Picture Shows:- Cpl. John E. Burkey, Philadelphia, Pa., and Cpl. Paul G. Huston, Lingure, Pa.; doing a bit of painting on Fortress "Mission Belle" - the ship of 1/Lt. Wayne Horr, A media-413650.jpg FRE 4966 Corporal John E. Burkey and Corporal Paul G. Huston of the 385th Bomb Group paint the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30197) nicknamed "Mission Belle". Passed for publication 10 Oct 1943.

Handwritten caption on reverse: '230168.' Printed caption on reverse: 'Flying Fortresses In Combat Missions Over Europe. Picture Shows:- Cpl. John E. Burkey, Philadelphia, Pa., and Cpl. Paul G. Huston, Lingure, Pa.; doing a bit of painting on Fortress "Mission Belle" - the ship of 1/Lt. Wayne Horr, Auburn, N.Y. U.S. Pool/SG/H. Keystone 22.' Censor no: 287593. On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

Associated to 385th Bomb Group aircraft 'Mission Belle' and corrected serial number in caption from 42-30168 to 42-30197.

Object Number - FRE 4966 - Corporal John E. Burkey and Corporal Paul G. Huston of the 385th Bomb Group paint the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30197)...

Delivered Cheyenne 27/4/43; Gt Falls 6/5/43; Kearney 29/5/43; Dow Fd 13/6/43; Assigned 549BS/385BG [SG-M] Gt Ashfield 14/6/43; Missing in Action Rostock 11/4/44 with Duane Pangle, Co-pilot: Onner Davis, Navigator: Sam Kaiser, Bombardier: Bob Brisebois, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Herb Witherington, Radio Operator: Jim Gant, Ball turret gunner: Harry Jones, Waist gunner: Vince Corleto, Waist gunner: Arthur Brandt,Tail gunner: Tom Cavanagh (10INT); flak on bomb run, crash landed Kristianopel, Sweden. Missing Air Crew Report 3822. MISSION BELLE.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33391146
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16043482
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Bombardier; Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12062123
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32489796
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 11 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorRickDavis
Changes
Date
Contributorhermanns
Changes
Sources

38th BG website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3822 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-30197: Gallery (9 items)