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Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler".
Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Street, New York City. Aged 26, and married, Pearl, who was educated at the Abraham Lincoln High School, sends the message to his wife at 406 Chester Street, Brooklyn, New York, that he hopes to be home in time for their wedding anniversary on April 2nd. ANY 9. '
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Private George Kriegsman of the 303rd Bomb Group inspects the gun on his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Passed for publication 28 Jan 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'The "New Yorker" gets ready for action, and 21-year-old Private George Kriegsman, 150 West 87th Street, N.Y. City, makes sure one of the turret guns is in working order. In peace time he was a salesman with June Dairy, 105 Hudson St., N.Y., but he finds life in the Air Force great fun too, especially when, as on this occasion, he is helping to prepare a little surprise for the Hun. The message he sends to his parents, and to his fiance, Miss Claire Kiar, 653 East Beech St., Line Reach, Long Island, is: "I like it fine here, but would like to be back home." ANY 22.' On reverse: Current Affairs Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].
Assigned 359BS/303BG [BN-P] Bangor 9/10/42; Molesworth 25/10/42; force landed RAF Chipping Warden 23/1/43 with Ross Bates, 10RTD; Missing in Action 28m Gelsenkirchen 5/11/43 with Ambrose Grant, Co-pilot: Frank Ball, Navigator: Jim Berger, Bombardier: Marion Blackburn, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tony Kujawa, Radio Operator: Ed Sexton, Ball turret gunner: Chester Petrosky, Waist gunner: Harry Kraft,Tail gunner: Francis Anderson (9 Prisoner of War), Waist gunner: Joe Bauer (Killed in Action); flak hit crashed Wouw, four miles W of Roosendal,Holl. Missing Air Crew Report 1157.THE RAMBLIN' WRECK aka IDAHO POTATO PEELER.
Service
Units
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Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New...
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People
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
Shot down 5 November 1943 in B-17 41-24565 'The Rambling Wreck. ' Prisoner of War (POW).
Earlier 10/14/43 on return from Schweinfurt mission, with B17 42-5482 'Cat O'Nine Tails' running out of fuel landed at Bedfordshire. Crew returned.
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Military | Lieutenant | Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
28-Feb-42 Assigned as Navigator of B-17F 41-24565 [BN-P] "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids"
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Military | Colonel | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
Assigned to 359BS, 303BG, 8AF USAAF. 30 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DSC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME, UN and Korean medals.
Post war: Remained in USAF, serving in Korean conflict.
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Military | First Lieutenant | Bombardier | 303rd Bomb Group
Assigned to B-17F 41-24581"The '8' Ball", 303BG/359BS on 1-Jul-1942. Arrived aboard that aircraft at Molesworth, UK on 21-Oct-42. He only participated in 3 Operations with the 359BS (See Biography events). His final disposition has not been determined....
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Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
Shot down 14 May 1943 in B-17F 42-5243 "FDR's Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS. Battle damaged aircraft crashed into North Sea. Killed in Action (KIA).MACR 15593
Mission participation (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events.
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Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
1-Jul-42 Assigned as a Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24581 [BN-O],"The '8' Ball", 303BG/359BS at Alamogordo Field, Alamogordo, New Mexico and arrived aboard that aircraft at Molesworth, UK on 21-Oct-42.
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
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Places
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Military site : airfield
Molesworth was one of the early stations used by the Eighth Air Force in the UK, first occupied by the 15th Bomb Squadron’s Douglas Bostons in June 1942. Built in 1940 and extended and improved in 1942, Molesworth is most associated with the 303rd...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany |
5 November 1943 |