42-3092 Strato Sam (Toughest Crew That Ever Flew)

Delivered Cheyenne 18/2/43; Dow Fd 23/5/43; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-T] Ridgewell 4/43 with Capt Bob Post, Bob Nelson, Fred Nudell engineer, Harry Baylerian radio, Capt Joe Murray S-2, M/Sgt Andy Banas line chief, S/Sgt Joe Johnson elec/spec, Cpl Adrian Johnson AFCE spec, S/Sgt Olin David bomb sight maint, Lt Jim Morrison ARC nav; Missing in Action 7m Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Jim Hudson, Co-pilot: Bill Grant, Navigator: Ron Delaney, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ed Vaughn, Radio Operator: Dave Pinsky, Ball turret gunner: John Vaughn, Waist gunner: Ford Thueson, Ball turret gunner: Jim Wakefield, Tail gunner: George Doyle (9 Prisoner of War), Bombardier: Ken Robinson (KIA, chute lines tangled in aircraft and unable to jump); shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Pesch, four miles SW of Munsterreifel, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 399. STRATO SAM (TOUGHEST CREW THAT EVER FLEW).

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-797280
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31160884
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-672799
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-000326
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32408984
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ol Swayback, Moor Fidite
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Angel
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Gloria Ann, Iris, Uncle Sammy
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Great In Lani / Sweet Is (Le) Lani
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 534th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: King Malfunction II
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 532nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne, WY 18 February 1942

Other

Shot Down

Pesch, Germany 17 August 1943 Jim Hudson Crew

Assigned

Ridgewell Airfield, UK 381BG 533BS

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

B-17 Flying Fortress Story - Roger Freeman
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b17_11.html

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

B-17 Flying Fortress Story - Roger Freeman
http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_bombers/b17_11.html

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 399 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database