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41-24591

B-17 Flying Fortress

  • A bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed

    A bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Rigor Mortis". Image stamped on reverse: "Associated Press."[stamp], 'Passed for publication 12 Jun 1943.' [stamp] and '269268.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '"RIGOR MORTIS" CARRIES LIVE BOMBS AFTER RAID. Associated Press Photo shows: The full crew of the "Rigor Mortis" at their base after their return from Wilhelmhaven Friday, June 11. Front row, left to right: Sgt. William Mooney, Chicago; Sgt. Bernard M Knight, Pittsburgh, PA; Sgt. Frank Brinski, Pittsburgh, PS; Sgt. Peter Hnatuick, Hazelton, PA; Sgt. Anley Farmworth, Bakersfield, Calif; (second row): Capt Smith; 1/Lt. FL McIntyre, Reno, Nevada; 2/Lt. Howard Gardener; 2/Lt. Roger Moran, Hornell, NY and Sgt. JK Kunz.'

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 41-24591) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group takes off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'

    A B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 41-24591) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group takes off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24591) of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24591) of the 305th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'

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  • A flight of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 305th Bomb Group, in formation returning from Lille. Printed caption on reverse: 'Vapor trails made by Boeing B-17's returning from Lille, France. US Air Force Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'KY-A, 25085?. KY-B, 124591

    A flight of B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 305th Bomb Group, in formation returning from Lille. Printed caption on reverse: 'Vapor trails made by Boeing B-17's returning from Lille, France. US Air Force Photo.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'KY-A, 25085?. KY-B, 124591 "Rigor Mortis". KY-C, 25078. JJ-Q, 25060. JJ-R, 123614 "Snafu". XK-U "Wham Bam". XK-P "Flapper".

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  • A B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) of the 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '29/6/43.' On reverse: Keystone Publishing Ltd [Stamp].

    A B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) of the 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '29/6/43.' On reverse: Keystone Publishing Ltd [Stamp].

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  • A 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'KY-B.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids or return from their missions to be serviced by the ground crews, ready for the next raid. Keystone Photo Shows:- Flying Fortresses taking off for a mission. U.S.Pool/SS/F. Keystone. 1-13.' Censor no: 272237. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

    A 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'KY-B.' Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids or return from their missions to be serviced by the ground crews, ready for the next raid. Keystone Photo Shows:- Flying Fortresses taking off for a mission. U.S.Pool/SS/F. Keystone. 1-13.' Censor no: 272237. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

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  • A 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids or return from their missions to be serviced by the ground crews, ready for the next raid. Keystone Photo Shows:- Flying Fortresses taking off for a mission. U.S.Pool/SS/F. Keystone. 1-13.' Censor no: 272235. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

    A 366th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group B-17 Flying Fortress (KY-B, serial number 41-24591) taxiis to take off from Chelveston airbase. Passed for publication 30 Jun 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'At A Fortress Station In Britain. From an American base in Britain the Flying Fortresses carry out operational activities which result in terrible blows against the German industrial war machine. This series of pictures shows scenes at a Flying Fortresses station where hige[sic] bombers take off for the raids or return from their missions to be serviced by the ground crews, ready for the next raid. Keystone Photo Shows:- Flying Fortresses taking off for a mission. U.S.Pool/SS/F. Keystone. 1-13.' Censor no: 272235. On reverse: Keystone Press, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].

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  • "Boeing B-17s returning from Lille creating a vapour trail." -B-17F's 42-5060 422nd BS 305th BG, 41-24614 'SNAFU' 346th BS 305th BG, 41-24591 'Rigor Mortis' and 42-5052 'Old Testament' 366th BS, 305th BG among others.

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Assigned 366BS/305BG [KY-B] Presque Is 20/10/42; Grafton Underwood 29/10/42; Missing in Action Stuttgart 6/9/43 with Ray Halliday, Co-pilot: Russ Brooke, Navigator: Bob Curtis, Bombardier: Clarry Veach, Radio Operator: Joe McKegney, Waist gunner: Alf Jawerewski (6 Prisoner of War), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tom Shaver, Waist gunner: Tony Marandola, Tail gunner: Duane Lawhead (3 evaded capture), Ball turret gunner: Steve Dorko (Killed in Action); mech failure, crashed Buchy, 19 miles SE of Dieppe, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 1344 & 2155. RIGOR MORTIS.

Service

Units

  • 8th Air Force

    8th Air Force

    Command

  • 305th Bomb Group Can Do

    305th Bomb Group Can Do

    Group
    The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...

  • 366th Bomb Squadron

    366th Bomb Squadron

    Squadron

People

  • Russell Brooke

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • Robert Curtis

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Navigator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 29 May 1943 in B-17 #4229742. Plane ditched in Channel. Returned to base. Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • Stephen Dorko

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Killed in Action (KIA).

  • Raymond Holliday

    Military | Flight Officer | Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • Alfred Jawerewski

    Military | Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • Duane Lawhead

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Evaded.

  • Anthony Marandola

    Military | Staff Sergeant | Right Waist Gunner, Waist Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Evaded. DFC; Bronze Star

  • Joseph McKegney

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

  • Thomas Shaver

    Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Evaded.

  • Clarence Veach

    Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
    Shot down 29 May 1943 in B-17 #4229742. Plane ditched in Channel. Returned to base. Shot down 6 September 1943 in B-17#4224591 'Rigor Mortis. ' Prisoner of War (POW). POW

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Places

  • Chelveston

    Military site : airfield
    Chelveston was adapted and expanded in preparation for the arrival of American forces. Rather than heavy bombers, the first aircraft to fly from its runways were C-47 Skytrains that were flown by the 60th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. The first...

  • Grafton Underwood

    Military site : airfield
    Grafton Underwood was built in 1941 by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. It was the first airfield in England to receive an Eighth Air Force flying unit, when in May 1942 personnel of the 15th Bomb Squadron took up residence. As a satellite airfield for...

  • Presque Isle Army Airfield

    Military site : airfield

Events

Event Location Date
Manufactured Seattle, WA, USA 1942
Delivered Presque Isle, ME, USA 20 October 1942

Presque Isle 20-Oct-42.
Assigned Grafton Underwood, Kettering NN14, UK 29 October 1942

Based with 366BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF.
Crashed 76750 Buchy, France 6 September 1943

Missing in Action Stuttgart 6/9/43 mech failure, crashed Buchy, 19 miles SE of Dieppe. 3 x EVD, 6 x POW, 1 x KIA MACR 1344 & 2155.
Nicknames
'Rigor Mortis'
Production block number
B-17F-27-BO
Manufacturer
Boeing
Markings and paint scheme/livery

Coded KY-B.

Revisions

Date Contributor Update
30 September 2017 12:45:06 Al_Skiff Changes to production block number, nicknames, markings, events, unit associations, place associations and media associations
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/28692647?terms=41-24591
https://www.fold3.com/image/28692647
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmsn.asp?SN=41-24591&Submit6=Go
Date Contributor Update
27 September 2014 18:40:03 AAM AAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1344 / MACR 2155 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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