42-31079 | American Air Museum

42-31079

media-35295.jpeg UPL 35295 "Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group, 8th AF, enroute to bomb target at Augsburg, Germany. 25 Feb. 1944. (Altitude 22,000 Feet)."

42-5729 'Buccaneer' ( center) leads a 3-ship flight of 401st Bomb Sq Fortresses on their way to Augsburg. 42-31079 flies his right wing,
42-37958 'Old Faithful' on his left wing.

https://www.fold3.com/image/39018418

Object Number - UPL 35295 - "Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb Group, 8th AF, enroute to bomb target at Augsburg, Germany. 25 Feb. 1944. (Altitude 22,000...

Delivered Cheyenne 15/9/43; Scott 23/10/43; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 14/11/43; transferred 401BS/91BG [LL-J/F] Bassingbourn 20/11/43; Missing in Action Erkner 6/3/44 with Paris Coleman, Navigator: Arthur Rinne, Ball turret gunner: Osceola Phillips,Tail gunner: Steve Pogan (4 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bob Thompson, Bombardier: Jim O’Looney, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Orlando Puntorno, Radio Operator: Kirk Aldridge, Waist gunner: Art Truesdale, Waist gunner: Francis Deary (6 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft shot off right stabilizer, crashed Lindstedt, seven NW of Gardelegen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2897.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 401st Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group.

401st Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.

91st Bomb Group

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

People

Kirk R Aldrich

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 39376997
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
Role/Job: Radio Operator

Paris R Coleman

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Lieutenant
Role/Job: Pilot

Francis J Deary

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: waist gunner

James S O'Looney

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier

Osceola D Phillips

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 91st Bomb Group 401st Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Places

Aerial photograph of Bassingbourn airfield looking east, Whaddon is at the top, the bomb dump is to the left of the main runway, which runs vertically; the control tower and technical site with four C-Type hangars is on the right, 23 August 1945. Photograph taken by No. 542 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/692. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Bassingbourn

Site type: Airfield

Bomber crews from the 401st Bomb Group look over P-51 Mustang, FT-T, serial number 43-12172, of the 353rd Fighter Squadron, 354th Fighter Group, at Deenethorpe airfield. One of their B-17 Flying Fortresses is in the background. Printed caption on reverse of print: '...401st Bomb Group look over a North American P-51 Mustang at an 8th Air Force base in England, 27 December 1943.'

Deenethorpe

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Benefield

Events

Event

Location

Date

Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany

6 March 1944

Revisions

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:36

ContributorAAM

Changes

Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2897 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31079: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 35295 - "Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 91st Bomb...