42-32030 Devil's Luck
Source: Jayna DeRidder-Huotari, granddaughter of Joseph A. DeRidder
Object Number - UPL 20355 - Photo of "Devil's Luck" (42-32030) exploding over Munich on July 31, 1944. All crew were killed except for one, Fred Justus, who managed to bail out...
Delivered Cheyenne 17/1/44; Gr Island 4/2/44; Assigned 561BS/388BG Knettishall 11/2/44; Missing in Action Munich 31/7/44 with Ora Castrup, Co-pilot: Joe DeRidder, Navigator: Harvey Dellward, Bombardier: Chester Pluta, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ira Robinson, Radio Operator: Harry Guyette, Ball turret gunner: Pasquale Spina, Tail gunner: John McCleary (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Fred Justus (Prisoner of War); flak, exploded Schleisheim, N of Munich, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 7744. DEVIL'S LUCK.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-756179
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-712521
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-818637
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-799377
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-752847
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 31 July 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
Cheyenne, WY, USA | 17 January 1944 | |
|
Assigned |
Knettishall, Diss IP22 2TH, UK | 11 February 1944 | |
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Schleissheim, Oberschleißheim, Germany | 31 July 1944 |
Revisions
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
Information sent by Dick Read relating to Arthur M. Read and the 388th Bomb Group. (From 'The 388th At War' by Ed Huntzinger).
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7744 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
