42-3517 Happy Warrior

Delivered Denver 12/7/43; Rapid City 10/8/43; Assigned 508BS/351BG [YB-O] Polebrook 27/9/43; Missing in Action 15m Schweinfurt 24/2/44 with Richard Caughman, Navigator: John Avery, Radio Operator: John Mattila, Ball turret gunner: Paul Young, Waist gunner: Eugene Colburn, Tail gunner: James McGinty (6 evaded capture); Co-pilot: John Boehn, Bombardier: Richard Perkins, Waist gunner: Howard Langer (3 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Eugene Strassburger (Killed in Action); flak, on return crashed Grattepanche, eight miles S of Amiens, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 2773. HAPPY WARRIOR.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-742835
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34338496
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32515125
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 24 February 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Mighty Eighth War Diary
Escape & Evasion Reports

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2773 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database