42-3553

Delivered Denver 30 July 1943. Grand Island 10 August 1943. Assigned 339BS/96BG [QJ-H] Snetterton 29 August 1943. The Fortress had taken off on 8 November 1943 and was recalled due to heavy fog. It had apparently flown about three miles when it started to turn to begin assembly into Group formation. For some unknown reason it crashed into the ground, caught fire and blew up. Its debris were strewn across Bridge Meadow close to the home of Len King, Middle Farm, in West Harling, Norfolk, about three miles from base. All ten men on board were killed : Pilot Paul M. Hargett, Co-pilot: Waino A. Isaacson, Navigator: Clyde M. Yank, Bombardier: Robert N. Held, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Charles T. Brown, Radio Operator: Robert E. Newcomb, Ball turret gunner: Ronald A. Larson, Waist gunner: Harvey F. Petersen, Waist gunner: Rudolph Kubish,Tail gunner: Fred B. Comer. Salvaged.

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35374160
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19073393
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15097260 at enlistment, then 0-746331
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20212569 at enlistment, then O-679509
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 339th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16003519 at enlistment, then O-745689
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

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Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Found the Bombardier's name and corrected in the crew entry in Biography

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment Records
ABMC website
NARA WWII Casualties

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Completed names in Biography
NARA WWII ENlistment Records
ABMC website
WWII Casualties (NARA)

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log