42-38039

Delivered Cheyenne 18/11/43; Syracuse 12/12/43; Presque Is 15/12/43; slated 447BG, Assigned 561BS/388BG [B] Knettishall 20/12/43; Missing in Action Poznan 9/4/44 with Louis Trubia, Co-pilot: John Walker, Navigator: John Hynes, Bombardier: George Morrow, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Gear, Radio Operator: Bob Storandt, Ball turret gunner: John Vasta*, Waist gunner: Pat Parks, Waist gunner: Elsel Sommer* (9 Prisoner of War);Tail gunner: Dick Flagstad (KIA-hit by rifle fire during descent); flak, crashed Berkel, four miles E of Delft, Holl. (* These two evaded capture at crash site, but caught two weeks later in civilian clothes) Missing Air Crew Report 3655.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

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

People

Richard O Fagstad

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19169412
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Billy E Gear

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Joseph D Gentner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 447th Bomb Group 708th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

John B Hynes

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

James W Maher

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-754923
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 9 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3655 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database