42-38133 Reluctant Dragon

A B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "482. (44.) W.P.U. 3-2-44. Bolt Head. B-17G 42-38133. A. F.S.A.D." Handwritten caption on reverse: '96th BG. AW-O.' media-408627.jpg FRE 3979 A B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "482. (44.) W.P.U. 3-2-44. Bolt Head. B-17G 42-38133. A. F.S.A.D." Handwritten caption on reverse: '96th BG. AW-O.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 3979 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "482. (44.) W.P.U....

Delivered Cheyenne 23/12/43; Kearney 7/1/44; Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-O] Snetterton 15/1/44; severe damage over Berlin 8/5/44 with Jerry Musser, Bombardier: John Flayak, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Leon Sweatt (3 Returned to Duty); Co-pilot: Harry Kennett, Navigator: Royles Lay, Radio Operator: Chas Willard, Ball turret gunner: Fred Korhonen, Waist gunner: Dempsey Wolfe, Tail gunner: Harry Lusk (6 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: Bob Blevins (Killed in Action), ship limped home, Missing Air Crew Report 4567;



Missing in Action Berlin 30/11/44 with Fred Towle, Ed Lohmeir, Rimaldo Zona, Barry Grubb, John Sikich, Bill Panoski (6 Prisoner of War); George Doutt, Ralph Ullman, Bill Popolorum (3 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Elfgin, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 10833. RELUCTANT DRAGON. (One of first B-17s with fully enclosed waist windows and Cheyenne tail gun installation in UK.)

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-756847
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Three airmen of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group inspect the battle damaged tail of their B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) nicknamed "Reluctant Dragon". They are from left to right: Second Lieutenant John C. Flemynk, the bombardier, from Chicago, Illinois; Technical Sergeant Leon H. Sweatt, the top turret gunner and engineer, from Divine, Texas; and Second Lieutenant Jerry T. Musser, the pilot, from Coral Gables, Florida. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Appears to be AW-O, 2381
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16071415 / O-757062
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 8 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorDenisedoutt
Changes
Sources

My great grandfather is George Doutt. It was spelled incorrectly. Wanted this fixed thank you

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4567 / MACR 4568 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-38133: Gallery (2 items)