42-39952
Grand Nephew
Object Number - UPL 31164 - A/C 42-39952 & 42-39938 MACR 2196 & 2197
Delivered Long Beach 15/10/43; Gr Island 31/10/43; Assigned 551BS/385BG Gt Ashfield 27/11/43; Missing in Action Wilhelmshafen 3/2/44 with Bob Morse, Co-pilot: Van Watson, Navigator: Bruce DeMar, Bombardier: Paul Kite, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bob Bretschneider, Radio Operator: Dawson Wilson, Ball turret gunner: Thelton Britt, Waist gunner: Vito DiSabato, Waist gunner: Bob Smart,Tail gunner: Jesse Morrell (10 Killed in Action); mid-air coll with 42-39938 (385BG); crashed North Sea, off Texel, Hol. Missing Air Crew Report 2196.
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
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
![First Lieutenant Louis A. Dentoni of the 385th Bomb Group checks the bomb load of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Lulu Belle" before a mission. Passed for publication 25 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Youth Of The Flying Fortresses. USP/224I-49. A Flying Fortress hero - the leading bombadier[sic] of this Flying Fortress group who is only 24 years of age. He is 1/Lt. Louis A. Dentoni, here seen in the bomb bay of his Fort, checking the load before the take-off on another mission in the "Lulu Be](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413630.jpg.webp?itok=F7rJs_L0)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19036033 on enlistment, O-735978
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Group Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31169888
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) |
English Channel | 3 February 1944 |