42-5843 Black Ghost
![A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-413575.jpg.webp?itok=wJFNd5nk)
384thbombgroup.com
Object Number - FRE 4891 - A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on...
Delivered Long Beach 17/3/43; Sioux City 13/4/43; Kearney 4/5/43; Dow Fd 20/5/43; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-S] Grafton Underwood 29/5/43; Missing in Action Stuttgart 6/9/43 with Ralph R. Pulcipher, Co-pilot: Merle Johnson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Thomas E. Furrey, Radio Operator: Asbury Lee Perkins (4 evaded capture), Navigator: William Eudey, Bombardier: Paul S. Givens, Ball turret gunner: Willard D. McLain, Waist gunner: Joe M. Hawkins, Waist gunner: Judson L. Dacus,Tail gunner: Albert F. Gase (6 Prisoner of War); no gas, crashed Beauvais, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 1455 & 774. BLACK GHOST.
Connections
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Units served with
People
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=7d6KhVuE)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15117276
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
![A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413575.jpg.webp?itok=S1pPdq5S)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-741911
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-665313
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17088525
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6284668
- Highest Rank: Master Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner
Places
Missions
- Date: 19 August 1943
![Regensburg, after being bombed by B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group, 17 August 1943. Official caption on image: "(O-5-1-385)(17-8-43)(30171-6 3/8 - 24,000)(Regensberg)." Passed for publication 6 Sep 1943. Printed caption on reverse: '#44: View of the target.' Censor no: 282458. On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413725.jpg.webp?itok=AMwIgGyH)
- Date: 17 August 1943
- Official Description:
- Date: 16 August 1943
- Date: 15 August 1943
- Date: 29 July 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Beauvais, France | 6 September 1943 - 6 September 1943 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database