42-5997 Heaven Can Wait

Delivered Long Beach 16/6/43; Smoky Hill 12/7/43; Dow Fd 16/7/43; Assigned 351BS/100BG [EP-F] Thorpe Abbotts 17/7/43; Missing in Action Ludwigshafen 30/12/43 with Francis Smith, Co-pilot: Jim Law (2 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Saul Hershkowitz, Bombardier: Clyde Manion, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Amery, Radio Operator: John Swenson, Ball turret gunner: Alvin LittleWounded in Action, Waist gunner: John Runcel, Waist gunner: Conrad Stumpfig,Tail gunner: Bill Wertz (8 evaded capture); enemy aircraft set fire to cockpit, crashed Les Rosiers, two miles SE of Monthois, Fr.; Missing Air Crew Report 2019. HEAVEN CAN WAIT.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 30 December 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2019 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database