42-31417 Big Time Operator II, Patches

Delivered Cheyenne 1/11/43; Gr Island 9/11/43; Nashville 11/11/43; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-R] Ridgewell 11/12/43 BIG TIME OPERATOR II; Missing in Action 7m Oschersleben 11/1/44 with Ernie Klein, Co-pilot: Paul Chelf, Bombardier: Louis Gill, Radio Operator: Melvin Soderstrom, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Pope, Left Waist gunner: Ed Schuitema, Right Waist gunner: John Miskin,Tail gunner: John Bunworth (Prisoner of War), Nose Gunner: Jim Counce, Ball turret gunner: Stan Wright (2 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, on return crashed N of Hildesheim, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 1879. PATCHES.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

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

People

John S Bunworth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6830301
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Paul C Chelf

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-801987
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot

James D Counce

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34287352
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner

Louis Houston Gill

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16059463 at enlistment, then O-734667
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Ernest M Klein

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-733664
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 11 January 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1879 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database