42-97130

A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a shuttle mission to Russia in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97130) nicknamed "The Avenger II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 16 Aug 1944.' [stamp] amd '350395.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' U.S. SHUTTLE BOYS. Associated Press photo shows: Discussing the Russian-Italy-England shuttle flight by the tail of one of the 'planes which took part are pilots and crew members. G media-380380.jpg FRE 1575 A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a shuttle mission to Russia in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97130) nicknamed "The Avenger II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 16 Aug 1944.' [stamp] amd '350395.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' U.S. SHUTTLE BOYS. Associated Press photo shows: Discussing the Russian-Italy-England shuttle flight by the tail of one of the 'planes which took part are pilots and crew members. GLE 270743. 16844em.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1575 - A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a shuttle mission to Russia in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97130)...

Delivered Cheyenne 29/1/44; Tucson 20/2/44; Grenier 4/3/44; Slated 731BS/452BG, Assigned 570BS/390BG [DI-O] Framlingham 7/3/44 AVENGER II; Missing in Action Dusseldorf 9/9/44 with Bruno Latici, Co-pilot: Walt Werby, Navigator: Mario Valente, Bombardier: Cecil Smith, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: George Hinds, Radio Operator: Grover Swearingen, Ball turret gunner: Frank Brady, Waist gunner: Bob Brown,Tail gunner: Homer King (9 Prisoner of War); flak hit set #3 on fire, plane left formation, exploded and crashed Luedenscheid, near Brugge, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 8913. THE AVENGER II.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.

390th Bomb Group

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

People

Frank X Brady

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Robert O Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

George H Hinds

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Homer C King

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Bruno N Latici

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 9 September 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8913 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97130: Gallery (1 items)

A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to base after a shuttle mission to Russia in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97130) nicknamed "The Avenger II". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 16 Aug 1944.' [stamp] amd '350395.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: '' U.S. SHUTTLE BOYS. Associated Press photo shows: Discussing the Russian-Italy-England shuttle flight by the tail of one of the 'planes which took part are pilots and crew members. G

Object number: FRE 1575 - A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group return to...