James P Van Pelt

Military
media-50571.jpeg UPL 50571 2nd Lt. James Van Pelt (Bombardier) and 2nd Lt. Alfred Kovner (Navigator) were relocated on 21 June 1944 to "Sleepytime Gal" from "Superstitious Aloysius". "Sleepytime Gal" was shot down later en route to Berlin. James Van Pelt became a POW and Alfred Kovner was KIA.
This may have been the last photo of Sleepytime Gal at Bassingbourn. The photo above was taken the same day that Sleepytime Gal was shot down. 2nd Lt. James P. Van Pelt (Bombardier) is shown on the right checking the bombs. The other two service members are unidentified ground crew.
Photo and information contributed by Drew Van Pelt (son of 2nd Lt. James Van Pelt, Bombardier)
















Object Number - UPL 50571 - 2nd Lt. James Van Pelt (Bombardier) and 2nd Lt. Alfred Kovner (Navigator) were relocated on 21 June 1944 to "Sleepytime Gal" from "Superstitious...

Shot down by fighters and crashed at Ruehlow on 6/21/44 in B-17 #42-102527 'Sleepytime Gal'. Prisoner of War (POW)

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sleepytime Gal
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

New Orleans, Louisiana

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added S/N per MACR 5983 at Fold3.com.
SOURCE: https://www.fold3.com/image/28647660

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" for clarity.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5983

James P Van Pelt: Gallery (1 items)