John Dudrich
Military ROLL OF HONOURCollided with enemy aircraft on 4 October 1943 in B-24 #4240989 'Holiday Mess. ' Killed in Action (KIA).
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16028759
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-734663
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35495933
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35462147
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17015167
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Holiday Mess
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 506th Bomb Squadron
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Died |
4 October 1943 | ||
|
Born |
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA | ||
|
Other Killed in Action (KIA) |
North Sea | 4 October 1943 | The 8th Air Force operations order of 4 October called for the 392nd to lead two formations of eighteen airplanes each across the North Sea, with feigning attacks toward Wilhelmshaven and toward Emden. The purpose was to draw German fighters from the B-17 formations on their big attack on the factory complexes of Frankfurt, Germany. If shipping convoys were sighted, we were to bomb them. The 392nd flew alone except for one flight consisting of six 44th and three 93rd aircraft. Most of their ships and crews were still returning from action in North Africa. Diversions were usually considered “milk runs”, but this turned out to be anything but that when this formation succeeded in attracting 30 to 50 single-engine enemy aircraft. These “yellow noses” attacked and one of these bandits slashed through the formation. It was hit by the B-24 gunners, which knocked off its wing and it lost control and slammed into the aircraft piloted by Lt. F. V. Johnston. The collision sent both planes down into the sea. There were no survivors from this 506th Squadron crew. #42-40989 Crew 2nd/Lt. Frederick V. Johnston Pilot MIA/KIA 2nd/Lt. John Dudrich Co Pilot MIA/KIA 2nd/Lt. George N. Larsen Navigator MIA/KIA 2nd/Lt. Adrian E. Fredricks Bombardier MIA/KIA S/Sgt. Donald Green Engineer MIA/KIA S/Sgt. Eugene E. Andris Radio Op. MIA/KIA S/Sgt. Phillip D. Idlet Gunner MIA/KIA S/Sgt. Eugene H. Funkhouser Gunner MIA/KIA Sgt. David Pest Gunner MIA/KIA Sgt. Emerson D. Short Gunner MIA/KIA |
Revisions
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 940 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database