John E Breen

Military
media-30080.jpeg UPL 30080 S/Sgt John E Breen 305BG being awarded the silver star.

https://www.fold3.com/image/231681000?terms=42-29673

Object Number - UPL 30080 - S/Sgt John E Breen 305BG being awarded the silver star.

Assigned to 422BS, 305BG, 8AF USAAF. 15-May-43 20 mm shells from FW190 came through window, shot away plexiglass nose of B-17 42-29673 'Old Bill'. Later had mid air collision with RAF Beaufighter on training mission in B17 42-5376 'Eager Eagle' 31-Aug-43. One of only 2 survivors on the plane. 30-Jan-44 returned to US after being grounded by the Medical Board.



Awards: SS, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

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

People

Charles Francis Awrajcewicz

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31125603
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-29673

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Old Bill
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron 422nd Bomb Squadron

42-5376

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Eager Eagle
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

Key Image ID.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey pp 121-2, p. 259

John E Breen: Gallery (3 items)

Brigadier-General Anderson meets a bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (WF-F) nicknamed "Old Bill" after a raid on Heliogland. Passed for publication 26 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'One Air Ship, One Trip: Two DSC's, 8 Silver Stars And Seven Purple Hearts. Members of the crew of the Flying Fortress "Old Bill" have scored highest total of decorations to be awarded for one action. They reached their target and brought the plane back to base although the Navigator wa

Object number: FRE 10442 - Brigadier-General Anderson meets a bomber crew of...

Object number: UPL 30080 - S/Sgt John E Breen 305BG being awarded the silver...

Object number: UPL 30084 - Bruce Bairnsfather, war correspondent and famous...