1-Apr-42 303BG website personnel records have SGT Joseph F. Klasnick assigned as an Aerial Gunner with the crew of Louis M. Schulstad probably on B-17 41-24567 "Beats Me" 303BG/360BS. However, the records do not indicate that he stayed with that aircraft and crew, and it could not be determined when he arrived at Molesworth, UK.



3-Jan-43 SGT Klasnick flew his first 16 Operations as Right Waist Gunner on B-17 41-24567 "Beats Me", 303BG/360BS as a substitute gunner.



23-Jan-43 as Left Waist Gunner on B-17 41-24579 "Thumper", 303BG/360BS the aircraft sustained battle damage on a mission to Lorient, France and returned to southwest England with only one engine operating. Pilot Castle ordered a bale out. Pilots Castle and Fitzsimmons landed B-17 41-24579 "Thumper" wheels up near Bristol. He baled out and was not injured and Returned to Duty (RTD).



On 25-Jun-43 in B-17 42-5468 'Quinine The Bitter Dose' while serving as Waist Gunner the aircraft was attacked by fighters on a mission to Hamburg, Germany. The Radio Operator, TSgt Dick W. Jones was killed in the attack and Navigator, 1Lt James F. Kelly and SSgt Klasnick were wounded. The pilot, Capt George V. Stallings, managed to fly the aircraft back to England and he ordered the crew to bale out in the area of Coltishall, Norfolk. He then flew the aircraft out to sea and baled out off of Waxham, Norfolk and swam ashore. SSgt Klasnick bailed out successfully and after a short stay in hospital, Returned to Duty (RTD). He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions on this day.



On 8-Mar-44 in B-17 42-31471 'Doolittle's Destroyers' while serving as Toggler the aircraft was the damaged by flak and later attacked by ME109s on a mission to Berlin. The entire crew was able to bail out and all were captured as Prisoners of War (POW). Captured near Hillersleben, Germany. This was his 16th mission.



Mission Participations (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events.