November 1943 - April 1944.

ETTG, Putek crew. 381st BG, 535th BS, 8th AF. Mission #66. Returned to England after an explosion and ensuing fire near the top turret while enroute to Nancy a/f, FR on 6 Feb 1944 in B-17G #42-40025 'Touch the Button Nell'. The fire in the cockpit and top turret area convinced the pilot, Lt Putek, to order the crew to bail out. The Navigator, Bombardier and CP all bailed out. S/Sgt French was able to extinguish the fire. Although severely burned, he was also able to assist at the controls of the aircraft until they landed at a B-24 patrol base in Dunkeswell, England. RTD.