Steven James Perri
Military
Removed associations not depicted in the image. Associations made in the PERSON record.
Object Number - UPL 50674 - Steven J Perri, Ball Turret Gunner on Delta Rebel, 323rd BS, 91st BG
Assigned to 323BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF.
Steve was the Ball Turret Gunner on George Birdsong’s Delta Rebel crew. Flew 25 missions on B-17 'Delta Rebel No 2'. First mission was 7-Nov-42. In July 1943, the town of Long Branch, NJ welcomed him home with a hero's welcome.
In later years, Steven became the 91st Bomb Group Memorial Association’s historian and editor of the "Ragged Irregular".
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14054677 / O-789364
- Highest Rank: Colonel
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
![The crew of a B-17 Flying Fortress (OR-T, serial number 42-5077) nicknamed "Delta Rebel No II" at Bassingbourn. Image stamped on reverse: ’Reviewed and Passed U.S Army 24 Mar 1943 Press Censor No 21 E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]. 'Passed for publication 24 MAR 1943 INTLD 32 Central Section Press Censorship Bureau' [stamp on appendage]. 'Associated Press' [stamp]. '254760' [Censor no]. Printed caption on reverse: 'FORTRESSES DAY RAID ON WILHELMSHAVEN The German naval base at Wilhelmshaven was successfully attac](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379161.jpg.webp?itok=Nab7DCHZ)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Delta Rebel No. 2
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 323rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 4 March 1943
- Date: 7 November 1942
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Asbury Park, New Jersey | 19 January 1922 | Son of James Perri. |
|
Enlisted |
Newark, NJ | 25 November 1941 | Newark, New Jersey |
|
Based |
Bassingbourn | 7 November 1942 | Assigned to 323BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Died |
West Caldwell, New Jersey | 13 January 2007 | Formerly married to Dorothy (née Bradley) who is deceased. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Perri; his son, James Perri; two daughters, Lynn (Frank) Payer, and Kim Barney; four grandchildren; and three great- grandchildren. |
|
Buried |
2 April 2007 | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia Columbarium Court 9-N09 Column 6 Niche 3 |
Revisions
A complete biography of Perri can be found at James F Justin Museum website
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self
