Charles Joseph Searl

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-23625.jpeg UPL 23625 Charles J. Searl's Crew. Back row: (L-R) 2nd Lt. Leo C. Walsh-Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Albert L. Dion-Co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Charles J. Searl-Pilot, 2nd Lt. Saul J. Kempner-Navigator. Front row: (L-R) Sgt. Orville M. Wilson-Waist Gunner, S/Sgt. James A. Beaty-Engineer, Sgt. Alfred Bueffel-Ball Turret, Sgt. Albert W. Knight-Waist Gunner, Sgt. Cecil E. Kennedy-Radio Operator, Sgt. Frank A. Snyder-Tail Gunner. Photo was taken in early 1944 believed to be at "Rapid City "base. The aircraft in the photo is believed to be airframe 42-97267 “The Tomahawk Warrior” which was reassigned to the 381st BG at Ridgewell and a different B-17 to the one the crew were flying the day they were killed and which was B-17 G-DG 42-107191.

Caption corrected to cross reference other archive photographs of The Tomahawk Warrior.

Object Number - UPL 23625 - Charles J. Searl's Crew. Back row: (L-R) 2nd Lt. Leo C. Walsh-Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Albert L. Dion-Co-pilot, 2nd Lt. Charles J. Searl-Pilot, 2nd Lt....

Killed in Action (KIA) 12 August 1944 in B-17G 42-107191 near Penn, England. The aircraft exploded on impact with ground at Lude Farm, Penn, England whilst en-route to target. Aircraft was carrying 38 100lb AN M-30 GP Bombs for target at Luc airfield, Versailles, France.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.

398th Bomb Group

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

Aircraft

42-107191

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Tomahawk Warrior
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 600th Bomb Squadron

42-97267

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Tomahawk Warrior
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Tomahawk, Wisconsin 18 March 1921

Died

Penn, UK 12 August 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorHelen
Changes
Sources

Flak News July 1989

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Official USAAC crash report, Maxwell AFB

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Change to reflect location of death based on 398th Group Command report for 11-13 Aug 1944, and local Penn Parish records in accordance with narrative.

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Contemporary newspaper cutting from 1944

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Birth date from contemporary press cutting.

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Service number from WW2 Army Air Corps casualty list

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Contemporary newspaper report 1944.

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Group Commanders Report for mission 67, 12 August 1944

Date
ContributorDHardie
Changes
Sources

Edit description of accident to indicate explosiin occurred on ground impact and not in-flight.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / document

Charles Joseph Searl: Gallery (2 items)

Object number: UPL 23625 - Charles J. Searl's Crew. Back row: (L-R) 2nd Lt...

Object number: UPL 28469 - Contemporary newspaper account announcing the...