Eugene S Isley

Military
media-22970.jpeg UPL 22970 William J. Waldron Crew at the completion of B-17 crew training at Ardmore, Oklahoma, about September 1944.
B-17G-45-VE #44-8055 - 222nd Base Unit - Ardmore AAF
Back row (L to R):
William J. Waldron (pilot), Oscar F. Eshleman (copilot), Joseph S. Shuster (navigator), and Russell C. Neu (bombardier)
Front row (L to R):
Benedict A. Andrew (engineer-top turret gunner), George J. Ferenchak (radio operator), Eugene S. Isley (armorer-waist gunner), Charles K. Brokke (waist gunner), Reuben F. Baganz (ball turret gunner), and James P. Naughton (tail gunner).

The crew deployed to England and was assigned to the 836th Bomb Squadron of the 487th Bomb Group, at Army Air Forces Station 137 near the village of Lavenham, Suffolk, England on 19 October 1944. Charles Brokke was taken off the crew after arrival at Lavenham. The crew flew with only waist gunner, as was the custom at that time.

The crew was shot down near Liege, Belgium on December 24, 1944. Eshleman, Shuster, Andrew, Ferenchak, Baganz, and Naughton were killed in action. Waldron, Neu, and Isley survived.

"The B-17 Flying Fortress Story" - Roger Freeman
page 285

Object Number - UPL 22970 - William J. Waldron Crew at the completion of B-17 crew training at Ardmore, Oklahoma, about September 1944. B-17G-45-VE #44-8055 - 222nd Base Unit -...

All but 3 crew members killed when B-17G #43-38926 'Weary Willy' piloted by Lieutenant William J. Waldron was attacked by fighters and crashed in Belgium. Isley, Russel Neu and Walron survived.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 487th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron 838th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2058133
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot, Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 487th Bomb Group 836th Bomb Squadron

Places

Officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room.
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Shot Down - Survived

Rouvreux, 4140 Sprimont, Belgium

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed a space in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"The History of the 487th BG" - Ivo De Jong

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The History of the 487th BG Roll of Honor pp. 302-5 and account pp 197-8 MACR 11675

Eugene S Isley: Gallery (1 items)