43-37822 The Lead Banana

media-40110.jpeg UPL 40110 B-17G 43-37822 'Lead Banana' 544BS, 384BG, 8AF.

Object Number - UPL 40110 - B-17G 43-37822 'Lead Banana' 544BS, 384BG, 8AF.

Delivered Cheyenne 25/5/44; Kearney 8/6/44; Grenier 28/6/44; Assigned 544BS/384BG [SU-N] Grafton Underwood 29/6/44; Missing in Action Magdeburg 28/9/44 with John Buslee, Co-pilot: Dave Albrecht, Navigator: Bill Henson, Bombardier: Bob Stearns, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Len Bryant, Radio Operator: Seb Peluso, Ball turret gunner: George McMann,Tail gunner: Gerald Anderson (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: George Farrar (Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Ostingersleben, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 9753. LEAD BANANA.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15125471 / O-767423
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Ten men in Air Force combat flying gear  posed in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are laying in front of kneeling men
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19115653 / O-758505
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Man in Air Force uniform posed standing outdoors in front of wooden buildings.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37479451
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38344446
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-764209
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

  • Date: 28 September 1944
  • Date: 26 September 1944
  • Date: 25 September 1944
  • Date: 21 September 1944
  • Date: 19 September 1944

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lazy Daisy
  • Unit: 546th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Cheyenne AAF, WY 25 May 1944 Delivered Cheyenne AAF 25-May-44.

Assigned

Grafton Underwood, UK 29 June 1944 Assigned 544BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF.

Crashed

Ostingersleben, Germany 28 September 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Magdeburg 28-Sep-44; flak, crashed Ostingersleben, Ger; 1 x POW, 8 x KIA MACR 9753

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Image

Date
Contributorphil marchese
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Sources

Freeman, ...Story
Marchese FLYING FORTRESS 1936 1945

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Freeman, ...Story
Marchese FLYING FORTRESS 1936 1945

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 9753 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-37822: Gallery (3 items)