-
Back row left to right
Thomas H. “Pete” Fitzgerald – Pilot
Edward J. Bullitt – Co-Pilot
Edwin M. Dexter – Navigator
Richard D. Eide – Bombardier
Front row left to right:
Ralph “H” Hichens – Top Turret Gunner/Flight Engineer
Edward Gramc - Radio Operator/Gunner
Edgar L. “Pappy” Heeg - Tail Gunner
Charles O. Beckham – Ball Turret Gunner
Michael Kimak – Waist Gunner
This picture was taken on September 21, 1944 when they were assigned to the 305th BG 422nd BS. The crew was originally assigned to the 384th BG 546th BS on May 16, 1944. They flew 16 operational missions before being transferred to the 305th BG. on June 26, 1944 where they completed their tour.
The original crew when assigned to the 384th BG had Carl R. Matthiesen as the Radio Operator/Gunner and William J. Pattillo as the 2nd Waist Gunner. Ed Gramc was assigned to the 384th BG 546th BS on May 16, 1944 with the James A. Gibson crew. For unknown reasons, when the Fitzgerald crew was transferred, Ed Gramc went with them and Carl Matthiesen and William Pattillo stayed with the 384th BG.
-
My father, William Wesley Williams, Jr. (standing, far right) in front of "Stag Party - 43-37837" with his crew. He flew other planes also, but this is the one he flew the most.
43-37837 JJ-K ''STAG PARTY''
Lt. G.D. Garrett - Pilot
Lt. William Wesley Williams, Jr - Co-Pilot (Standing on the right)
John Zampatti - Navigator
S/Sgt Clour - Tail Gunner
S/Sgt Hall - Gunner
T/Sgt Dinan - Engineer
T/Sgt Vivona - Radio Operator
-
B-17G-70-BO, 43-37837, "Stag Party" sits on its hardstand at Chelveston
-
Nose artwork of B-17 Flying Fortress "Stag Party"
-
Closeup of the nose artwork on "Stag Party"
-
SSgt L Glenn Simms beside the Ball Turret of the B-17G, "Stag Party."
-
Phil Lichty crew
Jack Rowe front row second from left.
-
Dexter, Bullitt, Eide, Fitzgerald
-
Dexter, Eide, Bullitt, Fitzgerald
-
Hichens, Beckham, Kimak, Heeg
Delivered Cheyenne 27/5/44; Kearney 6/6/44; Grenier 17/6/44; Assigned 422BS/305BG Chelveston 28/6/44; Missing in Action Magdeburg 1/1/45 with Robert Wadhams, George Ten Eyck, Jim Howe, Tom Wade, Joe Mead, Claude Hudson (6 Killed in Action); Arnold Allen, Bowman Smith, Bernie Langenbacher, Calvin Proksch (4 Prisoner of War); shot down by Fw-190 aircraft, crashed Cröchern, Germany; Missing Air Crew Report 11354. STAG PARTY.
Service
Units
-
Group
The 305th Bombardment Group (Heavy), nicknamed "Can Do" was activated 1-March-1942 at Salt Lake City Air Base, Utah which was their primary training base until 11-Jun-1942 when they relocated to Geiger Field, Washington until 29-Jun-1942, then on to...
-
People
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Crashed near Croechern on 1 Jan 45 in B-17 'Stag Party' #43-37837, Prisoner of War (POW).
-
Military | Sergeant | Ball turret gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Bombardier | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 10 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | Second Lieutenant | Pilot | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 18 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | Staff Sergeant | Radio Operator; Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Transferred to the 305th Bombardment Group (per 546th BS Morning Report dated 26 June 1944).
Assigned to 384th Bomb Group on 16 May 1944, completed 16 Missions with 384th Bomb Group before transferring to 305th Bomb Group on 26 June 1944.
-
Military | Sergeant | 384th Bomb Group
-
Military | Technical Sergeant | top turret gunner and flight engineer | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Below is the list of missions he flew and the aircraft he was aboard:
...
-
Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 305th Bomb Group Can Do
Killed in Action (KIA) crashed near Croechern in B-17 'Stag Party' #4337837
Show more
Places
-
Military site : airfield
Chelveston was adapted and expanded in preparation for the arrival of American forces. Rather than heavy bombers, the first aircraft to fly from its runways were C-47 Skytrains that were flown by the 60th Troop Carrier Group in July 1942. The first...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany |
1 January 1945 |