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42-102501 BK-H, THE CHALLENGER, 384th Bomb Group, 546th Bomb Squadron
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B-17G 42-102501, 384th BG/546th BS
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Delivered Cheyenne 9/3/44; Gr Island 11/4/44; Dowe Fd 28/4/44; Assigned 546BS/384BG [BK-H] Grafton Underwood 12/5/44; Missing in Action Berlin 3/2/45 with Robert Clax Long, Frederick Arnold Maki, Jack Coleman Cook (3 Killed in Action); Ralph John Vrana, Edward Field, Marvin Irving Rudolph, Howard Jasper Oglesby, Thomas Arnold Davis, Donald Ramsey Duncan (6RTD; flak, ditched in the North Sea; THE CHALLENGER.
Service
Units
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Group
The 384th Bomb Group flew B-17s from Grafton Underwood, Northamptonshire, between May 1943 and June 1945. They were engaged in daylight bombing missions over Germany as part of the Allies' efforts to destroy the effectiveness of the Luftwaffe by...
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People
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Military | Technical Sergeant | MOS 757 - Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner, AAF | 384th Bomb Group
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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.
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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.
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Military | Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
Crashed into North Sea in Plane 'The Challenger #42-102501. He used his legs to act as a propeller to get the raft with most of crew moved over to the one with the pilot in it. However before the British rescued them he died. Through his efforts he...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
RTD - ditched into North Sea on 3 FEb 45 in B-17 'The Challenger' 42-102501
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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.
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Military | Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
RTD Ditched into North Sea on 3 Feb 45 in B-17 'The Challenger ' 42-102501
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Military | Sergeant | Flexible Gunner, Tail Gunner | 384th Bomb Group
Assigned to the 384th BG 547th BS on AAF Station 106 Special Orders #39 dated 27 February 1944, Jack N. McKinney Crew. 33 combat missions.
Wounded on 8th AF mission #361, 22 May 1944.
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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.
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Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator | 384th Bomb Group
Edward Field served as a navigator with the 384th Bomb Group, flying missions out of Grafton Underwood. On 3 February 1945, he was flying in B-17 'The Challenger' #42-102501 when the pilots were forced to ditch it in the North Sea. Field was one of six...
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Missions
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30 August 1944
End of Operation Overlord.
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14 October 1944
Black Week
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Places
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Military site : airfield
Grafton Underwood was built in 1941 by George Wimpey and Co. Ltd. It was the first airfield in England to receive an Eighth Air Force flying unit, when in May 1942 personnel of the 15th Bomb Squadron took up residence. As a satellite airfield for...
Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) |
North Sea |
3 February 1945 |