42-102561

Delivered Cheyenne 14/3/44; Gr Island 2/4/44; Dow Fd 21/4/44; slated 385BG, Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-D] Snetterton 22/4/44; Missing in Action Karlsruhe 27/5/44 with Chas Irving, Bombardier: John Flanyak, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Paul Zalaker, Radio Operator: Jim Campbell, Waist gunner: Paul Nadeau,Tail gunner: George McCully (6 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Lou Pastore, Navigator: Ed Montgomery, Ball turret gunner: John Borneo, Waist gunner: Walt Froelhich (4 Prisoner of War); mid-air coll with 42-102475 (96BG), snapped in half; crashed Woessingen, nine miles E of Karlsruhe, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 5164.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.

96th Bomb Group

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

People

John R Borneo

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

James R Campbell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Three airmen of the 337th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group inspect the battle damaged tail of their B-17 Flying Fortress (AW-O, serial number 42-38133) nicknamed "Reluctant Dragon". They are from left to right: Second Lieutenant John C. Flemynk, the bombardier, from Chicago, Illinois; Technical Sergeant Leon H. Sweatt, the top turret gunner and engineer, from Divine, Texas; and Second Lieutenant Jerry T. Musser, the pilot, from Coral Gables, Florida. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Appears to be AW-O, 2381

John C Flanyak

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16071415 / O-757062
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Walter R Froehlich

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19180414
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Charles E Irving

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 27 May 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorkstrykerAK
Changes
Sources

Made error - Snetterton Falcons II: The 96th Bomb Group in World War II by Robert E Doherty & Geoffrey Ward, Second Edition with Errata & Supplemental Information, Taylor Publishing, 1996. pages 143, 148, 149, 293

Date
ContributorkstrykerAK
Changes
Sources

Snetterton Falcons II: The 96th Bomb Group in World War II by Robert E Doherty & Geoffrey Ward, Second Edition with Errata & Supplemental Information, Taylor Publishing, 1996. pages 204, 210, 293

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5164 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database