42-29481 | American Air Museum

42-29481

Delivered Cheyenne 20/12/42; Salina 7/2/43; Denver 27/2/43; Morrison 9/3/43; Assigned 427BS/303BG [GN-Y] Molesworth 6/4/43; Missing in Action Wilhelmshafen (Heligoland Is) 15/5/43 with Chester Jacques, Co-pilot: Alvin Holder, Navigator: John Bradshaw, Bombardier: Bob Carlson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lester Corns, Radio Operator: Warren Vasel, Ball turret gunner: Ward Kirkpatrick, Waist gunner: Warren Morrison, Waist gunner: Clayton Ryan,Tail gunner: Keith Clapshaw, (10 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, shot down 10 miles east of Scharnhorn Is. Missing Air Crew Report 15515.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

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

Insignia associated with the 427th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force.

427th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

People

John M Bradshaw

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Robert C A Carlson

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier

Keith L Clapshaw

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 39387102
Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
Role/Job: Radio Operator Gunner, Tail Gunner

Lester O Corns

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 34176455
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Alvin D Holder

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: O-729856
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Co-Pilot, Navigator

Places

Aerial photograph of the east end of Molesworth airfield looking north, the control tower and two T2 hangars are right of the vertical runway, 5 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/889. English Heritage (RAF Photography).

Molesworth

Site type: Airfield

Missions

VIII Bomber Command 56

Date: 14 May 1943

VIII Bomber Command 54

Date: 4 May 1943

The control tower at Thurleigh air base. A B-17 Flying Fortress (WW-G, serial number 42-5729 later nicknamed "Buccaneer") of the 306th Bomb Group is visible in the background. Image via Mike Bowyer A veteran has written on the reverse: 'From Mike Bowyer 3/72 from collection of wing/Co. 76 sqd. Halifax at Home. RAF station WWII.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'WW:G 25729, GY:X.'

VIII Bomber Command 51

Date: 16 April 1943

Events

Event

Location

Date

Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW)

15 May 1943

Revisions

Date16 Apr 2024 19:13:36

Contributoracbernstein1

Changes

Sources

http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/035.pdf

Date9 Apr 2024 19:41:13

Contributoracbernstein1

Changes

Sources

http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/033.pdf

Date8 Apr 2024 19:36:01

Contributoracbernstein1

Changes

Sources

http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/030.pdf

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:22

ContributorAAM

Changes

Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15515 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database