42-29656 The Terrible Ten : Skunkface
R. E. Steele photo Joe Harlick Collection
Object Number - UPL 50905 - 42-29656 'Skunkface' 322nd BS, 91st Bg R. E. Steele photo
Delivered Denver 2/2/43; Salina 9/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-F] Molesworth 21/3/43 "THE TERRIBLE TEN"; transferred 322BS/91BG [LG-S] Bassingbourn 5/7/43 "SKUNKFACE". Missing in Action on its 19th mission, to Aschersleben, Germany on 20 February 1944. Pilot Ernest B. Kidd; Co-pilot: Benjamin G. Beauclair; Bombardier: Charles M. Betzel (initially evaded then captured); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ober L. Torvik; Radio Operator: Theodore J. Mazor; Left Waist gunner: Billie L. Ramsey; Right Waist gunner: Ernest B. Serna; Tail gunner: Francis A. Hentges (8 Prisoner of War); Navigator: Billy H. Huish (initially evaded, but caught 22 April 1944 by Gestapo and shot, along with some aircrew from other units; Ball turret gunner: Rex Wertman (2 Killed in Action). Enemy aircraft shot out two engines. Crashed near Lens railway station, seven miles NW of Mons, Belgium. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2460.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-803930
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17065646 and O-744176
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
![Sergeant Fred Dioquardo of the 303rd Bomb Group stokes the stove inside a hut. Image stamped on reverse: ''Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 28 Jan 1943.' [stamp], '245666.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Stoking the stove in an American Army Air Force hut somewhere in England. Sergeant Fred Dioquardo, of Bayport, Long Island, asked the photographer to send this message back to his parents and fiance Miss H Sherwood , Maple Ave, Long Island: "I will be home when I](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378811.jpg.webp?itok=kZtxwdDu)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 7071292
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13026553
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19110484 and O-750196
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 20 February 1944
- Date: 13 May 1943
- Date: 4 May 1943
- Date: 17 April 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
20 February 1944 | Shot down by fighters, crashed behind the Lens-sur-Dendre railway station, Belgium |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2460 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
