42-29784 Smilin-Thru
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
42-29784 Delivered to the Cheyenne, Wyoming Modification center on 18 February 1943. Moved to Salina, Kansas on 2 March 1943. Ferried overseas and assigned to the 366th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code KY-K, 305th Bombardment Group, station 105, Chelveston on 18 May 1943. Transferred to the 534th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code GD-E/F, 381st Bombardment Group, station 167, Ridgewell on 11 September 1943. Transferred to the 545th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JD-V, 384th Bombardment Group, station 106, Grafton Underwood on 4 October 1943.
On return from the second Schweinfurt mission with battle damage, 14 October 1943, with Pilot-Erwin C. Johnson, Co-pilot-Elliott Leroy Gadd, Navigator-William E. Bailey, Bombardier-George J. Littleton, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner-Leo A. Hunt, Radio Operator-Sam D. Ranallo, Ball Turret Gunner-Clement A. Couture, Tail Gunner Lawrence L. Parsons, Waist Gunner-Earl S. Baker and Waist Gunner-Gustave Fless. The entire crew bailed out and returned to duty. The aircraft crashed near Baydon, Wiltshire, UK. The aircraft was salvaged on 18 October 1943. Aircraft Name: SMILIN-THRU
Connections
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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: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13065833
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Togglier, Flexible Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-747390
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 14 October 1943