42-30872 Blonde Bomber Betty Grable aka Ole Puss
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 3995 - Two airmen of the 96th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30872) nicknamed "Blonde Bomber".
Delivered Cheyenne 11/8/43; Gr Isle 31/8/43; Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-R] Snetterton 9/9/43; Missing in Action Bremen 16/12/43 with Lew Kerrick, Co-pilot: George Bleyle, Navigator: Lloyd Thompson, Bombardier: Floyd Eakman, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Alton Walker, Radio Operator: Ray Wright, Ball turret gunner: Don Denmead, Waist gunner: Chas Wilder, Waist gunner: Stan Maruso, Tail gunner: Ben Haynes (10 Killed in Action); hit by engine shot off from above then mid air coll with #42-31113 (96BG); crashed North Sea; Missing Air Crew Report 1565. BLOND BOMBER (OLE PUSS).
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-662947
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 31164049
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-736607
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18076488
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34406544
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
Aircraft
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Hollland | 16 December 1943 |
Revisions
Added an association to A/C #42-31113 listed in the A/C "description".
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1565 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database