42-37788 Hell's Messenger

media-45681.jpeg UPL 45681 B-17G-15-DL #42-37888 "Hell's Messenger" Code: SO-N
384th BG - 547th BS - 8th AF
This a/c flew combat for 18 months and over 100 combat missions 384th Bomb Group collection

Object Number - UPL 45681 - B-17G-15-DL #42-37888 "Hell's Messenger" Code: SO-N 384th BG - 547th BS - 8th AF This a/c flew combat for 18 months and over 100 combat missions

Delivered Denver 28/8/43; Scott 16/9/43; Assigned 544BS/384BG Grafton Underwood 7/11/43; transferred 547BS [SO-N]; transferred to 364FG Leiston, Sfk, UK. 11/43; Returned to the USA Bradley 14/7/45; 4185 BU Independence 17/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 18/12/45. HELL’S MESSENGER.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36743988
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Mechanic / Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16006483
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
Headshot of man in Air Force uniform looking directly at camera and smiling
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-706110
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
eleven men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Six men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  Some of the men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33264020
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2073028
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator, Commanding Officer

Places

Aerial photography of Honington airfield looking south, the technical site with four C-type hangars and bomb dump are at the top, 21 June 1946. Photograph taken by No. 540 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/1589. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: RAF Honington
Aerial photograph of Leiston airfield looking south, the control tower and technical site are to the right, 16 October 1945. Photograph taken by No. 541 Squadron, sortie number RAF/106G/UK/929. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Theberton/Saxmundham

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Denver, CO 28 August 1943

Assigned

Grafton Underwood Airfield, UK 7 November 1943 384BG 544BS later 547BS

Other

1st 384th BG Combat Mission

Bremen, Germany 26 November 1943

Other

104th & Final 384th BG Combat Mission

Pilsen, Czech Republic 25 April 1945

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added an association to the 544BS as listed in the A/C description.

 

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized all the words in the nickname.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

AAIR 44-10-10-524 / Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-37788: Gallery (3 items)