42-39781 Career Girl
Standing, left to right :
Leonard L. Dahnke, Bombardier; Gordon A. Ballagh, Navigator; Frank Mitchell, Co-Pilot; George W. Luke Jr, Pilot. Front, from left to right : Elwood D. Yaekel, Left Waist gunner; Robert H. Washburn, Ball Turret gunner; Millard A. Boren, Engineer/Top Turret gunner; Sherman G. Wright, Right Waist gunner; Ira J. Walter, Tail gunner and Ben T. Day, Radio Operator. (Official USAAF photo – NARA)
Official USAAF photo – NARA
Delivered Long Beach 29/8/43; Scott 19/9/43; Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU- ] Molesworth 18/10/43. Flew on 4 missions. Missing in Action on the raid to Solingen, Germany 1 December 1943 with Pilot George W. Luke Jr, Navigator: Gordon A. Ballagh, Bombardier: Leonard L. Dahnke, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Millard A. Boren, Radio Operator: Ben T. Day, Left Waist gunner: Elwood D. Yeakel, Right Waist gunner: Sherman G. Wright, Ball turret gunner: Robert H. Washburn, Tail gunner: Ira J. Walter (9 Prisoners of War). Co-pilot: Frank Mitchell (evaded capture). Flak, crashed Radinghem-en-Weppes, 10km West of Lille (Nord Department), France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 1325.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12051051
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
Places
Missions
Revisions
Added a unit connection to the 8th AF since the 303rd BG is part of 8th AF.
My father (2nd Lt. Leonard L Dahnke) was on the three missions that "Career Girl" executed.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1325 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database