42-5717
B-17F-VE 42-5717 was delivered Cheyenne 13-Sep-42; New Castle 11-Oct-42; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-F] Thurleigh 29-Nov-1942. The aircraft was attacked by German fighters on the way to bomb the U-Boat pens at St Nazaire, France on 16 February 1943 and crashed near Guillac, France.
P: Capt William H. Warner (KIA); CP 2Lt Arnold R. Carlson (KIA)
N 1Lt Lewis H. Utley (KIA); B 1Lt Robert E. Kylius (EVD)
E/TTG T/Sgt Claiborne W. Wilson (EVD); RO T/Sgt Edward F.Espitallier (wounded-POW); BTG Sgt Walter C. Morgan (KIA); WG S/Sgt Robert D. Kisling (KIA); WG Sgt. Colin E. Neeley (KIA); TG S/Sgt William E. Williams (KIA). 7 KIA, 1 POW, 2 EVD. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 15472.
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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19067357 at enlistment, then O-727172
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39083381
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6658162
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17019588 at enlistment, then O-726043
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 423rd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19005539
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
![B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group fly over countryside. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 16 Feb 1943.' [stamp] Printed caption on reverse: '7-12 Liberator planes of U.S. Bomber Command in flight at the start of an operational patrol from their base "somewhere in England". And February 17th 1943 PN'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379113.jpg.webp?itok=PMFn3r3H)
- Date: 16 February 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Guillac, France | 16 February 1943 | crashed near Guillac, France |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Nov-2014. Added radio call sign per "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces" Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE.
Lee Cunningham 26-Nov-2014.Deleted DUPLICATE aircraft entry and combined data per MACR 15472. Formatted description.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15472 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database