42-102402

Cheyenne 29/2/44; Gr Island 11/3/44; Bangor 2/4/44; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-L] Grafton Underwood 4/4/44; Missing in Action Kiel 22/5/44 with Milton Castleman, Co-pilot: Jack Hickey, Navigator: Gene Hepp, Bombardier: Ron Merkley, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Stevens, Radio Operator: John Hardman, Ball turret gunner: Herb Cook, Waist gunner: John Markiewicz (8 Prisoner of War); Tail gunner: John Fitch (Killed in Action); flak KOd two engines and mech faults, crashed on farm near Rethwischfeld, 11 miles SW of Lubeck, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4954.

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

Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane.  Five men standing to the rear and five men kneeling in front.  The men are wearing cold-weather flying gear.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16018890 / O-690928
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31216315
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17152119
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39167609
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16083820 / O-707053
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 22 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4954 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database