42-102481 Kentucky Winner

media-20571.jpeg UPL 20571 Kentucky Winner (42-102481) was flown only once on 18 Jan 1945 by Lester Wise, pilot, on a mission from Great Ashfield to Kaiserslautern. He flew several different b-17s before and after that mission. 385th Bomb Group collection

Virginia Wise, eldest child of Lester Allen Wise

Object Number - UPL 20571 - Kentucky Winner (42-102481) was flown only once on 18 Jan 1945 by Lester Wise, pilot, on a mission from Great Ashfield to Kaiserslautern. He flew...

Delivered Cheyenne 7/3/44; Kearney 4/5/44; Grenier 19/4/44; Assigned 550BS/385BG [SG-P] Gt Ashfield 20/4/44; Missing in Action Berlin 18/3/45 with Bill Cocker, Bill Chaney, Harold Morthorst, Bob Crider, Ellis Murray, Vince Figini, Joe Ryan, Harry Grimet (8 Returned to Duty); Bill Martsch (Killed in Action); flak, crashed Grodzisk, Poland. Missing Air Crew Report 13141. KENTUCKY WINNER.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

William C Chaney

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

William Howell Cocke

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Robert W Crider

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner

Vincent C Figini

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Harry J Grimet

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

799

  • Date: 18 January 1945

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Russia 18 March 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorBolter 77
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Grodzisk is in Poland. In March 1945 Soviet troops stationed in this area.

Date
Contributoramorthorst
ChangesChanges to description
Sources

Correct a name to be Harold Morthorst

Date
Contributorssharkey
ChangesChanges to nicknames, place associations and media associations
Sources

385 Bomb Group Website

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 13141 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102481: Gallery (2 items)