42-102616 Spirit of Valley Forge/The Spirit/616

Built in March of 1944 at the Vega Aircraft Plant in Southern California. Wright-Cyclone engines made by Studebaker, Sperry gyros made by Jack and Heintz and .50 calibre machine guns cartridges made by Revlon. The Burns crew made 35 round trips without any casualties or aborts.



Delivered Cheyenne 18/3/44; Kearney 5/4/44; Grenier 30/4/44; Assigned 410BS/94BG [GL-K] Rougham 3/5/44; Missing in Action Bohlen 7/10/44 with George Wheeler, Otto Schmidt, Bob Williamson, Jim Malone, Mike Kwasnesky, Merrill Failla, John Pitsch (7 Killed in Action); Jack Ogden, Ray Holston (2 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft set fire to ship, crashed Langenroda, Ger?. Missing Air Crew Report 9558. SPIRIT OF VALLEY FORGE.

Connections

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Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'

94th Bomb Group

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

People

Joseph B Burns

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Merrill R Failla

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Martin Garren

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-815877
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Raymond W Holston

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Michael J Kwasnesky

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 7 October 1944 This was the Wheeler crew's third mission.

Revisions

Date
Contributorusxpat
Changes
Sources

Memoirs of Captain Martin Garren Jr, CoPilot and Pilot of the aircraft. Accessed at www.usaaf.co.uk

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 9558 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database