42-102663 Yardbird

Object Number - UPL 53162 - B-17G-55-BO 42-102663 "Yardbird" of the 533rd BS, 381st BG (VP*U)

Delivered Cheyenne 24/3/44; Kearney 15/4/44; Grenier 29/4/44; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-U] Ridgewell 21/5/44; Missing in Action 23m Peenemunde with Frank O'Black, Co-pilot: Bob Karch, Navigator: Francis Treanor, Bombardier: Herb Higginbotham, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gene Beck, Radio Operator: Wesley Rich, Ball turret gunner: Ollie Brown, Waist gunner: Bill Rich,Tail gunner: Bernie Fridberg (9INT); flak, bombs salvoed over Denmark, force landed Bulltofta, Sweden 18/7/44; Missing Air Crew Report 7552. Left 4/6/45 and Returned to the USA Bradley 13/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Independence 16/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Kingman 13/12/45. YARDBIRD.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

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

People

Eugene N Beck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Oliver E Brown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Bernard G Fridberg

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Herbert Higginbotham

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Robert C Karch

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 18 July 1944

Revisions

Date6 Sep 2021 11:20:46
Contributorvppelt68
Sources

533rd BS war diary (MIA/INT date)
Ron MacKay, "Ridgewell's Flying Fortresses" (external details seen in two pics pics on p. 151

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:11
ContributorAAM
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7552 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-102663: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 53162 - B-17G-55-BO 42-102663 "Yardbird" of the 533rd BS...