42-102672 Ol Swayback

Delivered Cheyenne 24/3/44; Hunter 9/4/44; Dow Fd 29/4/44; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP- Ridgewell 21/5/44; Missing in Action Dessau 30/5/44 with Merrill Burton, Co-pilot: Dave Bredeson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Eylens, Ball turret gunner: Ralph Powell (4 Killed in Action); Navigator: Alvin Berry (Wounded in Action), tog-Sgt Bob Hammond (Wounded in Action), Radio Operator: Jim Marbry, Waist gunner: Vic Pillotmia, Tail gunner: Bob Hittel (5 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, set wing afire between #3 and #4, ship exloded before all could bail out, crashed between Werderhausen and Piethen, 17 miles SW of Dessau, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 5233. OL' SWAYBACK.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier/Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35565225
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 533rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32626389
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Togglier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 30 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Added "()" around the words "Wounded in Action" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5233 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database