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

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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

Alvin C Berry

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

David L Bredeson

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

Merril O Burton

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

John Thomas Eylens

  • 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

Robert J Hammond

  • 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

Date29 May 2020 04:01:04
Contributorjmoore43
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.

Date27 Sep 2014 18:40:11
ContributorAAM
Sources

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