42-107216 Thunder Ball

Delivered Tulsa 27/3/44; Kearney 6/4/44; Dow Fd 14/4/44; Assigned 511BS/351BG [DS-Y] Polebrook 7/5/44; sustained battle damaged (34 m over Ulm 9/8/44 with Jim Myl, Co-pilot: Orville Bzoskie, Navigator: Mike O’Shea, Bombardier: Bob Pacquer, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Larry Re, Waist gunner: Leon Yurkus, Tail gunner: Tom Cardamona (7 RTD, rescued by RAF ASR); Radio Operator: Lester McClure, Ball turret gunner: Merton Rasmussen (2 KIA, died of exposure); flak, crew bailed over Bradwell Bay, Ex; Missing Air Crew Report 7391. THUNDER BALL.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-712896
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Belgium 9 August 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Date
ContributorDave618
Changes
Sources

Dave618

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7391 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database