42-29744 Battling Bee
Delivered Cheyenne 18/2/43; Salina 2/3/43; Assigned 367BS/306BG [GY-O] Thurleigh 20/4/43. Missing in Action Heligoland Airdrome 15 May 1943 with Pilot Frank B. Clemons Jr, Radio Operator: John L. Mulherin, Ball turret gunner: Donald A. Kind, Waist gunner: Reuben A. Carr, Waist gunner: Emil J. Miller, Tail gunner: Roy T. Fries (6 Killed in Action). Co-pilot: James M. Clark, Navigator: Louis S. Means (Wounded in Action(, Bombardier: Oran R. Highley (Wounded in Action), Flight engineer/top turret gunner: William J. Condon (4 Prisoners of War). Aircraft downed by enemy aircraft and Flak. Crash landed in shallow water between Neuwerk Island and Cuxhaven, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report 15512.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 07002327
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-000085
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17042780 at enlistment, then O-729813
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16037798
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39095792
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Missions
- Date: 15 May 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) |
North Sea-Neuwerk Island | 15 May 1943 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 15512 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database