42-31345 Lady Stardust II
Object Number - UPL 21578 - Part of the "Lady Stardust II" crew. From left to right: F/O Harold Eastman Jr (Co-Pilot); SSgt Merl D. Orcutt (Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner);...
Delivered Cheyenne 23/10/43; Walla Walla 6/11/43; Assigned 100 Thorpe Abbotts 7/1/44; transferred 728BS/452BG Deopham Green 8/1/44 KICKAPOO JOY JUICE; Missing in Action Brux 12/5/44 with Milan Mareck, Co-pilot: Harold Eastman Jr, Navigator: Larry Defeo, Bombardier: Cornelius Kohlman, Radio Operator: Dwight Miller, Ball turret gunner: Sam Fain, Waist gunner: Don Kemman, Waist gunner: Ernie Hughingson,Tail gunner: George Bouckek (9 Returned to Duty); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Merl Orcutt (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft KOd two engines, ditched Thames Estuary, about a mile W of Knockfortjohn, Kent, UK, crew picked up by ASR, but ettg went down with the ship; Missing Air Crew Report 5021. LADY STARDUST II.
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: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: waist gunner, toggelier, B-17
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron 728th Bomb Squadron 731st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: T-61908
- Highest Rank: Flight Officer
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) Over Water (OW) |
Thames Estuary | 12 May 1944 |
Revisions
MSgt Merle D. Eastman, eldest son of co-pilot Harold Eastman Jr.
MSgt Merle D. Eastman, eldest son of Harold Eastman Jr.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5021 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
