42-31511 Fools Luck III

media-41696.jpeg UPL 41696 The first crew of the 401st Bomb Group to return to the home base in England after a raid on Berlin, Germany, pose beside their plane - the Boeing B-17 'Fool's Luck'. They are, (Left To Right) Back Row: F/Sgt. Jesse H. Lehr, Radio Operator, S/Sgt. Pete D. Henderson waist gunner, 1Lt Donald M Anderson Bombardier, Capt Jere Maupin co-pilot, Capt James J Goodman pilot, 1Lt Robert J Ramsey tail gunner. Front Row: T/Sgt John O Farmer ball turret gunner, S/Sgt Burton A Markle waist gunner, T/Sgt Foster E Dewees top turret gunner and 2Lt Frank P Fraoli navigator. 6th March 1944.

Object Number - UPL 41696 - The first crew of the 401st Bomb Group to return to the home base in England after a raid on Berlin, Germany, pose beside their plane - the Boeing...

Delivered Denver 16/11/43; Kearney 3/12/43; Presque Is 9/12/43; Assigned 612BS/401BG [SC-D] Deenethorpe 1/1/44; Missing in Action Evere A/fd 10/4/44 with Gaston Fox, Co-pilot: Francis Hoad, Navigator: Darrel Wilson, Bombardier: Leon Mendelson, Ball turret gunner: Don Van Booven, Waist gunner: Chas Sierra (6 Prisoner of War); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Allen Brown, Radio Operator: Duane Brandt, Waist gunner: Joe Gallas, Tail gunner: Cecil Estess (4 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, ditched Channel, three miles W of Calais, Fr; Missing Air Crew Report 3939. FOOLS LUCK III.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33068238 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32492715
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 612th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12086900 / O-749917
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16111816
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 401st Bomb Group 613th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-803692
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Denver AAF, CO 16 November 1943 Delivered Denver AAF 16-Nov-43.

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

3 miles W of Calais 10 April 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Evere Airfield 10-Apr-44 with Fox crew; downed by enemy aircraft, ditched, three miles W of Calais, France; 6 x POW, 4 x KIA MACR 3939

Assigned

Deenethorpe, UK Assigned 612BS, 401BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the nickname mentioned in the A/C “Description”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 3939 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31511: Gallery (11 items)