42-31606 Belle of the Brawl
BACK L-R: Robert Kilmer (CP), John Barkley (N), Donald Ogilvie (P), William Wilson (B).
FRONT L-R: Francis Sylvia (FG), Emmett Hood (TT), Louis Ratkiewicz (TG), William Martin (FG), James Murray (RO), James McKeon (BT)
Delivered Cheyenne 27/11/43; Gr Island 10/12/43; Bangor 14/12/43; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-O] Grafton Underwood 6/1/44, 544BS [SU-U]; Missing in Action Bonn 4 March 1944 with Hollie R. Lovvorn, Navigator: John T. Kazmerski, Bombardier: Charles T. Fleenor, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Gerald E. Wilson, Radio Operator: James C. Schwartz, Ball turret gunner: Robert L. Miller, Tail gunner: Homer W. Taylor (7 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: Francis J. Witt Jr ret UK 18/5/44, Waist gunner: Kenneth Leach, Waist gunner: Severino J. Fernandez both via Spain 1/6/44 (3 evaded capture); flak, crashed Hangest-sur-Somme, 11 miles NW of Amiens, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 2739.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
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: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 33264020
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735966
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-746873
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-750198
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Missions
- Date: 4 March 1944
- Date: 3 March 1944
- Date: 2 March 1944
- Date: 28 February 1944
- Date: 20 February 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed To Return |
4 March 1944 | crashed near Hangest-sur-Somme, France |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname mentioned in several crew members "Summary bios".
Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 2739 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database