42-31878 Spamcan

Delivered Cheyenne 30/12/43; Kearney 18/1/44. Assigned 535BS/381BG [MS-Z] Ridgewell 20/2/44. Missing in Action 5+m Berlin 24/5/44 with Walt Higgins, Radio Operator: Ed Delgado, Ball turret gunner: Bob Thomson, Waist gunner: Don Thomas, Waist gunner: Franklin Collister, Tail gunner: Bob Smith (6 Killed in Action). Co-pilot: Herb Burns, Navigator: Jim Beck, Bombardier: Bob Hughes, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Baird (4 Prisoner of War).

FW 190 attacked and pieces immediately flew off bomber, followed by explosion north of Berlin, crashing near Niendorf and Polchow, five miles S of Rostock, Ger. MACR 5177. SPAMCAN.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

John S Baird

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15330438
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

James A Beck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-753126
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Herbert W Burns

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-755276
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Franklin R Collister

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12208378
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Eddie Delgado

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39266163
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
Source: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-30-bo-42-31732-4…

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log