42-31917 Off Spring

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31917) nicknamed "Off Spring" of the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '551BS/385BG. 231917. B-17 Flying Fortress, 6736. 2 of 6 pics.' media-413664.jpg FRE 4980 A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31917) nicknamed "Off Spring" of the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '551BS/385BG. 231917. B-17 Flying Fortress, 6736. 2 of 6 pics.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4980 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-31917) nicknamed "Off Spring" of the 551st Bomb Squadron, 385th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse:...

Delivered Cheyenne 4/1/44; Kearney 13/1/44; Grenier 26/1/44; Assigned 551BS/385BG [SG-S] Gt Ashfield 2/2/44; Missing in Action Munich 12/7/44 with Capt Rich White, Co-pilot: Clarry Gittins, Navigator: Jim Johnston, Bombardier: Pat Flanagan, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Marvin Nieman, Radio Operator: Harry Fitzwater, Ball turret gunner: Homer Comegys, Waist gunner: Sam Canter, Waist gunner: Bill Lord (9 Killed in Action);Tail gunner: Bob McPherson (Prisoner of War); mid air coll with 42-102606 (385BG), both broke up and crashed Perl, Luxemberg. Missing Air Crew Report 7507. OFF SPRING was originally named for the newborn son of one time pilot Duane (Pappy) Pangle.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

Samuel L Canter

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Rex M Cantrell

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Homer C Comegys

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17067450
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Onner Duncan Davis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 549th Bomb Squadron 551st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20532820 / O-48735
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

William A Fife

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-693026
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Aircraft

42-102606

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Curley's Kids
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

France 12 July 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorRickDavis
ChangesChanges to description and person associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date
ContributorRickDavis
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date
ContributorRickDavis
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date
ContributorRickDavis
ChangesChanges to media associations
Sources

[email protected]

Date
Contributorjmchristel
ChangesChanges to nicknames
Sources

Added nickname

Date
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 7507 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31917: Gallery (3 items)