42-5086 Wahoo II

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith. Passed for publication 16 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Highest American Award For U.S. Air Gunner. 15.7.43. Col. Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War to-day presented the Congressional Medal of Honour - America's highest award - equivalent to Britain's V.C. to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, for his bravery during a raid on St. media-407808.jpg FRE 4391 B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith. Passed for publication 16 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Highest American Award For U.S. Air Gunner. 15.7.43. Col. Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War to-day presented the Congressional Medal of Honour - America's highest award - equivalent to Britain's V.C. to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, for his bravery during a raid on St. Nazaire in France. Smith is the second man in the European Theatre of Operations to receive this award in World War II and the first to live to receive it. The presentation took place at a station "somewhere in England". The picture shows:- A formation of Flying Fortresses fly past in salute as Col. Henry Stimson presents the award which took place in front of a Flying Fortress.' On reverse: Central Press Photos Ltd, US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 4391 - B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff...

Delivered Tulsa 17/9/42; Presque Is 17/11/42; Assigned 369BS/306BG [WW-J] Thurleigh 25/11/42; transferred 546BS/384BG [BK-B] Grafton Underwood 5/9/43; battle damaged Munster 10/10/43 with Bill Wilson, Co-pilot: Carlos Rabby, Navigator: Bob Belk, Bombardier: Rich Crown, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Lerster Birnbaum, Radio Operator: Jim Compton, Ball turret gunner: David Heintzelman, Waist gunner: Murray Stamm, Waist gunner: F.O. Miller, Tail gunner: Frank Greene (10 Returned to Duty), crash landed on bank of River Dove, Eye, Sfk, crew bailed over Ipswich; Salvaged. WAHOO II.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.

306th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.

384th Bomb Group

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

People

Robert K Belk

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-736681
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Lester Birnbaum

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
The insignia of the 546th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

James Harold Compton

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in two rows in front of a military airplane. Five men standing to the rear and five men sitting in front on top of flying gear.

Richard K Crown

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron Headquarters (384th Bomb Group)
  • Service Numbers: O-670023
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Group Bombardier

Frank P Greene

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/One384thAircraft.php?Aircraf…

Date
Contributoracbernstein1
Changes
Sources

https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/One384thAircraft.php?Aircraf…

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a unit connection to the 8th AF.
Added connections to the 369th BS & 306th BG mentioned in A/C description.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-5086: Gallery (1 items)

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith. Passed for publication 16 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Highest American Award For U.S. Air Gunner. 15.7.43. Col. Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War to-day presented the Congressional Medal of Honour - America's highest award - equivalent to Britain's V.C. to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, for his bravery during a raid on St.

Object number: FRE 4391 - B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly...