42-5849 Hell's Belles II
Back, left-to-right: William Boomhower, Bombardier; Donald Irwin, Navigator; Richard McCray, Co-Pilot; George Riches, Pilot; Bernard Anderson, Engineer. Front, left-to-right: Ralph Lavoie, Ball Turret; Freeman Penney, Radio; Stan Martin, Tail Gunner; Guy Smith, Right Waist; William Waller, Left Waist.
Object Number - UPL 65049 - Riches Crew, 545th Bomb Squad, 384th Bomb Group. Crashed 25 June 1943, 42-30143, Mission No. 67. Back, left-to-right: William Boomhower,...
Delivered Long Beach 20/3/43; Sioux City 13/4/43; Kearney 3/5/43; Dow Fd 20/3/43; Assigned 547BS/384BG [SO-N] Grafton Underwood 24/5/43; Missing in Action Nantes 16/9/43 with John Butler, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Howard Turlington (2 evaded capture); Co-pilot: Herman Wollenweber, Navigator: Ed Knowling, Bombardier: Burnia Martin, Radio Operator: Preston Davis, Tail gunner: Clarry Barnes (5 Prisoner of War); Ball turret gunner: Herb May, Waist gunner: Marion Rogers, Waist gunner: Walt Sword (3 Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Rennes, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 722. HELL'S BELLES II.
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 546th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14062755 | O-668177
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- 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 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 6277281
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735170
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot : Bombardier
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Missions
- Date: 16 September 1943
- Date: 9 September 1943
- Date: 7 September 1943
- Official Description:
![A B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Kicking Horse" of the 303rd Bomb Group takes off with a feathered engine. Handwritten caption on reverse: ''Kicking Horse' of 303BG. Received 7/7/1944.' On reverse: Daily Graphic [Stamp, ref. no. M4226L].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-407628.jpg.webp?itok=SpfDIv0I)
- Date: 6 September 1943
- Date: 16 August 1943
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 16 September 1943 - 16 September 1943 |
Revisions
Added the A/C nickname listed in the A/C “Description” section.
Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 722 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
