42-97946 Hard T' Get
Delivered Denver 12/4/44; Cheyenne 1/5/44; Kearney 16/5/44; Dow Fd 2/6/44; Assigned 368BS/306BG [BO- ] Thurleigh 14/6/44; Missing in Action Gelsenkirchen 26/8/44 with Dean Allen, Waist gunner: Dick Huebotter, Tail gunner: Jim Carey (3 Prisoner of War); co-Chas Rapp, Navigator: Chas Evans, Bombardier: Mike Vlahos, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harvey Purkey, Radio Operator: Bob Newbigle, Ball turret gunner: Gene LeVeque (6 Killed in Action); flak knocked off wing tip, crashed Budberg, near Jagergitternetz, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 8464. HARD T’ GET.
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: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-759675
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19076562
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13087300 / O-716290
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19129898
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39135725
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
Places
![A bomber crew of the 306th Bomb Group wave to Picture Post Girls in front of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24471) nicknamed "Four of a Kind" at Thurleigh in December 1942. Image stamped on reverse: '"Picture Post" [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 11 Dec 1942.' [stamp], '238038.' [Censor no.] Handwritten in censor's blue pencil on reverse: 'American Flying Fortress crew are introduced to the girls they will meet at Picture Post Xmas Party.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379028.jpg.webp?itok=6Gc6iR0j)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Bedford
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Delivered |
Denver AAF, CO | 12 April 1944 | Delivered Denver 12-Apr-44. |
|
Assigned |
Thurleigh, UK | 14 June 1944 | Assigned 368BS, 306BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
Budberg, Germany | 26 August 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) Gelsenkirchen with Dean Allen crew. Crashed at Budberg. 3 x POW, 6 x KIA MACR 8464 |