43-34440
Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. 15 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. Starboard engine and wing set on fire and hydraulics shot out by fighters, bail out bell rung but did not work, co pilot crawled through blazing bomb bay to warn crew in rear, then he and three other crew bailed out of rear, the selfless pilot crashing to his death along with the Bomb/Nav last seen battling the inferno in the bomb bay with a CO2 extinguisher. Crashed 10 miles NW Bitburg, Germany. 4 x POW, 2 x KIA. MACR 11486.
Crew: Pilot 2Lt Donald N Sharp KIA [CA], Co 2Lt Raymond E Hedstrom [MO], Nomb/Nav 2Lt William D Hawkinson KIA [IL], Radio T/Sgt Edward H Von Castelberg [NY], Eng/Gunner S/Sgt Glynn T Gilbert [TX], Arm/Gunner Sgt Glenn E Doyal [GA].
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16122115 / O-704289
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bomb / Nav
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Service Numbers: O-714079
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 391st Bomb Group 575th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19098258 / O-686499
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Matching Green
Missions
- Date: 23 December 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Crashed Failed to Return (FTR) |
NW of Bitburg, Germany | 23 December 1944 - 23 December 1944 | Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to Ahrweiler, Germany. Starboard engine and wing set on fire and hydraulics shot out by fighters. Crashed 10 miles NW Bitburg, Germany. 4 x POW, 2 x KIA. MACR 11486. |
|
Manufactured |
Offutt AFB, NE, USA | Built at Martin. | |
|
Delivered |
Nebraska, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Assigned |
Matching, Harlow CM17, UK | Assigned to 575BS, 391BG, 9AF USAAF. |