43-37865
Object Number - UPL 41454 - Crash site memorial in Perigny, France tribute to the crew of the Varga Venus
Delivered Cheyenne 30/5/44; Hunter 9/6/44; Dow Fd 30/6/44. Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-P] Thorpe Abbotts 10/7/44. Missing in Action on the mission to Saint-Sylvain (Calvados) 8 August 1944. Pilot : John P. Keys; Co-pilot: Elvin W. Samuelson; Navigator: Patrick H. Lollis; Bombardier: Elton Dickens; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry D. Park; Radio Operator: Frank O. Thomas; Ball turret gunner: Peter P. Martin; Tail gunner: Donald V. Rieger (8 Killed in Action); Waist gunner: Gilbert A. Borba (Prisoner of War). 1½ minute before bombs away, at an altitude of about 11,000 feet, a Flak burst put out engine 2, and another one cut off the tail assembly. The plane nosed down out of formation and exploded near the ground. Pieces of it were strewn over many places near Périgny, NE of Vire, France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 8073.
Connections
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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: 3rd Bomb Division 13th Combat Bomb Wing 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39123538
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 8 August 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 8 August 1944 | Hit by Flak near the target, the plane lost altitude and exploded above the area near Périgny, Calvados, France. 8 KIA, 1 POW. |
Revisions
Info corrected
Info correction
AAM associated image.
Family held documents
MACR 8073
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8073 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
