43-38102 Flak Magnet

Delivered Cheyenne 26/6/44; Hunter 13/7/44; Grenier 23/7/44; Assigned 366BS/305BG Chelveston 6/8/44; Missing in Action Chemnitz 2/3/45 with John H. Gordon, Jr. (Killed in Action); Henry Newman, Matt Buttiglieri, Jim Harris, Jim Simmons, Byron Crun, Peter Peck, Edgar Harrison, Paul Bosworth (8 Prisoner of War); flak, crashed Trier, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 12852.

Mission 859, did not return. Developed oil leak and had to turn back. Lost two engines and tried to make it to France. Auto-pilot was shot out and pilot John H. Gordon, Jr. ordered everyone off the ship as he held the plane steady. The crew bailed out at somewhere between 300 and 1500 feet. 2nd Lt. Gordon was unable to leave the controls and lost his life that day. The crew were all captured and became prisoners of war. The war ended approximately 2 months later.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.

305th Bomb Group

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

People

Paul H Bosworth

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Matthew W Buttiglieri

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Byron E Crum

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

John H Gordon

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

James W Harris

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 366th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 2 March 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorSTCrum
Changes
Sources

Stories heard at 305th BG reunions.

Date
ContributorJLGordon
Changes
Sources

As nephew of 2nd Lt. John H. Gordon, Jr., I have read newspaper articles, listened to the stories passed down to my father, and spoken with co-pilot Henry D. Newman concerning the details of that flight. I have also read a 2 hour interview given by waist gunner Paul Bosworth who was also on that ship.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 12852 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database