44-6190

Delivered Tulsa 27/5/44; Hunter 23/6/44; Dow Fd 1/7/44; Assigned 773BS/463BG Celone 3/7/44; Missing in Action Blechhammer 10/12/44 with George Freschi, Co-pilot: Emil Improta, Navigator: Gene Foster, Bombardier: Bill Cleary, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Wilbur Shallenberger, Radio Operator: Joe Testagrossa, Ball turret gunner: Harold Chandler, Waist gunner: Dick Seares, Waist gunner: Don Alyea, Tail gunner: Steve Manzuk (10 Killed in Action); flak hits, crashed ?; Missing Air Crew Report 10689.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-5287) of the 463rd Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in flight with open bomb bay doors. Handwritten caption on reverse: '463 BG Gills.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 463rd Bomb Group 773rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35896241
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 463rd Bomb Group 773rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13900600
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 463rd Bomb Group 773rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-722469
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 463rd Bomb Group 773rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16122720 / O-2058452
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 463rd Bomb Group 773rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12176628 / O-826906
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-5287) of the 463rd Bomb Group, 15th Air Force in flight with open bomb bay doors. Handwritten caption on reverse: '463 BG Gills.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Foggia Satellite #1, San Nicola-d'Arpi

Events

Event Location Date Description

Delivered

Tulsa AAF, OK 27 May 1944 Delivered Tulsa AAF 27-May-44.

Assigned

Celone Airport, Foggia, Italy 3 July 1944 Assigned 773BS, 463BG, 15AF USAAF.

Crashed

Adriatic Sea 10 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Blechhammer 10-Dec-44 Hit by flak crashed Adriatic Sea 10 x (KIA) MACR 10689

Manufactured

Long Beach, CA Built at Douglas.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid readability.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log