Delivered Dallas 11/7/44; Langley 4/8/44; Dow Fd 12/9/44; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-Q] Bassingbourn 4/10/44. Missing in Action Merseburg 2 November 1944 with Pilot Captain Roy A. Hammer; Co-Pilot Oron E. Harper; Navigator Michael (Raphael ?) Czepkiewicz; Bombardier Modesto Olivo; Top Turret Gunner William Nagy; Right Waist Gunner Mike Duran; Tail Gunner Oliver K. Birch; Radar Navigator Joseph A. Young (8 Prisoner of War). Emile G. Freeman (Killed in Action). About 4 minutes after bombs away, 44-8208 was hit by enemy aircraft fire and a fire developed behind n°3 engine. The pilot gave the order to bail out. Three parachutes were seen before the ship made a slow turn to the left and was under perfect control. Later it was observed that the radio room was on fire and six more men were seen to evacuate the B-17.

There is some confusion about the crash location. MACR 10143 mentions "Crashed between 2km SW of Micheln and Trebbichau an der Fuhne (6km N of Koethen)." This points to a place called Zabitz, which is 2km SW of Micheln. The German document KU-3247 which has names from the 44-8208 crew as well as others, has “crashed between Wedlitz and Wispitz, 8km North of Bernburg"… The confusion is probably due to the fact that the crews of 44-8208 and 42-97563 were both shot down in the same area at the same day and time. The more so, there was a Harper on both planes : T/Sgt Claude E. Harper – 36741658 on board 42-97984 and Oron Harper on 44-8208… It is more likely 44-8208 crashed southwest of Micheln than near Wedlitz, more to the North… Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 10143. "MY BABY II".