FRE 4886
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A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG. I research the B-17F they were shot down in, “Black Ghost”, which was coded SO*S. The enclosed crew photo shows them by the right side of this Fort, but the codes read S*OS. I’ve never noticed codes arranged this way, probably should have been S*SO don’t you think? ' This image was taken after a mission on 28 June 1943. Back Row: William Eudey (N), *James Ray Martin-Vegue (N), *Robert E. Langlois (TG), Ralph R. Pulcipher (CP), Col Budd J. Peaslee (P, Group Commander), Paul S. Givens (B). Front Row: Asbury Lee Perkins (R), Willard D. Mclain (BT), Judson L. Dacus (Eng/TT), Thomas E. Furrey (WG), Joe M. Hawkins (WG). Langlois, a pilot, was assigned the tail gun position to serve as formation observer.
Connections
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Units

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

- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 14078782
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735980
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13043315
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35328989
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-729432
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
Aircraft
![A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp].](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413575.jpg.webp?itok=uFVxDeZj)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Black Ghost
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
Locations

- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
Mission
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x1/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=_5nSvoRL)
- Date: 28 June 1943