FRE 10442
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Brigadier-General Anderson meets a bomber crew of the 305th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress (WF-F) after a raid on Heliogland. Passed for publication 26 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'One Air Ship, One Trip: Two DSC's, 8 Silver Stars And Seven Purple Hearts. Members of the crew of the Flying Fortress "Old Bill" have scored highest total of decorations to be awarded for one action. They reached their target and brought the plane back to base although the Navigator was killed and many others wounded. They continued to fight and fly until they landed on its home field without brakes, without flaps, with one engine shot out, the nose blown off, the hydraulic system shot out, the oxygen system gone and the top turret smashed. The crew was decorated with 2 DSC's, 8 Silver Stars and Seven Purple Hearts. Keystone Photo Shows:- Brig. Gen. Anderson shaking... William D Whitson and the crew. U.S. Pool/F. Keystone/SG.' Censor no: 276317. On reverse: US Army Press Censor ETO and US Army General Section Press & Censorship Bureau [Stamps]. Crew: Pilot Capt William D Whitson, Co-pilot: 2Lt Harold Holt, Bombardier 2Lt Bob Barrall (wia), Navigator 2Lt Doug Venable (Killed in Action), Radio Operator T/Sgt Fred Bewak(wia), Flight engineer T/Sgt Albert Haymon (wia), Ball turret gunner: Sgt Edgar Nichols, Waist gunner: Sgt Homer Ramsey, Waist gunner: Sgt John Breen, Tail gunner: Sgt Ken Meyer, photo-Sgt George Friend.
Connections
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Units

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

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13031062 / O-660322
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11041018
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 422nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Revisions
Roger Freeman Photo.
Associated crew from 42-29673 entry details, 8 of the 11 men are featured on this photo.