David Claire Blodgett

Military
media-17754.png UPL 17754 Mention in MACR 4162 about the circumstances of the bailing out of Sgts David C. Blodgett, Carl J. Eckhart and Frank G. Scorsune. All three were subsequently made prisoner. The pilot, Lt Frank A. Bartos flew the plane back to England.

MACR 4162

Object Number - UPL 17754 - Mention in MACR 4162 about the circumstances of the bailing out of Sgts David C. Blodgett, Carl J. Eckhart and Frank G. Scorsune. All three were...

David C. Blodgett grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended Franklin High School there and enlisted in the Air Corps in October 1942. In February 1944, he was stationed with the 305th Bomb Group in Ardmore, Oklahoma as an instructor in aerial engineering. He left shortly afterward to Europe and England, being assigned to the 410th Bomb Squadron in the 94th Bomb Group.

David Blodgett was Left Waist Gunner on B-17G #42-102457 'Filthy Hag" when it was hit by Flak at an altitude of 23,000 feet on the 22 April 1944 mission to Hamm, Germany. It caught fire, 2 engines on the same side were knocked out and the communications system destroyed. David Blodgett, Right Waist Gunner Frank G. Scorsune and Radio Operator Carl J. Eckhart bailed out of the burning plane. The aircraft was flown back to England by the pilot, Lt Frank A. Bartos and the three men were made prisoner. All three were interned at Stalag XVIIB in Braunau/Gneikendorf, near Krems, Austria. Liberated from Stalag XVIIB on 2 May 1945, David was back on furlough to Cedar Rapids on 13 June. He re-enlisted, as a T/Sgt in the Air Corps, on 2 November 1945 at the Great Plains Bombing Range, Sub Base of Will Rogers Field, Oklahoma.

Connections

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Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32630492
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34150775
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

A B-17G Flying Fortress (GL-R, serial number 42-102457) of the 410th Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, is inside a hangar at Bury St. Edmunds (Rougham). Official caption on image: "900 (44) WPU. 4-27-44. Rougham. B17-G. 42-102457. FA-FSAD." Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '94th Bomb Group, [damaged, 4th?] Combat Wing, 3rd Air Div.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Filthy Hag aka Gloria
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 410th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-29155) nicknamed "Picadilly Commando" of the 446th Bomb Group. First handwritten caption on reverse: '446BG B/24 leaving Ruhr on its way home 22 April 1944.' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '22/4/44, 21,000 Ft. Hamm, smoke screen in distance.'
  • Date: 22 April 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Iowa, United States 24 June 1924 the son of John C. and Catherine L. Blodgett

Enlisted

27 October 1942

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Braunau/Gneikendorf, near Krems, Austria 22 April 1944 - 2 May 1945 Bailed out of plane with 2 other crew members; pilot brought aircraft back to England. Captured, was interned at Stalag Luft 17B/XVIIB in Braunau/Gneikendorf, near Krems, Austria. Liberated by US troops on 2 May 1945. NARA WWII POW records :" Returned to Military control 24/05/1945."

Died

Iowa, United States 1 April 1979

Born

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Capitalized the words in the "Role/job" field to aid readability.

Added a "-" to the A/C tail # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 4259

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 4162
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces vol 3 pg 646

David Claire Blodgett: Gallery (1 items)