Homer T Perkins
Military
STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: Cpt. Ross C. Bales (pilot), 1Lt. Walter E. Dooley (Co-pilot), 2Lt. Paul M. Thomas (Navigator), 2Lt Carlton Browning (Navigator), KNEELING LEFT TO RIGHT: SGT. Homer T. Perkins (Waist Gunner), T/SGT. Raymond K. Winter Jr. (engineer), SGT. Jack D. Snell (Tail Gunner) S/SGT. Raymond H. Kilgore (Radio), S/SGT Joseph G. Zsampar (Ball Turret Gunner). MACR 15593
Object Number - UPL 50533 - FDR's Potato Peeler Kids, 303rd Bg. KIA 14 May 1943 (except 2Lt. Browning who was KIA 31 March 1943) STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: Cpt. Ross C. Bales...
28-Feb-42 Assigned as Engineer/Gunner on B-17F #41-24565 [BN-P] "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS at Pendleton Field, Pendleton, Oregon. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK on B-17F #41-24565.
Mission pariticpation (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) See Biography events
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
![Corporal Murray S. Pearl, of the 303rd Bomb Group, with a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24565) nicknamed "Idaho Potato Peeler". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Copyright Current Affairs Ltd.’ [stamp], ‘Passed for Publication 28 Jan 1943. [stamp] and ‘245656.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'Cpl. Murray S. Pearl, serving with the U.S.A.A.F in a bomber squadron, appreciates the heavy fur-lined jerkin issued to him, for, in private life, he was a fur manufacturer at 222 West 28th Stre](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-378885.jpg.webp?itok=m0UvJZd-)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The Ramblin' Wreck : Idaho Potato Peeler
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: The 8 Ball
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Knock-out Dropper
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Holy Mackerel
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: FDR's Potato Peeler Kids
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 26 February 1943
- Date: 14 February 1943
- Date: 4 February 1943
![The crew of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23778) nicknamed "Jenny", of the 44th Bomb Group, return to Shipdham following a raid on Germany, 29 January 1943.
The insignia attached to the breast of several crew members jackets has been censored.
Image stamped on reverse: 'Barratt's Photo Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 29 Jan 1943.' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'First American raid on Germany. Flying Fortresses and Liberators of the U.S. Army Air Corps Carried out their first r](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379072.jpg.webp?itok=arU0mR30)
- Date: 27 January 1943
- Date: 23 January 1943
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Assigned to Aircraft |
Pendleton, OR 97801, USA | 28 February 1942 | Assigned as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potatoe Peeler", 303BG/359BS at Pendleton Field, Pendelton, Oregon. |
|
Other Arrived in UK |
Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK | 25 October 1942 | Arrived at Molesworth UK on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler", 303BG/359BS. |
|
Other Mission #1 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24565, 303BG/359BS - Aborted. |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 17 November 1942 | Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France, but mecahnical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #2 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24565, 303BG/359BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 18 November 1942 | Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #3 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24581, 303BG/359BS |
Lorient, France | 22 November 1942 | Served as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on B-17F 41-24581 "The '8' Ball", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #4 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24581, 303BG/359BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 23 November 1942 | Served as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on B-17F 41-24581 "The '8' Ball", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #5 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24565, 303BG/359BS |
Romilly-sur-Seine, France | 20 December 1942 | Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #6 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24609, 303BG/359BS - Aborted |
Lorient, France | 30 December 1942 | Served as Nose Gunner on B-17F 41-24609 "Holy Mackerel", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France, but mechnical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #7 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24605, 303BG/359BS - Aborted |
Saint-Nazaire, France | 3 January 1943 | Served as Nose Gunner on B-17F 41-24605 "Knock-out Dropper", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #8 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24565, 303BG/359BS |
Lille, France | 13 January 1943 | Served as Left Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #9 SSGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24565, 303BG/359BS |
Lorient, France | 23 January 1943 | Served as Left Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24565 "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK |
|
Other Promoted in Rank |
Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK | 25 January 1943 | Promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. |
|
Other Mission #10 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 41-24609, 303BG/359BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 27 January 1943 | Served as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner on B-17F 41-24609 "Holy Mackerel", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the naval facilities and U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven Germany. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #11 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 42-5243, 303BG/359BS - Aborted |
Osnabrück, Germany | 4 February 1943 | Served as Left Waist Gunner on B-17F 42-5243 "FDR's Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the industrial areas of Osnabruck, Germany, but mechancial failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #12 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 42-5243, 303BG/359BS - Recalled |
Hamm, Germany | 14 February 1943 | Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 42-5243 "FDR's Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marsahlling yards at Hamm Germany. Severe cold and weather forced Wing Command to recall the entire 303BG formation. RTB OK. |
|
Other Mission #13 SGT Homer T. Perkins, w/B-17F 42-5243, 303BG/359BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany | 26 February 1943 | Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 42-5243 "FDR's Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS on a mission to bomb the port area an U-boat pens at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK. |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" for clarity.
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016 Added Mission #13 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 26-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016 Added Mission #12 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 14-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016 Added Mission #11 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 4-Feb-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/014.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016. Added Promoted in Rank event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016 Added Mission #10 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 27-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/012.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 15-Mar-2016. Made connections to Aircraft 42-5243 and Missions of 27-Jan-43, 4-Feb-43, 14-Feb-43 and 26-Feb-43 pere 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Reports of dates stated:http://www.303rdbg.com/
Lee Cunningham 20-Dec-2015. Made Mission connections per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian.
Lee Cunningham 20-Dec-2015. Added Mission #9 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 23-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 20-Dec-2015. Added Mission #8 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 3-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf.
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 3-Jan-43: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/009.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 30-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/008.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added connections to 41-24605, 41-24609, 41-24581 per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #5 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 20-Dec-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/007.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #4 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 23-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/004.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #3 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 22-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/003.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #2 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 7-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/002.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Mission #1 event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Mission Report of 7-Nov-42: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Arrived in UK event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ross C. Bales crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-359-bales.html
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Assigned to Aircraft event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, Ross C. Bales crew page: http://www.303rdbg.com/c-359-bales.html
Lee Cunningham 14-Dec-2015. Added Summary Biography; made connections to Aircraft, Place and Missions through 20-Dec-42 per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, http://www.303rdbg.com/
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://303rdbg.com/rost-nopq.html#N
