Jack W Watson
MilitaryOn the big raid of Jan 11, 1944, known as 'Black Tuesday' Lt. Watson's plane was badly shot up and on fire. He ordered the crew to bail out while still over land. After they got out he discovered that he was now over water and decided to try and get the plane back to base. He made it to a fighter group base, Metfield, and did a perfect landing. The ground crew was amazed to see only 1 person get out. After putting the fire out they found an unexploded 20mm shell behind Watson's seat. This is the same man who 'buzzed' the World Series game in New York in 1943. ! B-17F #42-29524 'Meathound'. RTD
Connections
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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
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16057777
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Aerial Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17128077
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-679128
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commanding Officer
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Meat Hound
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 11 January 1944
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Indianapolis, Indiana |
Revisions
Changed the label for a Died event to “Killed in Action (KIA)” per info in the "Summary biography".
Updated Highest Rank and Added S/N per MACR 4269 at Fold3.com.
Source: https://www.fold3.com/image/28626997
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Chronology Supplement, 8th AF Losses