John A Dougherty

Military
John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb Group sits atop a B-17 Flying Fortress. Another Fortress (serial number 42-107054) nicknamed "Vat 69" is visible in the background. Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on the reverse: 'John A Daugherty- Radio man. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG. In background B-17G-35-DL "Vat 69". Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: '7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken media-380093.jpg FRE 1338 John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb Group sits atop a B-17 Flying Fortress. Another Fortress (serial number 42-107054) nicknamed "Vat 69" is visible in the background. Image via Tim Bivens.

Bivens has handwritten on the reverse: 'John A Daugherty- Radio man. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG. In background B-17G-35-DL "Vat 69".

Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: '7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. As noted, he was KIA flying a Mossie after his 385th BG tour. He shared some of the slides with crew members, my copies coming from the gunner Julius King. All this said, not B-17 G in the background of photo no 1. I found info on it in two different books both showing its assignment to the 398th BG! This photo clearly shows it in the 385th. It’s also listed as being named “Vat 69”. ... They later were shot down while flying 43-38156. If you have any info on 42-107054, let me know…..’ Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 1338 - John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb Group sits atop a B-17 Flying Fortress. Another Fortress (serial number 42-107054) nicknamed "Vat...

John Dougherty served as a radio operator with the 550th Bomb Squadron of the 385th Bomb Group, flying missions out of Great Ashfield, England.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

Bob James- co-pilot, Fred Heiser- pilot and John Hill- navigator, all of the 385th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Tim Bivens. Biven's has handwritten on reverse: 'L to R: Bob James- Copilot (later KIA in USAAF Mosquito), Fred Heiser- Pilot, John Hill- Navigator, 550th BS, 385th BG, 1944. Note 550th BS patch on A-2's.'

Fred Heiser

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A

42-32059

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Poltergeist, Vagabond
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Places

Revisions

Date
ContributorDBAYER
Changes
Sources

Michelle Dougherty - Granddaughter

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

http://www.385thbga.com/records/database/

John A Dougherty: Gallery (2 items)

John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb Group sits atop a B-17 Flying Fortress. Another Fortress (serial number 42-107054) nicknamed "Vat 69" is visible in the background. Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on the reverse: 'John A Daugherty- Radio man. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG. In background B-17G-35-DL "Vat 69". Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: '7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken

Object number: FRE 1338 - John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb...

Fred Heiser, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group , and his crew sit atop the wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: 'Heiser Crew 550th BS, 385th BG 1944. L to R- Fred Heiser-P, Tony Ardzinski- TG, "Slug" Schultheis- WG (right), Geo Salvador- BTG, John Hill- N, Carl Hanson- Eng T/T Gunner, Bob James- CP, John Daugherty- ROMG, Julius King- WG (left). Posing on B17G "Poltergeist" 42-32059.'

Object number: FRE 1340 - Fred Heiser, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group , and...