Joseph W Lukens

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Joseph Lukens served as a bombardier with the 367th Bomb Squadron of the 306th Bomb Group, flying missions out of Thurleigh, England. 

On 28-Jul-43, Lukens was flying in B-17 42-3076 when it suffered severe flak damage on a mission to Kassel. Lieutenant Thomas and crew were forced to crash-landed at RAF Hawkinge, Kent. The aircraft burnt but the crew were safe and returned to duty. 

On 10-Aug-43, Lukens was involved in another crash-landing. He was flying in B-17 42-37759, which crashed on its return from a mission to Poland. All of the crew survived. 

On 14-Oct-43, Lukens and his crew took part in the day's mission to Schweinfurt. He was in Killed in Action (KIA) when his B-17 4230727 was hit by flak that knocked out two engines and enemy fighters riddled the tail. He is buried in Lorraine American Cemetery.

 

Awards: AM (OLC), PH.

Connections

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Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14078966 / O-793717
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-30727
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Fightin Bitin
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 367th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Trenton, New Jersey 17 January 1942 EnlistedTrenton, New Jersey

Died

Killed in Action (KIA)

Mannheim, Germany 14 October 1943 Killed in Action (KIA)Mannheim, Germany

Buried

Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial Saint-Avold, France 1 January 1946 Lorraine American Cemetery and MemorialSaint-Avold, FrancePlot K Row 13 Grave 9

Born

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 817 / MACR 817, Losses of the 8th & 9th AF Vol. I by Bishop & Hey pp. 203, 334, 320 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / http://www.306bg.org/crewphotos/Crew%20Pictures%20Adam-Rector/Crew%20Pi…