Lester Birnbaum

Military

Bailed out of B-17 #42-5086 'Wahoo II'over England on return from mission to Munster railroad yards on 10 October 1943.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 306th Bomb Group fly in formation over another B-17 (WW-J, serial number 42-5086) during a medal ceremony for Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith. Passed for publication 16 Jul 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'Highest American Award For U.S. Air Gunner. 15.7.43. Col. Henry L. Stimson, U.S. Secretary of War to-day presented the Congressional Medal of Honour - America's highest award - equivalent to Britain's V.C. to Staff Sergeant Maynard Smith, for his bravery during a raid on St.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wahoo II
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
Added a connection to A/C #42-5086 listed in the "Summary biography".

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Memories of the 384th Bombardment Group (H), Vol. 1; p. 42., Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 327, http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…