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

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.

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.

42-5086

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wahoo II
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group The Reich Wreckers 369th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date19 Mar 2020 19:59:59
Contributorjmoore43
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".

Date27 Sep 2014 18:18:45
ContributorAAM
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=…