Merlin Howard Reed

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-55747.jpeg UPL 55747 Merlin Howard Reed

Removed associations which are not depicted in the image. associations made in his person record.

Object Number - UPL 55747 - Merlin Howard Reed

Assigned to the 546th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #121 dated 18 October 1943.  Bombs from the 'High Group' knocked the tail section off B-17G #42-37781 'Silver Dollar' and crashed near Osdorf on a mission to Berlin on 9 Mar 1944. Killed in Action (KIA)/Missing in Action (MIA). MACR 3005

Connections

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Units served with

People

A B-17 Flying Fortress (BK-H, serial number 42-37781) nicknamed "Silver Dollar" of the 546th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group goes down after losing its tail. Image via Havelaar. Printed caption on reverse: 'Silver Dollar, a Flying Fortress operating from Grafton Underwood, has its complete tail severed during one of the first 8th Air Force raids on Berlin.' Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Berlin missile, BK-H, Fort goes down.'
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19080173
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11035742
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
A B-17 Flying Fortress of the 384th Bomb Group falls towards the ground after having its tails shot away during a mission.
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39837458
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-680714
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 546th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36168236
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess : Dynamite Express
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Frostie : Mrs FDR
  • Unit: 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Cameron, Clinton, Missouri, USA 3 March 1917

Died

Missing in Action (MIA)

Feldmarke Osdorf, Marienfelde, Berlin, Germany 9 March 1944 Lost after bombs away when bombs from high group (379BG) hit this aircraft, knocking tail completely off in front of stabilizer; aircraft dived straight down into a spin with all four engines going; no chutes observed. MACR 3005

Other

Memorialized

Margraten, Netherlands Tablets of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands

Revisions

Date
ContributorCoyFamilyHistory
Changes
Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission; Arlington, VA; Cemetery Records

Date
ContributorCoyFamilyHistory
Changes
Sources

Report # 3005
https://384thbombgroup.com/_content/MACRs/MACR3005.pdf

Cemetery Records Records of the American Battle Monuments Commission, Arlington, VA.

Headstone Inscription and Interment Records for U.S. Military Cemeteries on Foreign Soil, 1942–1949. Series A1 43, NAI ID: 7408555. Records of the American Battle Monuments Commission, 1918–ca. 1995. Record Group 117. The National Archives at Washington, D.C.

Date
ContributorCoyFamilyHistory
Changes
Sources

National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for District of Columbia, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 189.

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

MACR 3005

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

MACR 3005

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3005, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces, http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/PersonnelSearch.php?LastName=…

Merlin Howard Reed: Gallery (5 items)