Thomas Henry Betow
Military![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/wysiwyg_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=pZLjNIgO)
Object Number - FRE 1386 - A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6...
Assigned to 551BS, 385BG, 8AF USAAF. Shot down 5-Dec-43 in B-17 42-3397 'Fighting Cock'. Heading back to France with #3 engine on fire. Plane crashed into Bay of Biscay. With crew in dinghies, German shore patrol fired at dinghies and 7 crew members died. Prisoner of War (POW). MACR 1337
Awards: AM (3OLC), POW, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-670568
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
![Two B-17 Flying Fortresses of the 385th Bomb Group fly over the Alps during a mission. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 6 Sep 1943.' [stamp] and '282477.' [Censor no.] Handwritten caption on reverse: '42-3397 'Fightin' Cock; over Alps. Liferaft door open, battle damage.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380160.jpg.webp?itok=cMZ3epKp)
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Fighting Cock
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Marion, Wisconsin, USA | 15 September 1917 | Son of Richard and Martha M Betow. |
|
Enlisted |
Milwaukee, WI | 12 March 1941 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
|
Other Prisoner of War (POW) |
Barth, Germany | 5 December 1943 | Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag Luft I. |
|
Died |
Allouez, WI | 27 August 2012 | |
|
Based |
Great Ashfield | 5 December 1943 | Assigned to 551BS, 385BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Buried |
Allouez Catholic Cemetery And Chapel Mausoleum Green Bay, Brown County, WI | Allouez Catholic Cemetery And Chapel Mausoleum Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 2164 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
![Personnel of the 385th Bomb Group plan a raid. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291703.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ' US AIR FORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of the Bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Planning the raid at an operational station somewhere](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380128.jpg.webp?itok=BFwf_LsD)