William Matthew Ivanhoff
Military
Photograph supplied by John Batchelor.
Object Number - UPL 41036 - Crew of B-17 41-9090, 97th Bomb Group.
William Matthew Ivanhoff (also known as Matthew Ivanhoff) was on board B-17E-BO A/C #41-9090 transitioning to England from the United States on 27 June 1942 when it had to ditch near an island in Narsarsuaq Fjord, near Narsaq, in 1500ft of water, 35 miles SW of Bluie West One, Greenland. All 12 crew members left uninjured and were brought safely to England.
Bill Invahoff was killed in the crash-landing of B-17 #42-5715 in North Africa, 18 December 1942.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34249492
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
![Sergeant Fredrick Wilson, a tail gunner of the 97th Bomb Group, in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: Passed for publication 25 Jul 1942' [crossed out stamp], 'Not to be published 25 Jul 1942.' [stamp], 'Reveiwed and passed for publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp],'AIR(BOEING)' [written annotation], 'Associated Press.' [stamp] and '212087.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'AMERICAN FLYING FORTRESSES WAIT FOR ZERO HOUR Associated Press photo shows: Hardly visible as he](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379312.jpg.webp?itok=77zH9kVk)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Aircraft
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States | 25 June 1922 | the son of Bulgarian-born Martin M. Ivanhoff and England-born Hilda (Richards) Ivanhoff |
|
Enlisted |
Chicago, Illinois, United States | 25 November 1941 | |
|
Died |
near Bizerte, Tunisia | 18 December 1942 | in the crash-landing of B-17 Serial 42-5715 near Bizerte, Tunisia |
| Boone County, Illinois, United States | |||
|
Buried |
Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, Illinois, United States |
Revisions
This photo depicting the rescue of the crew of B-17E-BO AC# 41-9090 and then Major Herbert C. Chambers who was also on board was sent to Col. Chambers from the U.S. Army.
Added a "#" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.
Corrected last name
US Census 1940
NARA WWII Enlistment Records
WWII Casualties - Boone County, Illinois
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AF by Bishop and Hay p.15