William R Wagner

Military

2 March 1945, target Berlin. One engine knocked out shortly after bomb run. Another engine went out later and had to crash land near Ypres, Belgium. All crew safe. 18 March 1945, target Berlin. After bomb run, was attacked by Me 262s. Number 2 engine shot out but returned to base. No injuries. 21 March 1945, target Hopsten jet air base. Hit by flak. Several engines put out of service. Bailed out over Ruhr around Essen, Germany, in B-17 #4238113 'Renne III' and taken prisoner 21 March 1945. All crew members were taken Prisoner of War (POW); did not crash near Bremen-error in MACR.



AM w/ 3 Oak Leaf Cluster/ PH/ POW/ Presidential Citation

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 457th Bomb Group.

457th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

Dark-colored B-17 bomber airplane parked on tarmac. The numbers 1000 are painted in white behind the cockpit. Under the cockpit are the words "From the Employees of the B-17 Project, Douglas, Long Beach". There is a large industrial looking building in the background

42-38113

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Rene III
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 749th Bomb Squadron 750th Bomb Squadron

Places

The mission board of the 457th Bomb Group. Official caption printed on image: '(GM-299-2-457)(16/5/45)(Op's Board's).'

Glatton

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Connington

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Chicago, Ill 4 July 1923

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self, MACR 13895