William Richard Flesh
Military
Cropped from official USAAF crew photo
Object Number - UPL 38091 - William Richard Flesh
On a mission November 5, 1943 to Gelsenkirchen on B-17 #42-30088 "Squawkin' Hawk II", pilot William R. Flesh ordered a bail out after plane suffered severe bomb damage. 8 men jumped, but pilot Flesh and Co-Pilot John G. Gossage were able to regain control and landed at the RAF base at Tangmere, Kent. Radio Operator Conner Brewster's parachute failed to open (KIA). 4 men were captured and made POWs. 3 others managed to evade with the help of the Belgian Comète evasion network. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 15553.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12052065 at enlistment, then O-676309
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32287971
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 20902175
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 100th Bomb Group 349th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 37259551
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
Aircraft
Missions
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
8 February 1920 | Saint Louis, Missouri, the son of Roy V. and Mary M. Flesh | |
|
Enlisted |
29 October 1941 | as an Aviation Cadet in the Air Corps, at Jefferson Barracks, Lemay, Saint Louis County, Missouri | |
|
Other Brought his plane back |
5 November 1943 | On a mission November 5, 1943 to Gelsenkirchen on B-17 42-30088 'Squawkin' Hawk II', pilot William R. Flesh ordered a bail out after plane suffered severe bomb damage. 8 men jumped, but pilot Flesh and Co-Pilot John G. Gossage were able to regain control and landed at the RAF base at Tangmere, Kent. MACR 15553. | |
| Webster Groves City, Saint Louis County, Missouri |
Revisions
Added a "#" to the A/C serial number in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.
MACR 15553
NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records
WWII Draft Cards
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey pp. 511-2