FRE 1340

IMAGE
Fred Heiser, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group , and his crew sit atop the wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: 'Heiser Crew 550th BS, 385th BG 1944. L to R- Fred Heiser-P, Tony Ardzinski- TG, "Slug" Schultheis- WG (right), Geo Salvador- BTG, John Hill- N, Carl Hanson- Eng T/T Gunner, Bob James- CP, John Daugherty- ROMG, Julius King- WG (left). Posing on B17G "Poltergeist" 42-32059.'
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Fred Heiser, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group , and his crew sit atop the wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: 'Heiser Crew 550th BS, 385th BG 1944. L to R- Fred Heiser-P, Tony Ardzinski- TG, "Slug" Schultheis- WG (right), Geo Salvador- BTG, John Hill- N, Carl Hanson- Eng T/T Gunner, Bob James- CP, John Daugherty- ROMG, Julius King- WG (left). Posing on B17G "Poltergeist" 42-32059.'

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A

Anthony J Ardzinski

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12150071
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
John A. Daugherty, a radio man of the 385th Bomb Group sits atop a B-17 Flying Fortress. Another Fortress (serial number 42-107054) nicknamed "Vat 69" is visible in the background. Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on the reverse: 'John A Daugherty- Radio man. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG. In background B-17G-35-DL "Vat 69". Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: '7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken

John A Dougherty

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Fred Heiser, a pilot of the 385th Bomb Group , and his crew sit atop the wing of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: 'Heiser Crew 550th BS, 385th BG 1944. L to R- Fred Heiser-P, Tony Ardzinski- TG, "Slug" Schultheis- WG (right), Geo Salvador- BTG, John Hill- N, Carl Hanson- Eng T/T Gunner, Bob James- CP, John Daugherty- ROMG, Julius King- WG (left). Posing on B17G "Poltergeist" 42-32059.'

Carlyle Hanson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer
Bob James- co-pilot, Fred Heiser- pilot and John Hill- navigator, all of the 385th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Tim Bivens. Biven's has handwritten on reverse: 'L to R: Bob James- Copilot (later KIA in USAAF Mosquito), Fred Heiser- Pilot, John Hill- Navigator, 550th BS, 385th BG, 1944. Note 550th BS patch on A-2's.'

Fred Heiser

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Bob James- co-pilot, Fred Heiser- pilot and John Hill- navigator, all of the 385th Bomb Group with a B-17 Flying Fortress. Image via Tim Bivens. Biven's has handwritten on reverse: 'L to R: Bob James- Copilot (later KIA in USAAF Mosquito), Fred Heiser- Pilot, John Hill- Navigator, 550th BS, 385th BG, 1944. Note 550th BS patch on A-2's.'

Robert W James

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 25th Bomb Group 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron 653rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-812999
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

AJ Ardzinski, a tail gunner of the 385th Bomb Group in position inside a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-32059) nicknamed "Poltergeist". Image via Tim Bivens. Bivens has handwritten on reverse: ' AJ Ardzinski- Tail gunner. Fred Heiser crew 550th BS, 385th BG, B-17G-35-BO "Poltergeist" 42-32059.' Bivens enclosed a letter with the print: 7-14-03, Hello Roger, Got another “Mystery B-17” for you. Just recently obtained the enclosed prints from slides taken by the co-pilot Bob James in the photos. A

42-32059

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Poltergeist, Vagabond
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date:
ContributorLucy May
ChangesChanges to person associations
Sources

Added connections from information in caption.

Date:
ContributorAAM
ChangesAAM ingest
Sources

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection