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A bomber crew of the 100th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Hard Luck"
Top Row: T/Sgt "Hap" Holladay, S/Sgt Bob Goodman,S/Sgt Jim Yarnell, S/Sgt Clothier, S/Sgt Walt Schneider, S/Sgt Edward "Butch" Butchino, T/Sgt Earl Benham
Bottom Row: Lt Jack Ogg, Capt. Loren Van Steenis, Lt Harold Becker, Lt. Les Torbett
Group
"The Bloody Hundredth", so-called because of a reputation for losing a high number aircraft and crews, flew B-17s from Thorpe Abbotts, Norfolk. Their losses were not the highest of any Eighth Air Force Group but on several occasions the Group lost many...
Squadron
Military | First Lieutenant | Navigator
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 23 x combat missions. Killed instantaneously by flak on Berlin mission in B-17 42-38053 'Hard Luck II' Killed in Action (KIA)
Awards: AM (3OLC), PH.
Military | Technical Sergeant | Radio Operator Gunner
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. Flew on B-17 "Hard Luck" and 'Hard Luck II', 28 x combat missions.
Earl later wrote up his wartime experience in the book 'With Crew 13'
Awards: AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 28 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Sergeant | Waist Gunner
7 MAY 44 BERLIN. CPT
Military | Staff Sergeant | Waist Gunner
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 28 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME..
Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner; Flight Engineer
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 28 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (1 battle star).
Military | First Lieutenant | Co-Pilot
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Sternis crew. 28 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Sternis crew. 28 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME.
Military | Captain | Bombardier
Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF. Van Steenis crew. 23 x combat missions. Wounded by flak on Berlin mission in B-17 42-38053 'Hard Luck II' 7-May-44; Wounded in Action (WIA) Subsequently grounded due to wounds.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH.
| Date | Contributor | Update |
|---|---|---|
| 12 November 2014 14:28:21 | Memory Book | Created entry with caption, unit associations and person associations |
| Sources | ||
Image Courtesy of James R Skalicky |
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