Jack W Watson

Military
media-32160.jpeg UPL 32160 "2nd Lt Jack W Watson, Indianapolis, IN, who crash landed Fort at fighter station. Watson all alone brought the ship back from attack on Oschersleben Tuesday after ordering the crew to bail out when plane was afire. Watson's sixth mission. Twenty one year old pilot best remembered buzzing Yankee stadium during the world series."

https://www.fold3.com/image/55660372

Object Number - UPL 32160 - "2nd Lt Jack W Watson, Indianapolis, IN, who crash landed Fort at fighter station. Watson all alone brought the ship back from attack on Oschersleben...

On the big raid of Jan 11, 1944, known as 'Black Tuesday' Lt. Watson's plane was badly shot up and on fire. He ordered the crew to bail out while still over land. After they got out he discovered that he was now over water and decided to try and get the plane back to base. He made it to a fighter group base, Metfield, and did a perfect landing. The ground crew was amazed to see only 1 person get out. After putting the fire out they found an unexploded 20mm shell behind Watson's seat. This is the same man who 'buzzed' the World Series game in New York in 1943. ! B-17F #42-29524 'Meathound'. RTD

Connections

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

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.

303rd Bomb Group

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

People

Paul Kistulentz

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Theodore Steven Lappo

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16057777
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Robert Glen McArthur

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17128077
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Robert W Sheets

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-679128
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Squadron Commanding Officer

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (RD-D, serial number 42-29524) nicknamed "Meat Hound" of the 423rd Bomb Squadron, 306th Bomb Group.

42-29524

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Meat Hound
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron 423rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Indianapolis, Indiana

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Changed the label for a Died event to “Killed in Action (KIA)” per info in the "Summary biography".

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Updated Highest Rank and Added S/N per MACR 4269 at Fold3.com.
Source: https://www.fold3.com/image/28626997

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Mighty Eighth Chronology Supplement, 8th AF Losses

Jack W Watson: Gallery (5 items)

Object number: UPL 32160 - "2nd Lt Jack W Watson, Indianapolis, IN, who crash...

Object number: UPL 32171 - "Ground crew extinguishes fire on crash landed...

Object number: UPL 49694 - Capt. Jack Watson - M/Sgt Tom Harrelson - Capt...

Object number: UPL 50314 - "Lead crew of "B-Group" on bombing mission to...

Object number: UPL 50321 - Watson crew with B-17 42-39785 "Thru Hel'en...