Joseph L Russo

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

Mid air collision 31 December 1944 in B-17 42-31987, 'The Little Skipper', Killed in Action (KIA). Body never found (Piggyback Mission) It was called the 'Piggyback' mission because a B-17 had jammed up into this B -17 trying to fill an open place in the box pattern. Captain Rojohn was pilot of 'The Little Skipper'. 

Sergeant Russo was heard over the intercom in the plane reciting his 'Hail Marys' in preparation for his death as he could not get out of the jammed ball turret. Several fellow crew members attempted to release Russo but were unable to save him. 

Awards: AM (2OLC), PH.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 100th Bomb Group, Lieutenant Kenneth Menzie, Lieutenant Donald Strout and Lieutenant Norman Scott, plan the route they will take during the next mission in their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30380). Image stamped on reverse: 'Reviewed and passed U.S. Army 23 Aug 1943 Press Censor E.T.O. U.S.A.' [stamp]'. Passed for publication 23 August 1943 INTLD 16 General Section Press Censorship Bureau '[stamp], 'Associated Press' [stamp] and '280035.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reve

100th Bomb Group

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

People

Prosper F Pinto

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 785th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-750837
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (EP-E, serial number 42-31767) nicknamed "Our Gal Sal" of the 100th Bomb Group at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Written on slide casing: 'Our Gal Sal EP-E, 231767 at Mount Farm.'

42-31987

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Shilaylee, The Little Skipper
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 350th Bomb Squadron

Missions

A B-17 Flying Fortress (EP-E, serial number 42-31767) nicknamed "Our Gal Sal" of the 100th Bomb Group at Mount Farm. Image by Robert Astrella, 7th Photographic Reconnaissance Group. Written on slide casing: 'Our Gal Sal EP-E, 231767 at Mount Farm.'

772

  • Date: 31 December 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

2 March 1921 Son of Frank and Frances [Sapienza] Russo.

Enlisted

8 October 1942 Chicago, Illinois

Died

31 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) mission to Wilhelmshaven Mid air collision near Rustringen in B-17 43-38457 trapped in ball turret Killed in Action (KIA) 31-Dec-44. MACR 11359.

Buried

27 January 1949 St Adalberts cemetery Niles Cook County Illinois

Based

31 December 1944 Assigned to 350BS, 100BG, 8AF USAAF.

Born

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/143822808?objectPage=1155

 

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/image/319859748
# removed from A/C serial No. to aid clarity and consistency.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity & consistency.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

https://www.fold3.com/page/84458719-joseph-l-russo/facts
https://www.fold3.com/image/46703402
https://www.fold3.com/image/310763359?terms=16135410%20Joseph%20L%20Rus…
https://www.fold3.com/image/319859748?terms=Joseph%20L%20Russo
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=124692211

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

100th Bomb Group Foundation Directory, 2000 - 2001, MACR 11550 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 11550 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database