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"Crew of the 360th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, beside the Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" "Ooold Soljer". England, 28 March 1943."
Rear L-R: Lt George V Stallings, 1Lt Keith O Bartlett, Lewis E Lyle, Lt Milton S Fonorow, 1Lt Samuel H Anderson, Capt Percy C Young.
Front L-R: S/Sgt Clayton S Balcombe, T/Sgt Gene K Smith, T/Sgt Frederick A Hartung, S/Sgt Tom McGiffin, S/Sgt Edward A Bradford, S/Sgt Robert H Sangster, T/Sgt Woodrow W Smith.
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1 Lt Keith O. Bartlett's grave, Cambridge American Cemetery, Madingley, Cambridgeshire, England.
12-Mar-42 Assigned to 303BG/360BS in B-17F #41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" as 2LT and Co-Pilot. Gowen Field (Boise), Idaho.
12-Jun-42 Unit sent to Alamogordo, New Mexico for Advanced Flight Training. On 24-Jul-42 he was a 1LT and assigned as Co-Pilot with #41-24620 "Snap Crackle Pop", 303BG/360BS. It does not appear from 303BG records that he was permanently assigned to this aircraft, but may have only completed Advanced Flight Training with this crew.
Participated in 17 Operations (3 were aborted). See Biography events.
Killed on Mission (KOM) on 31-Mar-43 in B-17F #41-24599 'Ooold Soljer', 303BG/360BS while serving as Pilot. The aircraft sustained a mid-air collision with B-17F #42-29573 'Two Beauts', 303BG/359BS during assembly for a mission to bomb the port facilities at Rotterdam, Holland. This occured less than an hour from takeoff with each carrying 6 bombs for the mission to Rotterdam. The planes collided over Wellingborough, UK and crashed at Mears Ashby. The 303rd Bomb Group website reports a memorial to the two crews is at Mears Ashby, UK.
Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart.
Service
People
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Military | Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade) | Radio Operator | 303rd Bomb Group
06-Mar-42 Assigned as Radio Operator on B-17F 41-24559 [PU-C] "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Ooold Soljer"
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Left Waist Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
6-Mar-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner on B-17F #41-24559 [PU-C], "Ooold Soljer:, 303BG 360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Ooold Soljer."
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Military | Lieutenant | Navigator | 303rd Bomb Group
28-Feb-42 Assigned as Navigator of B-17F #41-24565 [BN-P] "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids", 303BG/359BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 25-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Idaho Potato Peeler Kids"
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Military | Second Lieutenant | Co-Pilot | 303rd Bomb Group
24-Jul-42 Assigned to B-17F #42-24579 'Thumper" 303BG/360BS as a Co-Pilot during Group Advanced Training at Alamogordo, New Mexico. 16-Oct-42 Arrived with B-17F #42-24579 'Thumper" aircraft at Molesworth, UK. Flew as Co-Pilot on his missions #1 -5 on ...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Bombardier; Togglier | 303rd Bomb Group
1-Apr-42 Assigned as an Aerial Gunner with the 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 303BG records do not indicate that he was assigned to a particular aircraft at that time. Neither do the indicate on what date he arrived at Molesworth, UK nor by...
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Aerial Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
6-Dec-42 First mission as Tail Gunner of B-17 #41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France.
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Ball Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
6-Mar-42 Assigned as Ball Turret Gunner on B-17F #41-24559 [PU-C] "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Ooold Soljer"
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Military | Technical Sergeant | Top Turret Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
17-Feb-42 Assigned as Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of B-17F #41-24579 [PU-F] "Thumper", 303BG/360BS at Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho. 16-Oct-42 Arrived at Molesworth, UK aboard "Thumper".
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Military | Staff Sergeant | Tail Gunner | 303rd Bomb Group
15-Sep-42 303BG Personnel Records indicate he was assigned as an Aerial Gunner with the 303BG/360BS at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas but was not assigned to a regular crew and records do not indicate when he arrived at Molesworth, UK.
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Units served with
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Eighth Air Force Bomber Command became the Eighth Air Force on February 1944, it oversaw bombardment of strategic targets in Europe until 1945.
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Group
The 303rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) was activated on 3-Feb-1942 at Pendleton Field, Oregon. They assembled at Gowen Field, Idaho on 11-February 1942 where it conducted flight training until 12-Jun-1942. The Group then moved to Alamogordo Field, New...
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Aircraft
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B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24559 'Ooold Soljer' was assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-C] Bangor 14-Oct-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-42.
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B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24579 "Thumper" was assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-F] 17-Feb-42 Gowen Field, Idaho; Bangor 14-Oct-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-42; Aircraft damaged by AA fire and enemy fighters on mission to Lorient, France on 23-Jan-43. 11 man crew. Belly-landed at...
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B-17 Flying Fortress
B-17F 41-24620 'Snap, Crackle, Pop' assigned 360BS/303BG [PU-D] Bangor 14-Sep-42; Molesworth 16-Oct-42; Missing in Action St Nazaire 3-Jan-43 shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Escoublac Forest, West of St Nazaire, France. 7KIA 3POW MACR 15464....
Missions
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17 November 1942
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are the Primary (P) target for a combined force of 49 B-17s despatched from 91BG (20), 303BG (16) and 306BG (13). Another element of 14 B-24s despatched from 93BG also joins the bombing force on St. Nazaire. The...
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3 January 1943
The U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France are once again the target for this mission. This is proving to be a particularly difficult target to destroy due to its massive, reinforced concrete design. It consists of 14 individual pens connected together in...
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13 January 1943
The primary target for this mission is the Atclier d'Hellemmes locomotive works, associated steel works and the railroad marshalling yards at Lille, France. The attacking force is composed of 72 B-17s from: 91BG (13); 303BG (19); 305BG (23) and 306BG ...
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23 January 1943
The port area and U-Boat pens at Lorient, France are the primary target for this mission. 305th Bombardment Group is selected as the lead group, but condensation on the bombsight of the lead aircraft in the Group prevents the 305BG from bombing Lorient...
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27 January 1943
First successful attack by 8th Air Force into Germany. The 306th Bomb Group gets the distinction of being the first American Bomb Group to drop bombs on Germany. O Original target was Vegesack but clouded over. Col. Frank Armstrong lead the group. Two...
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2 February 1943
All six 8th Air Force Bomb Groups operting from Great Britain are ordered on a mission to bomb the marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany. 61 B-17s and 22 B-24s are despatched but the formation runs into severe weather over the North Sea and the mission in...
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4 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are again designated as the primary target for this mission follwing the abortive attempt of 2-Feb-43. However, weather and extreme cold frustrate this operation also. The main attacking force consists of 65 B-17s...
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14 February 1943
The marshalling yards at Hamm, Germany are once again slated at the primary target for this mission. A force of 74 B-17s are despatched: 91BG (20); 303BG (17); 305BG (17); 306BG (20), but weather once again forces the mission to be recalled before...
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27 February 1943
With weather and cloud cover continuing to frustrate bombing efforts against targets in Northern Germany, VIII Bomber Command decides to mount a raid against the harbour facilities at Brest, France. A total of 60 B-17s are destached: 91BG (18); 303BG ...
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12 March 1943
The railroad marshalling yards at Rouen/Sotteville, France is the primary target for 72 B-17s. 91BG (18); 303BG (18) ; 305BG (17) and 306BG (19). Of this formation, 63 are effective on the target. There are no aircraft losses or claims on enemy...
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Associated Place
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Military site : airfield
Molesworth was one of the early stations used by the Eighth Air Force in the UK, first occupied by the 15th Bomb Squadron’s Douglas Bostons in June 1942. Built in 1940 and extended and improved in 1942, Molesworth is most associated with the 303rd...
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Events
Event |
Location |
Date |
Born |
East Jordan, Charlevoix County, Michigan, USA |
7 May 1918 |
Son of Orrin Webster and Edith Maude [Smatts] Bartlett.
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Assigned to Unit |
Boise, ID, USA |
12 March 1942 |
Assigned to 303BG on 12-Mar-42, Gowen Field, Idaho as 2LT Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS
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Assigned to Aircraft |
Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA |
24 July 1942 |
Assigned to B-17F 41-24620 "Snap Crackle Pop", 303BG/360BS as Co-Pilot during Advanced Fight Training at Alamogordo, New Mexico
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Arrived at Station |
Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK |
16 October 1942 |
Arrived at Molesworth, UK in October 1942, but records do not indicate that he was at that time assigned to any 303BG aircraft but part of the roster of 360th Bomb Squadron.
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Mission #1, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France |
17 November 1942 |
Flew as an Observer on B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #2, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24602, 303BG/360BS - Aborted |
Saint-Nazaire, France |
18 November 1942 |
Served as Right Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24602 "Yardbird II", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France, but mechanical failures forced the Pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK.
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Mission #3, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24602, 303BG/360BS |
Romilly-sur-Seine, France |
20 December 1942 |
Served as Tail Gunner on B-17F 41-24602 "Yardbird II", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #4, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24602, 303BG/360BS |
Lorient, France |
30 December 1942 |
Served as Left Waist Gunner on B-17F 41-24602 "Yardbird II", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #5, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24579 303BG/360BS |
Saint-Nazaire, France |
3 January 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24579 "Thumper" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #6, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/41-24559 303BG/360BS |
Lille, France |
13 January 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the Lille Fives Locomotive Works at Lille, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #7, 1LT Keith O Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559 303BG/360BS |
Lorient, France |
23 January 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #8, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559 303BG/360BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany |
27 January 1943 |
Flew as an Observer on B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the port facilities at Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.
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Mission #9, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559 303BG/360BS - Aborted |
Hamm, Germany |
2 February 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the industrial areas of Hamm, Germany. Mission aborted due to weather and cloud cover. RTB OK.
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Mission #10, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted |
Osnabrück, Germany |
4 February 1943 |
Flew as an Observer on B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS to bomb the industrial areas of Osnabruck, Germany, but mechanical failures forced the pilot to abort the sortie. RTB OK.
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Mission #11, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS - Aborted |
Hamm, Germany |
14 February 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS to bomb the industrial areas of Hamm, Germany. Severe weather forced the Wing Command to recall the entire 303BG formation. RTB OK.
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Mission #12, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Brest, France |
27 February 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Brest, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #13, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Rouen, France |
12 March 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #14, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Amiens, France |
13 March 1943 |
Flew as Observer on B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Amiens/Longeau, France. RTB OK.
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Promoted to Pilot |
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21 March 1943 |
Promoted to Pilot, assigned to B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS.
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Mission #15, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Wilhelmshaven, Germany |
22 March 1943 |
Flew his first mission as a Pilot on B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the port areas of Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK.
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Mission #16, 1LT Keith O. Bartlett w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS |
Rouen, France |
28 March 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railorad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK.
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Mission #17, Keith O. Bartlett, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS, Killed on Mission (KOM) |
Rotterdam, Netherlands |
31 March 1943 |
Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the Wilton Shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland, but the aircraft sustained a mid air collision during assembly and he was killed.
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Killed on Mission (KOM) |
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, UK |
31 March 1943 |
Killed when B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier" 303BG/360BS sustained a mid-air collision with B-17F 42-29573, "Two Beauts" 303BG/358BS over Wellingborough, UK.
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Buried |
Cambridge American Cemetery |
1945 |
Buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, Plot E, Row 2, Grave 20.
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Buried |
Sunset Hill Cemetery, East Jordan, Charlevoix County, MI |
1948 |
Memorialised
Sunset Hill Cemetery
East Jordan, Charlevoix County, Michigan
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