Kent M Fitzsimmons

Military ROLL OF HONOUR

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 "Thumper'; Also flew as Co-Pilot on B-17F #42-5262 (Plocher - mission #7); B-17F #42-2973 'Iza Vailable' (Bilek - mission #8); B-17F #42-5260 (Farrar - mission #9); and B-17F #42-24559 'Ooold Soldier' Bartlett - missions #10 #11). Flew 11 operations and credited with 10 Missions.



Participated in 11 Operations (4 were Aborted) See Biography events



On 23 January 1943, (Mission # 6) in B-17F #41-24579 'Thumper', 303BG/360BS while serving as Co-Pilot the aircraft received battle damage on mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France but managed to make it back to England. Eight crew members and a photographer bailed out and one man was killed (KOM) and two men were Wounded in Action (WIA). The pilot and co-pilot landed wheels-up at Lulsgate Bottom airfield near Bristol. No MACR issued.



On 31-Mar-43 (Mission #11) in B-17F #41-29559 'Oooold Soljer' while serving as Co-Pilot the aircraft was despatched with twenty others from Molesworth between 0935 hrs and 0946 hrs on a mission to bomb the port facilities at Rotterdam, Holland. The formation was led by Col Romig. At 1020 hrs a mid-air collision occurred between B-17F #41-24559 and B-17F #42-29573 'Two Beauts' 303BG/358BS in 10/10ths cloud near Wellingborough. A/c 559 lost its right wing from the No 4 engine outboard. Both aircraft crashed at Mears Ashby, killing eight crew in a/c 559 and 7 in a/c 573. A total of 5 airmen were able to bail out of the stricken aircraft. 1st Lieutenant Fitzsimmons was killed in the collision. No MACR issued. 303rd Bomb Group website reports a memorial to the two crews is at Mears Ashby, UK.



DFC, Air Medal, Purple Heart

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-791048
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-435855
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24559) nicknamed "Old Soljer" of the 303rd Bomb Group. Passed as censored 25 Jan 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17 "Old Soljer". 25 Jan 1943.' Printed caption attached: 'How The Boys Live And Work At Flying Fortress Station In England. Wide World Photo Shows:- Side view of Fortress. This one's been named "Old Soljer" by her crew, who have painted the name on the side of the fuselage, as shown here. WW/ALA. 26-1-43.' On reverse: Ministry of Information, As
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ooold Soljer
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-24579) of the 365th Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb Group prepares for take off. Handwritten caption on reverse: '30/6/43.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Thumper
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
Two airmen of the 303rd Bomb Group admire the nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Iza Vailable". Printed caption removed from reverse. On reverse: Keystone Press Agency, 'Sacred' and U.S. Official Photograph O.W.I. [Stamps].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Iza Vailable
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Yardbird II
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Assigned to Group

Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA 24 July 1942 Assigned to 303BG/360BS with aircraft B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper" as Co-Pilot in advanced training at Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Other

Station Assigment

Molesworth, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28, UK 16 October 1942 - 31 March 1943 Stationed with 303rd Bomb Group at Molesworth, UK.

Other

Mission # 1, 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24579 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Saint-Nazaire, France 17 November 1942 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. Aircraft aborted mission. Reason not documented in Mission Report.

Other

Mission # 2, 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons w/B-17F 41-24579 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 18 November 1942 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper" 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission # 3, 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24579, 303BG/360BS

Saint-Nazaire, France 23 November 1942 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper"on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #4 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons w/B-17F 41-24579, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Lille, France 6 December 1942 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper: 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the carriage and wagon works at Lille France. Aircraft aborted mission. Reason not documented in Mission Report.

Other

Mission #5, 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24579, 303BG/360BS

Romilly-sur-Seine, France 20 December 1942 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. . RTB OK.

Other

Mission #6, 2LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24579 303BG/360BS

Lorient, France 23 January 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-24579 "Thumper"on a mission to bomb the U-Boat pens at Lorient, France. Aircraft RTB with hydraulics and 2 engines out. Belly landed at Lusgate Bottom, UK. 1KIA 2WIA 7RTD. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #7, 1LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons w/B-17F 42-5262, 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Hamm, Germany 14 February 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-5262, 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb industrial targets at Hamm, Germany, but severe weather forced Wing Command to recall the entire 303BG formation. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #8, 1LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 42-2973 303BG/360BS - Aborted

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 26 February 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-2973 "Iza Vailable", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb U-Boat pens at Wilhelmshaven Germany. Aborted because ball turret electrical heating system malfunctioned. RTB OK.

Other

Mission #9, 1LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 42-5260 303BG/360BS

Rouen, France 12 March 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 42-5260 "Yardbird", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the railroad marshalling yards at Rouen, France. RTB OK

Other

Mission #10, 1LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS

Wilhelmshaven, Germany 22 March 1943 Served as Co-Pilot of B-17F 41-24559 "Ooold Soldier", 303BG/360BS on a mission to bomb the port area of Wilhelmshaven, Germany. RTB OK

Other

Mission #11, 1LT Kent M. Fitzsimmons, w/B-17F 41-24559, 303BG/360BS (KOM)

Mears Ashby, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN6, UK 31 March 1943 Killed when his aircraft B-17F 14-24559 "Ooold Soljer", 303BG/360BS sustained a mid-air collision with B-17F 42-29573 "Two Beauts", 303BG/358BS over Mears Ashby, UK. The aircraft were on a mission to bomb the Wilton Shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland. KOM

Born

Bent County, Colorado

Buried

Buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, Plot D, Row 1, Grave 73

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to John A. Castle, the pilot of A/C 41-24579.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a connection to Keith O. Bartlett.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 4-May-2016. Completed entry by adding mission paricipations statement to Summary Biography pere 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 25-Feb-43. Added recall info to Mission #7 note pere 303BG records http://www.303rdbg.com

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 1-Feb-2016. Edited Mission events with his name and rank, added target info to notes for consistency with or 303BG losses per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian, http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Aircraft he served in to Description per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian.:http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Finalizing Descritption and Mission connections from analysis of 303BG website Mission Reports associated with this airman, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Mission #9 and reconciled 11 missions per 303BG Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015 Added Mission # 9 event per 303BG website Mission Report of 22-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/025.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Mission #8 evenr per 303BG website Mission Report of 12-Mar-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/022.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Mission #7 event per 303BG website Mission Report of 26-Feb-43, Gray Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015 Added Mission #6 event per 303BG website Mission Report of 23-Jan-43, Gary Moncur, historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/011.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015 Added Mission event #5 per 303BG website Mission Report of 20-Dec-42, Gray Moncur, historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/007.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Asssignment event per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, historian; Added Station Assignment date based on aircraft arrival and MIA date, "The B-17 Flying Fortress Story", Roger A. Freeman with David Osborne.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Corrections to Mission dates.

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Added Mission connections and events per 303BG website Mission Reports, Gary Moncur, historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Made connection to 42-2973 on 26-Feb-43 Mission per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/017.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 21-Jul-2015. Made connection to 42-5262 on 14-Feb-43 Mission per 303BG website, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/015.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 20-Jul-2015 Added MISSION #1 event per 303BG Mission Report of 17-Nov-43, Gary Moncur, Historian: http://www.303rdbg.com/missionreports/001.pdf

Date
ContributorLee8thbuff
Changes
Sources

Lee Cunningham 12-Feb-2015. Added decorations and Burial event per American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) record; SN, loss details and Biography based on 303rd Bomb Group website records.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit History; Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. 1 by Bishop and Hey p. 94, 66, 303rd web site, ABMC web site