Riley F Bissonette

Military
media-20795.jpeg UPL 20795 563rd Bomb Squadron crew in front of B-17 42-30193 "Hardluck".

Riley F Bissonette son.

Object Number - UPL 20795 - 563rd Bomb Squadron crew in front of B-17 42-30193 "Hardluck".

Crash landed while on a cross-country training flight in B17#42-37844. RTD

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.

388th Bomb Group

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

People

Kenneth L Eccleston

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-794648
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

42-30184

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Muggs
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 418th Bomb Squadron
A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30193) nicknamed "Hard Luck". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Eceleston crew.'

42-30193

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hard Luck
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron

42-30808

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3262) nicknamed "Sweetheart" of the 388th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: '388th BG. 23262.'

42-3262

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sweetheart
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
A B-17G Flying Fortress (serial number 42-37810) of the 388th Bomb Group. Official caption on image: "1715 - Hon - 12-21-43 - B17G - 42-37810.M."

42-37810

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 561st Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Minnesota, USA 21 April 1921

Enlisted

Los Angeles, CA, USA 24 April 1942

Other

388th BG Combat Tour

Knettishall, Diss IP22 2TH, UK 17 July 1943 - 14 January 1944 35 Combat Missions - 29 as co-pilot on the Kenneth Eccleston Crew and six as pilot of his own crew

Died

Camarillo, CA, USA 15 August 1993

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

http://www.ww2enlistment.org/index.php?page=directory&rec=1684371
http://death-records.mooseroots.com/?launch_filters=%5B%7B%22field%22%3…
http://www.388bg.info/servlet/Controller?pageType=detail&id=388-I-BIS04…

Date
ContributorGary Bissonette
Changes
Sources

Gary F Bissonette corrected error on award selection. Removed Distinguished Service Cross and added Distinguished Flying Cross.

Date
ContributorGary Bissonette
Changes
Sources

Riley F Bissonette's youngest son Gary F Bissonette. From Riley's war memorabilia. I am in procession of medals.

Date
ContributorGary Bissonette
Changes
Sources

Riley F Bissonette son.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

AccidentReports.com, Losses of 8th & 9th AFs Vol I by Bishop & Hey pp. 381 / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Riley F Bissonette: Gallery (4 items)

A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30193) nicknamed "Hard Luck". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Eceleston crew.'

Object number: FRE 1486 - A bomber crew of the 388th Bomb Group with their B...

Object number: UPL 20794 - 563rd Bomb Squadron crew in front of B-17 42-30193...

Object number: UPL 20795 - 563rd Bomb Squadron crew in front of B-17 42-30193...