Sam N Fain

Military
media-21578.jpeg UPL 21578 Part of the "Lady Stardust II" crew. From left to right: F/O Harold Eastman Jr (Co-Pilot); SSgt Merl D. Orcutt (Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner); SSgt Sam N. Fain (Ball Turret Gunner); 2nd Lt Milan Marecek (Pilot); 2nd Lt Cornelius A. Kohlman (Bombardier). This photo was taken on 11 May 1944. The next day SSgt Orcutt was KIA over Brux, Czechosolvakia. M.D. Eastman

MSgt Merle D. Eastman, USAF, (Ret'd) eldest son of Harold Eastman Jr

Object Number - UPL 21578 - Part of the "Lady Stardust II" crew. From left to right: F/O Harold Eastman Jr (Co-Pilot); SSgt Merl D. Orcutt (Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner);...

Shot down 12 May 1944 in B-17 #42-31345 'Lady Stardust II'. Plane ditched in Channel. Returned to base.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 452nd Bomb Group.

452nd Bomb Group

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

People

Harold Eastman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron 728th Bomb Squadron 731st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-61908
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Merl D Orcutt

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-31345

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lady Stardust II
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 728th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Other

Returned (RTD)

English Channel 12 May 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 5021 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Sam N Fain: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 21578 - Part of the "Lady Stardust II" crew. From left to...