William Matthew Ivanhoff

Military
media-41036.jpeg UPL 41036 Crew of B-17 41-9090, 97th Bomb Group.

Photograph supplied by John Batchelor.

Object Number - UPL 41036 - Crew of B-17 41-9090, 97th Bomb Group.

William Matthew Ivanhoff (also known as Matthew Ivanhoff) was on board B-17E-BO A/C #41-9090 transitioning to England from the United States on 27 June 1942 when it had to ditch near an island in Narsarsuaq Fjord, near Narsaq, in 1500ft of water, 35 miles SW of Bluie West One, Greenland. All 12 crew members left uninjured and were brought safely to England.

Bill Invahoff was killed in the crash-landing of B-17 #42-5715 in North Africa, 18 December 1942.

Connections

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Units served with

Ground personnel of the 97th Bomb Group reservice a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 41-9023) nicknamed "Yankee Doodle", following the raid on Rouen. Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication 18 Aug 1942.' [stamp], 'Air=SER (Boeing).' [written annotation] and '216112.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'U.S FLYING FORTRESSES RAID ROUEN IN DAYLIGHT. Associated Press Photo Shows: No sooner had one of the huge Fortresses landed after the raid than ground crew im
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16004238 at enlistment, then O-724118
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14052214
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The SOONER
  • Unit: 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Sooner II
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 97th Bomb Group 342nd Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, United States 25 June 1922 the son of Bulgarian-born Martin M. Ivanhoff and England-born Hilda (Richards) Ivanhoff

Enlisted

Chicago, Illinois, United States 25 November 1941

Died

near Bizerte, Tunisia 18 December 1942 in the crash-landing of B-17 Serial 42-5715 near Bizerte, Tunisia
Boone County, Illinois, United States

Buried

Belvidere Cemetery, Belvidere, Illinois, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorChadF
Changes
Sources

This photo depicting the rescue of the crew of B-17E-BO AC# 41-9090 and then Major Herbert C. Chambers who was also on board was sent to Col. Chambers from the U.S. Army.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Corrected last name
US Census 1940
NARA WWII Enlistment Records
WWII Casualties - Boone County, Illinois

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th and 9th AF by Bishop and Hay p.15

William Matthew Ivanhoff: Gallery (1 items)