Clifford Jesse Prater

Military

Clifford Prater was Tail gunner on board B-17 42-39775. Enemy aircraft severely riddled the ship on the 11 January mission to Brunswick, Germany, causing damage to the radio room. Six men had bailed out before the Pilot and Co-Pilot managed to regain control of the Fortress and flew it home safely. Returned to Duty (RTD).



Awards: SS, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14085527
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16134233
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Observer/Photographer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36000091 / O-744349
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38058661 / O-741880
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot
Lieutenant Jabez F. Churchill of the 94th Bomb Group in the nose gun position of his B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Frenesi". Printed caption on reverse: 'Fortress Gets Home With Damaged Nose. Associated Press Photo Shows:- Lt. Jabez F. Churchill, co-pilot of the Flying Fortress "Frenesi", sticks his head through the hole made by a 20mm German cannon shell in the plexiglass nose of his plane during the great raid on the Me110 assembly plant at Brunswick, Germany, January 11. The shell cut through the nos
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-680406
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot

Aircraft

The nose art of a B-17G Flying Fortress nicknamed "Frenesi"of the 94th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Frenesi
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Logan County, WV 8 April 1922 Son of Jesse J and Elizabeth H Prater.

Enlisted

Fort Hayes Columbus OH 10 November 1942 Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio

Died

7 May 1969

Buried

Forest Hill Cemetery, Canton, Stark County, OH 11 May 1969 Forest Hill Cemetery, Canton, Stark County, Ohio

Based

Bury St Edmunds Assigned to 333BS, 94BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 12969

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Corrected a typo in the A/C “Description”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12969, Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces