42-97368 Tailwind

media-20976.jpeg UPL 20976 Back Row (viewer's left to right):
2nd Lt. Willard Hadjes, Pilot
F/O Homer R. Kuck, Co-Pilot
John A. Hiller, Bombardier
Richard E. Howell, Navigator
Front Row (viewer's left to right):
Jack H. Brady, Crew Chief
Frank Pescia
S/Sgt. Joseph Ferraiuolo, Radio/Gunner
John B. Lindsay, Engineer/Waist Gunner
Sgt. Floyd Jones, Jr., Ball Turret Gunner
Sgt. James A. Johnson, Gunner 3
Sgt. Robert B. Gibb, Engineer Gunner Nuthampstead Airfield Museum collection

398th Bomb Group Collection via Nuthampstead Airfield Museum.

Object Number - UPL 20976 - Back Row (viewer's left to right): 2nd Lt. Willard Hadjes, Pilot F/O Homer R. Kuck, Co-Pilot John A. Hiller, Bombardier Richard E. Howell,...

Delivered Cheyenne 23/2/44; Rapid City 10/3/44; Grenier 14/3/44; Assigned 398BG , 601 SQD, Nuthampstead 25/4/44.

Original Crew 601 SQ: 1st-Lt. Willard Hadjes (Pilot), 2nd Lt. Homer Kuck (Co-Pilot), 2nd Lt. John A. Hiller (Bombardier), 2nd Lt. Richard E. Howell (Navigator), S/Sgt. John B. Lindsay, T/Sgt. Joseph Ferraioule (Radio), S/Sgt. Floyd Jones (Gunner), T/Sgt. Robert Gibb (Top Turret), S/Sgt. James A. Joh(n)son (Gunner), Pvt. Frank K. Pescia (Gunner). Thanks to "Jack" Hiller.

No operations flown.

Transferred 368BS/306BG [BO-O] Thurleigh 28/4/44. Missing in Action Ruhrland 12 September 1944 with John W. Sasser Jr (wounded, captured, interned at Stalag Luft 3; died on 20 March 1945 in hospital in Obermassfeld, Germany, undergoing mastoidectomy). Co-pilot: James T. McStay Jr; Navigator: Anthony J. Carlino; Bombardier: Robert E. Banta; Radio Operator: Eugene T. Carroll, Tail gunner: Ray Wilson (5 Killed in Action; 1 Died of Wounds as a POW). Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Virgil S. Mitchelson (Wounded in Action); Ball turret gunner: Arthur C. Schultz; Waist gunner: David R. Revolti (Wounded in Action) (3 Prisoner of War). Hit by Flak, crash-landed near Massow, 5km NE of Freyenstein, Brandenburg, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 8834.

Connections

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

Units served with

Official insignia of the 306th Bomb Group, approved 6 January 1943, and updated 2 October 1951.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 398th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16116296 at enlistment, then O-706780
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32529064 at enlistment, then O-716627
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33148924
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 398th Bomb Group 601st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39285989
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

Places

Missions

  • Date: 12 September 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 12 September 1944 hit by Flak, crash-landed near Massow, 5km NE of Freyenstein, Brandenburg, Germany

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 8834

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added connections to the 8th AF.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the nickname mentioned in the A/C “Description”.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity. Also added "()" in a couple places in the A/C “Description” for clarity.

Date
Changes
Sources

398th Bomb Group Collection via Nuthampstead Airfield Museum. Museum object reference number: BRAD-12

Date
Contributorsmccrossin
Changes
Sources

My grandfather was on the original crew (398th BG 601 Squadron) under Willard Hadjes

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8834 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-97368: Gallery (4 items)