43-37603 I'll Be Around

Note : This B-17G, Serial Number 43-37603, named, I'll Be Around, should not be mistaken for several other B-17Gs, also named, I'll Be Around, after the name of an American contemporary popular song, "I'll Be Around", in 1944.



B-17G-65-BO: 43-37603



Manufacturer: Boeing



Bomb Group: 96th Bomb Group

Bomb Squadron: 338th Bomb Squadron

RCL: BX-R

Fate: Lost to flak. 10 September 1944. MACR 8809



The B-17G, 43-37603, named, I'll Be Around, was delivered to Cheyenne 3/5/44; Hunter 16/5/44; Grenier 3/6/44; Assigned 338BS/96BG [BX-R] Snetterton 3/6/44;



The B-17G airplane, I'll Be Around, was being flown by Lt. Oscar Williamson when it failed to return (FTR) from a mission to Nurnberg, Germany. 10/9/44 It's command pilot, Lt. Williamson, was, first, mistakenly listed as KIA, for the second time, then, later, listed correctly as a POW. Aircraft was hit by flak, crashed near Laubenthal, Germany, NW of Ingolstadt, Germany. 10 POW. 10 Sep 44. MACR 8809



Lt. Oscar Williamson's Crew on, the B-17G - I'll Be Around :



Copilot Jim Haynes

Navigator: Wiley Williams

Bombardier: John Greene

Flight engineer/ Top Turret Gunner: Bill Lowery

Radio Operator: Bruce Sleeper

Ball Turret Gunner: Bob Tharat

Waist Gunner: Henry Dirocco

Tail Gunner: Bill Montgomery

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 96th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Places

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: - Ill Be Around aka The Skillet
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 570th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Saint
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 338th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Ill Be Around

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 10 September 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Fixed a typo in the nickname.

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Missing Air Crew Report 8809

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Missing Air Crew Report 8809

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Missing Air Crew Report 8809

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Missing Air Crew Report 8809

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

American Air Museum In Britain - Lt. Oscar Williamson ---- MACR 8809

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 8809 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database