Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Gr Island 22/3/44; Dow Fd 3/4/44; Assigned 401BG Deenethorpe 2/5/44; transferred 367BS/306BG [GY-F] Thurleigh 5/5/44. Missing in Action 63M Berlin 3 February 1945 with Vernor F. Daley Jr, Co-pilot: Joseph J. Carbine, Navigator: Paul A. Becker, Bombardier: Robert E. Crede, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Reisel R. Horn, Radio Operator: Porfirio J. Marquez, Ball turret gunner: George W. Petrillo, Waist gunner: Silvio P. DeZolt, Tail gunner: Okey R. Coplin, Passenger: BBC News correspondent Guy Byam (10 Killed in Action). Hit by Flak over target and on the return flight. In the last radio contact, the pilot reported that one engine had been shot out and another losing gasoline and that they were headed for the English Coast. Nothing was heard nor found about the Fortress and the men on board, which were considered as having crashed in the Channel, with all men on board Missing In Action. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 12283. ROSE OF YORK.



Named for the then Princess Elizabeth Windsor (now Queen Elizabeth II) the Rose of York was originally name Princess Elizabeth but that did not meet with any official approval. The aircraft was renamed 'Rose of York' instead and was christened by the Princess on her royal visit to the airfield. It was part of the 306th Bomb Group throughout it's 62 successful missions. It was destroyed on the return from a raid to Berlin on it's 63rd mission, hit by accurate and concentrated AA fire, last contact indicated one engine out and another streaming gasoline, lost over the English channel with all 9 crew and a reporter.