44-8489

Delivered Dallas 26/9/44; Hunter 25/10/44; Grenier 6/11/44; Assigned 337BS/96BG [AW-G] Snetterton 11/11/44; Missing in Action Mainz 13/1/45 with Capt Merlin Miller, Co-pilot: Roy Collier, Navigator: Warren Berg, Bombardier: Capt Bob Alford, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Bill Miller, Tail gunner: Paul Hollen (6 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Vernard Jones 338BS, Waist gunner: Pete Re, Lt Lou Rodrigues voice int., Lt Col Melvin Buckner (Sq CO) mission pilot (4 Killed in Action); flak, crashed Ginsheim, near Mainz, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 11570.

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.

96th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Robert Louis Alford

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-756847
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Warren H Berg

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 759791
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Melvin E Buckner

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Pilot, Pilot, Mission

Roy D Collier

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 337th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Paul D Hollen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 96th Bomb Group 413th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35758722
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Missions

Personnel of the 355th Fighter Squadron at a briefing before a bomber escort mission, the tail markings of the B-24 Liberators they will escort are exhibited on the map. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'D Lewin in Breifing Room 13/1/45'

791

  • Date: 13 January 1945

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 13 January 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorDaniel McReynolds
Changes
Sources

Clarifying documents from Capt. Alfords family shows that this aircraft was not in fact "Reluctant Dragon" (42-38133) but was an unnamed B17. This plane was downed 1-13-45. The dragon was downed 11-30-44.

Date
ContributorJennifer
Changes
Sources

The pilot Merlin (Gary) Miller was my grandfather.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 11570 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database