42-30043 Ruthless
Photo courtesy of Eugene Spearman.
Object Number - UPL 20021 - 42-30043 SO-V, RUTHLESS, Ditched in the North Sea on return from a mission (#108) to Frankfurt, 4 October 1943. Photo courtesy of Eugene Spearman.
Delivered Cheyenne to 3/4/43; Sioux City 14/4/43; Kearney 4/5/43; Bangor 23/5/43; Assigned to the 547BS/384BG [SO-V] Grafton Underwood on 29 May 1943; Missing in Action Frankfurt 4 October 1943 with Giles Felker Kauffman, Co-pilot: George Molnar, Navigator: Frank Pogorzelski, Bombardier: James J. Lacroix, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: William Jarrell, Radio Operator: Jules Theodore Beck, Ball turret gunner: Jacob M. Martinez, Waist gunner: Paul Spodar, Waist gunner: Peter Seniansky, Tail gunner: Stanley Thomas Reuben (10 Returned to Duty); ditched North Sea, all rescued by HM drifter ‘Lord Keith’. No MACR. RUTHLESS.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-805199
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
![A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-413571.jpg.webp?itok=7d6KhVuE)
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-665337
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 547th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: 33263982
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18051500
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35328426
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Engineer/Gunner
Places
Missions
- Date: 28 June 1943
- Date: 25 June 1943
- Date: 22 June 1943
Revisions
Added a space in front of the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” for clarity.