42-31174 Spirit of Chicago
Photo from 385th BG website
Copyright expired.
Object Number - UPL 76599 - 42-31174 Spirit of Chicago, 385th BG.
Delivered Dallas 27/9/43; Gr Island 19/10/43; Long Beach 28/11/43; Assigned 551BS/385BG [HR-Y] Gt Ashfield 5/12/43; Missing in Action Berlin 29/4/44 with Francis Hart, Co-pilot: Carl Connell, Navigator: Jim Hastings, Bombardier: Bob Hunt, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Leonard, Radio Operator: Anatole Briant, Ball turret gunner: Lowell Birdwell, Waist gunner: Roy Modglin, Waist gunner: Bill Jackson (9 Prisoner of War);Tail gunner: John Neely (KIA-died in hospital 4/5/44 probably from gun shots in the attack), crashed Hartz Mountains at Eckertal, near Bad Harzburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4454. SPIRIT OF CHICAGO.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 385th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress. Image stamped on reverse: 'Planet News.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 6 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '291701.' [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: Printed caption on reverse: 'US AIRFORCE IN GREAT DAYLIGHT OFFENSIVE ON EUROPE. The great daylight offensive on Europe continues, targets in Germany, France and Belgium being attacked by great formations of bombers and fighters from the US Army Air Force and the RAF. Photo shows: Before t](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380140.jpg.webp?itok=3DyNylCs)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group 551st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 29 April 1944 |
Revisions
son of John W Leonard who was the flight engineer/ top turret gunner
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4454 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
