42-31237 Alexander's Ragtime Band
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Delivered Cheyenne 7/10/43; Grand Island 16/10/43; Wilmington 19/10/43; Assigned 551BS/385BG [HR-O] Gt Ashfield 26/10/43; battle damaged Pas de Calais 1/5/44 with Russell Novotny(& crew from 452BG), Co-pilot: Fred Hageter (2 Returned to Duty), Navigator: Franklin Murdock, Bombardier: Ernie Lundgren, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dave Miller, Radio Operator: George Langer, Ball turret gunner: Lloyd Winegarner, Waist gunner: Roger Clark, Waist gunner: Emil Smedley,Tail gunner: Ray Smith all bailed over France, (8POWs?); flak KO’d #4, but limped home to crash landed Mendlesham, Sfk. UK. only to catch fire and burn out; Salvaged 2/5/44. STORK aka ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: waist gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Service Numbers: O-817428
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 385th Bomb Group
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 487th Bomb Group
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: RAF Mendlesham
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
France | 1 May 1944 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4455 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database