42-3448
Delivered Cheyenne 13/6/43; Scott Fd 9/8/43; force landed base with Ray Irby 11/8/43; Assigned 359BS/303BG Molesworth 18/10/43; 13m Missing in Action Oschersleben 11/1/44 with Henry Eich, Co-pilot: Bill Woodside, Navigator: Jim Carroll, Bombardier: Bill Stein, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Lenson - later repatriated, Ball turret gunner: John Celoni, Waist gunner: Edmond Maggia, Waist gunner: Delton Erdmann, Tail gunner: Ray Gilstrap - arm shot off (9 Prisoner of War), Radio Operator: Dan Harvey (KIA, body washed up Neinburg, Ger. 5/3/44); ship hit by enemy aircraft and lagged behind, crashed northern edge of Steinhuder Lake, two miles NE of Rehburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 1924.
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: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-735268
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 39008978
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-797978
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19146014
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 359th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17122344
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Missions
- Date: 11 January 1944
- Date: 7 January 1944
- Date: 4 January 1944
- Date: 31 December 1943
- Date: 30 December 1943
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Crashed |
Steinhuder Lake. Lower Saxony, Germany | 11 January 1944 | The ship was damaged by anti aircraft fire and repeated fighter attacks to and from the target, necessitating the crew bail out on the return portion in the vicinity of Nienberg, Germany. Many of the crew were wounded, with nine being taken prisoner, with one drowning in a lake. Note: SSgt. Gilstrap would lose his left arm abocw the elbow during an attack and continue firing his gun, being cited for bravery by the Co-Pilot. |
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 11 January 1944 |