42-38035 Mr Lucky

media-55997.jpeg UPL 55997 B-17G-DL 42-38035 MR. LUCKY of the 385th BG.

Image conforms to G-DL and AAM synopsis nickname.

P. Marchese. March 04, 2022

Object Number - UPL 55997 - B-17G-DL 42-38035 MR. LUCKY of the 385th BG.

Delivered Cheyenne 21 November 1943. Kearney 7 December 1943. Presque Isle 12 December 1943. Assigned 550BS/385BG [SG-B] Great Ashfield 16 December 1943. Mid-air collision on 1 March 1945 (mission to Ulm, Germany) with 43-38273. Had its tail cut off and crashed on a farm near Slijpe, Belgium.

8 Killed : Pilot Charles J. Armbuster, Co-Pilot Robert W. Davis, Navigator Howard M. Tripp, Gunner Robert A. Mason, Top Turret Gunner Allan M. Saarnio, Radio Operator John R. Stringi, Ball Turret Gunner Arthur W. Herold and Waist Gunner Charles J. Slavin. Tail Gunner Joe J. Jones, who was trapped in his turret, floated down in the tail and was the sole survivor.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39551795
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-827757
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-782153
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-680190
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
William Fife
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 548th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17096706 / O-693026
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sugar Jo
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

1 March 1945 crashed after mid-air collision over Belgium with another 550th BS B-17 - Serial 43-38273

Revisions

Date
ContributorTallPaul19
Changes
Sources

Additional photo added

 

Date
ContributorTallPaul19
Changes
Sources

personnel link added

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 16037

Date
Contributorjmchristel
Changes
Sources

Added nickname

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 16036 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-38035: Gallery (5 items)