42-39789 Skunkface

Ground personnel of the 379th Bomb Group inspect the damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39789) nicknamed “Skunkface”. media-380025.jpg FRE 1229 Ground personnel of the 379th Bomb Group inspect the damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39789) nicknamed “Skunkface”.

42-39789 (LF-W) Skunkface. 20th December 1943. Target FW190 plant, Bremen. This photo shows the damage sustained from intense fighter attacks during the mission. Many of the controls were shot out and the pilot showed great skill in bringing her back to Kimbolton. The LW gunner bailed out over Holland and was taken POW. Two other crew members were KIA from the fighter attacks. 2nd Lt William A Elliott P. 2nd Lt Richard W Fisher CP. 2nd Lt James L Rockwell N. 2nd Lt Burton W Cashatt B. Tsgt Arthur C Fawcett RO, KIA. Tsgt Raymond Williams TT. Ssgt Logan D Wikle RW. Sgt Udolphus Payne LW, POW. Ssgt William J Fiorenti, TG, KIA. Roger Freeman Collection

Information provided by Phil Walpole - user http://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/41177

Object Number - FRE 1229 - Ground personnel of the 379th Bomb Group inspect the damaged tail of a B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-39789) nicknamed...

Delivered Long Beach 31/8/43; Scott 19/9/43; Assigned 527BS/379BG [FO-F] Kimbolton 19/10/43; then 526BS [LF-W]; transferred 487BG Lavenham 15/7/44; ret US 1103 Morrison 31/1/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Altus 4/10/45. LITTLE SKUNKFACE.



20th December 1943. Target FW190 plant, Bremen, damage sustained from intense fighter attacks during the mission. Many of the controls were shot out and the pilot showed great skill in bringing her back to Kimbolton. The LW gunner bailed out over Holland and was taken POW. Two other crew members were KIA from the fighter attacks.

2nd Lt William A Elliott P.

2nd Lt Richard W Fisher CP.

2nd Lt James L Rockwell N.

2nd Lt Burton W Cashatt B.

Tsgt Arthur C Fawcett RO, KIA.

Tsgt Raymond Williams TT.

Ssgt Logan D Wikle RW.

Sgt Udolphus Payne LW, POW.

Ssgt William J Fiorenti, TG, KIA.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19114100 / O-758752
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19179290
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 526th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12029778
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Officers of the 487th Bomb Group outside the 838th Bomb Squadron operations room.
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Lavenham/Alpheton Airfield

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

I talk frequently with Teddy Kirkpatrick who was a member of the Lt Harris Crew on board "Skunkface". Teddy is still flying on B-17's today. He travels with the "Texas Raider" giving his time, experiences and knowledge of those day when he flew on "Skunkface". Teddy also got to fulfill a wonderment he had about whether or not he would have jumped from a B-17. He did so several years ago on his birthday and enjoyed the experience so much that he has has done so every year now.

Date
Contributorcody1947
Changes
Sources

From Veterans who flew on this ship
I talk frequently with Teddy Kirkpatrick who was a member of the Lt Harris Crew on board "Skunkface". Teddy is still flying on B-17's today. He travels with the "Texas Raider" giving his time, experiences and knowledge of those day when he flew on "Skunkface". Teddy also got to fulfill a wonderment he had about whether or not he would have jumped from a B-17. He did so several years ago on his birthday and enjoyed the experience so much that he has has done so every year now.

Date
Changes
Sources

Information provided by Phil Walpole - user http://www.americanairmuseum.com/user/41177

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-39789: Gallery (3 items)