43-39163 Happy Warrior
Transferred information about aircraft's fate to aircraft page
Object Number - FRE 8508 - A B-17 Flying Fortress (H8-S, serial number 43-39163) nicknamed "Happy Warrior" of the 835th Bomb Squadron, 486th Bomb Group in flight with two...
Delivered Lincoln 22/12/44; Grenier 3/1/45; Assigned 835BS/486BG [H8-S] Sudbury 7/1/45; 24m Missing in Action Parchim 7/4/45 with Walt Center, Giovanni Cirelli, Albt Harris, Wyatt Kerr, Sam Powell tg, Maj Bain Fulton obs (6 Prisoner of War); Doug Spath, George Lyford, Frank Pikula, Bob Frauenholtz (4KIA, 2 on ground); hit by flak and bombs from above a/c; crashed Parchim, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 13889. HAPPY WARRIOR.
1st LT Walter G. Center and crew were flying "Happy Warrior" (#9163 H8:S) on the raid to bomb the Me 262 A/F at Parchim on 7 April 1945. The bombing altitude was 15,000'. When the lead aircraft, #846, dropped its bombs, one of the incendiary clusters reportedly broke apart and struck #9163. The aircraft burst into flames immediately. Six men were observed to jump, and 5 chutes were confirmed. (MACR 13889).
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 486th Bomb Group 835th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Assigned |
Sudbury, UK | 7 January 1945 | Assigned 835BS, 486BG, 8AF USAAF. |
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Germany | 7 April 1945 |
Revisions
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 13889 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 13889 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database