Jack B Kirk

Military
media-19587.jpeg UPL 19587 The Jack B. Kirk crew.
Front, from left to right : Navigator Lloyd G. Olson; Pilot Jack B. Kirk; Co-Pilot John G. Beck; Bombardier Will L. Utterback (not on board 42-97342 on the fatal 21 February 1945 mission)
Top row, from left to right : Nose Turret Gunner Oliver B. Hawthorn; Waist Gunner Harold B. Thompson; Tail Gunner Robert L. Kipp; Radio Operator Charles L. Stribl; Waist Gunner George Barlow (not on the 21/4/45 mission); Top Turret Gunner Alma H. Glick
(Photo courtesy of the Glick and Kipp families)

Added crew photo

Object Number - UPL 19587 - The Jack B. Kirk crew. Front, from left to right : Navigator Lloyd G. Olson; Pilot Jack B. Kirk; Co-Pilot John G. Beck; Bombardier Will L. Utterback...

Sole survivor of the 8-man crew on B-17 42-97342 which crashed near Sulzbach, Germany on 21 April 45.



Pilot 94th BG The Group flew its final mission on 21st April 1945. Lt. Kirk and the crew of 'Struggle Buggy' with 332 BS were lost just after bombs away. Witnesses reported that the aircraft enocuntered prop wash, rolled over on its back and 'entered the clouds in a vertical dive. The very last of the 94th's combat losses.

Connections

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

Units served with

A bomber crew of the 94th Bomb Group stand with their B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-30200) nicknamed "Slo Time Sally" and a bomb inscribed 'Special delivery to Hitler'. Inscription on bomb reads: 'Special delivery to Hitler, From Peggy of St. Louis.'

94th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

John G Beck

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2076350
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Alma Henry Glick

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19092418
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Oliver B Hawthorn

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39050311
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier, Enlisted, Nose Gunner

Robert L Kipp

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner

Lloyd G Olson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2071677
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Aircraft

42-97342

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Struggle Buggy
  • Unit: 94th Bomb Group 332nd Bomb Squadron

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Returned (RTD)

Germany 21 April 1945

Born

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 94th Bomb Group related to the service of Jack Kirk.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Linked to crew photo

Date
Contributorusxpat
Changes
Sources

Rougham Control Tower memorial plaques
MACR 14167, accessed at Fold3

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 14167 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Jack B Kirk: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 19587 - The Jack B. Kirk crew. Front, from left to right...