Matt Walter Vukonich

Military

Matt Vukonich enlisted in the Air Corps in August 1943 and upon transfer to Europe, he was ssigned as a Ball Turret Gunner in the 351st Bomb Group / 509th Bomb Squadron. He flew a total of 38 missions from 16 July to 29 November 1944, with 7 different pilots and on board 17 different B-17s. The most missions were with Pilots Lt David W. Basehore (18) and Lt Grant R. Newby (9), the rest with Lts Stanley M. Stewart (6), William J. Cunningham (2), Edward D. Wooten (1), George E. Whitaker (1) and Howard R. Hibbard (1). He flew the most missions on 42-31384 (11) and 44-6156 (6), his three last ones on 44-6078.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.

351st Bomb Group

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

People

David W Basehore

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-705217
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

William J Cunningham

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant

Howard R Hibbard

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-815900
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Grant R Newby

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant

Stanley M Stewart

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant

Aircraft

42-31384

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Buckeye Babe
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron

42-31875

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron

42-38038

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: April Girl II

42-97169

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: My Gal Sal II

42-97193

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Star Duster
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 509th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

22 January 1914 in Ronald, Kittikas County, Washington State

Enlisted

4 August 1943 Seattle, Washington State

Died

19 April 2003 in Olympia, Thurston County, Washington State
King County, Washington State

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

http://www.351st.org
NARA WWII Enlistment records
Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death files

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / www.351st.org/ken.harbour/