Merle Johnson

Military
A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. media-413575.jpg FRE 4891 A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Roger Freeman Collection

384thbombgroup.com

Object Number - FRE 4891 - A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on...

10 combat missions. Shot down on B-17 42-5843, BLACK GHOST, 6 September 1943. EVADED, MACR 1455

Escape and Evasion Report Number 220

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 384th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14078782
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer/Top Turret Gunner
A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-735980
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13043315
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35328989
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
A bomber crew led by Ralph E. Pulcipher of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group with their B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Ralph E. Pulcipher crew, 547BS, 384BG. Lost on Sept. 6, 1943 aboard B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5843, SO*S. 7 POW, 3 EVD (their 14th mission).' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp]. Caption from Tim Bivens: 'I recently obtained the enclosed pix from Mr. William McLain who flew in the 384th BG
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-729432
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

A B-17F Flying Fortress (SO-S, serial number 42-5843) nicknamed "Black Ghost" of the 547th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'B-17F-25-VE "Black Ghost" 42-5483 SO*S, 547BS 384BG. Lost Sept 6. 1943, R. Pulcipher crew.' On reverse: From Tim Bivens Collection [Stamp].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Black Ghost
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

17 March 1918

Other

Evaded

Hollland 6 September 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1455

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

E&E Report #220
2016-01-24 Information consolidated from duplicate record at: http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/158314

Date
Contributorbombercommand
Changes
Sources

384thbombgroup.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Merle Johnson: Gallery (1 items)