Merle Ross Hungerford Jr

Military
media-43787.png UPL 43787 Merle Hungerford (NARA - USAAF photo)

NARA - USAAF photo

Object Number - UPL 43787 - Merle Hungerford (NARA - USAAF photo)

Co-Pilot of B-17 #42-29664 "Jersey Bounce Jr", shot down by Flak and fighters and ditched in North Sea on the mission to Bremen on 20 December 1943. All crew returned (RTD) - No MACR. Was Pilot of B-17F #42-3029 "Wallaroo", shot down by Flak on mission to V-weapons site at Le Meillard, France on 14 January 1944. Prisoner of War (POW).

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16061078 / O-742551
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-752544
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 13084785
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18118979
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31192480
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jersey Bounce Jr.
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron
Ground personnel of the 303rd Bomb Group prepare to load bombs into a B-17 Flying Fortress nicknamed "Wallaroo". Passed as censored, then marked 'Confidential' 27 Aug 1943. Handwritten caption on reverse: '303. 27-8-43 A.' On reverse: 'Confidential Until Re-Classified By Censor' and US Army Press Censor ETO [Stamps].
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Wallaroo
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 358th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Prisoners of war, including Colonel Hubert Zemke of the 479th Fighter Group at Stalag Luft I.
  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag Luft I, Barth, Germany

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Talequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States 14 June 1918 Talequah, Cherokee County, Oklahoma, United States

Enlisted

25 November 1940 Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas

Other

Prisoner Of War (POW)

14 January 1944 Interned at Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany. NARA WWII POW database : " Returned to military control (RMC) 12 June 1945."

Died

23 November 2004
El Paso, Texas

Buried

Merle Hungerford rests at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Houston, Texas

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
WWII Draft Card
NARA WWII POW records
SSDI (Social Security Death Index)

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA Air Force Award Cards

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR # 1965

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Roll of Honor; MACR 1965, 8th AF Losses

Merle Ross Hungerford: Gallery (2 items)