Died 9/26/43 aboard a B-17F #42-30337 'Eight Ball' or 'Flak Hack' in the European Theater. Believed to have died from lack of oxygen due to damage to air supply in the plane during a bombing run. (not able to find squadron or info cross referencing this) Losses has no details other than Killed/died on this date. ABMC lists him with 30th Station Complement Squadron. Losses lists (390th B) 30th STN COM SQ



My name is Kenneth Howard, and am a first cousin to Noel Howard. The following is information that is explained in the text submitted.



Sometime around 2003, I was able to talk by phone with Dean Ferris, Bombardier of the  B-17 crew on the flight that Noel Howard died. Noel was my first cousin, and it was only known that he died from lack of oxygen. It is a long story about finding someone who put me in touch with Dean, so I will skip to the conversation.



Dean said that the mission that Noel died on, he was a fill in Radio operator, the regular R. O. was ill or otherwise unavailable for the flight.  Noel ran out to catch up with the crew, and introduced himself to Dean as the fill in for the mission.  Dean said he asked Noel if he was qualified also for gunnery as well as R.O., which he was. The mission took them over France, and heavy fighter aircraft was encountered,  as well as thunderstorms and turbulence. Dean said it was his duty to radio check with all crew members regularly to insure they were OK. Due to the fighter attack, he was delayed in making a scheduled oygen check, and when he did check, Noel didn't respond.  Dean then grabbed a portable oxygen tank and made his way to the R.O. station where he found Noel on the floor and unresponsive.  Also, his oxygen mask was off, and filled with frozen vomit which had clogged the mask. It was never determined whether he was airsick, or frightened causing the vomiting.  Upon return to base, an ambulance met the plane and took Noel away. Dean never saw him afterward.  A sad side note to the incident is that Dean said he never knew Noel's name until contact was made due to my attempt to learn more detail of Noel's death.  I was very grateful for his explanation, and as a result I was able to share the information with Noel's family and others.  Dean seemed pleased that after almost 60 years he finally learned who the young Radio Operator was that substituted that day, and gave his life in the process.