Victor Henry Estes

Military

Force-landed in Switzerland on 5 September 1944 in B-17 Blues in the Night #43-37866. Interned in neutral Switzerland for a short time.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11080280
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39136243
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19089659 at enlistment, then O-717137
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1284491
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17065401 at enlistment, then O-740823
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Blues in the Night
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron

Missions

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-97904) nicknamed "Lady Janette" of the 452nd Bomb Group drops bombs over the target. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Stuttgart 5 Sept 44. 452 BG Mott A/C.'
  • Date: 5 September 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Junction, Texas 3 July 1913

Enlisted

13 January 1941 Houston, Texas

Other

Interned (INT)

Switzerland 5 September 1944 - 22 September 1944 after forced-landing in Switzerland

Died

16 July 2008 Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas

Buried

Victor Estes rests at the Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File
Veterans Gravesite Locator

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

NARA WWII Enlistment records
NARA WWII POW records

Date
ContributorED-BB
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Sources

WWII Draft card

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 8456

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8456