Charles William Estes

Military
media-26164.jpeg UPL 26164 1st Lt Charles W Estes 596BS, 397BG, 9AF.

Object Number - UPL 26164 - 1st Lt Charles W Estes 596BS, 397BG, 9AF.

Assigned to 596BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to the railroad bridge at Eller, Germany on the Mosel River. Hit by direct flak hit, A/C came apart at the turret and crashed NE of St Vith. No chutes observed. Killed in Action (KIA). 23-Dec-44. MACR 11483.



Awards: PH.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-693635
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16187391
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Armorer/Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38449367
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12029144
  • Highest Rank: Private
  • Role/Job: Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-26 Marauder
  • Nicknames: Bank Nite Betty
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 596th Bomb Squadron

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.
  • Date: 23 December 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Caldwell County, MO, USA 5 January 1919 Son of James Floyd and Lela [Fowler] Estes.

Enlisted

Fort Leonard Wood, MO 65473, USA 26 January 1942 Fort Leonard Wood Missouri

Died

St Vith, Belgium 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) bombing mission to the railroad bridge at Eller, Germany on the Mosel River. Hit by direct flak hit, A/C came apart at the turret and crashed NE of St Vith. No chutes observed. KIA. MACR 11483.

Buried

St. Louis, MO, USA 6 September 1950 Interred Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery St Louis Missouri
Polo, MO 64671, USA

Based

Rivenhall 23 December 1944 Assigned to 596BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF.

Charles William Estes: Gallery (2 items)