Claus Norman Gustafson

Military
media-28904.jpeg UPL 28904 Claus Norman Gustafson. Photo taken on his return from overseas service, June 1945. He is 23 years old.

Shared with the American Air Museum by the Eighth Air Force Historical Society.

Object Number - UPL 28904 - Claus Norman Gustafson. Photo taken on his return from overseas service, June 1945. He is 23 years old.

Entered Army/Air Force in September 1942, discharged in November 1945.



Arrived in England in November 1943 when attached to 384th BG at Grafton Underwood, as a Waist Gunner on a B-17. Made 17 missions when shot down over Oberpfoffenhofen, Germany on 24 April 1944 in B-17 42-38158.



Lost 8 of crew when plane exploded. Radio/Gunner and I parachuted, were captured and ended up Prisoner of War (POW)s at Stalag 17-B in Krems, Austria. Liberated at war's end on 8 May 1945, following 300 mile march to German border.



AM w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster/ POW/ ETO w/ battle star/ GC/ PUC

Connections

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Units served with

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31053291 / O-742731
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-468423
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Patches : The Spotted Cow
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Hell's Messenger
  • Unit: 2nd Strategic Air Depot 364th Fighter Group 544th Bomb Squadron 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Duchess : Dynamite Express
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Jean
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 547th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Silver Queen
  • Unit: 384th Bomb Group 544th Bomb Squadron 547th Bomb Squadron

Places

  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Dulag Luft Grosstychow Dulag 12
  • Site type: Prisoner of war camp
  • Known as: Stalag 17b, Krems an der Donau, Austria

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Plainfield, New Jersey 22 February 1922 Son of Claus A and Hulda Gustafson.

Other

Baled out POW

Oberpfoffenhofen, Germany 24 April 1944 Shot down over Oberpfoffenhofen, Germany on 24-Apr-44 in B-17 42-38158. POW MACR 4352

Other

Prisoner of War (POW)

Krems an der Donau, Austria 24 April 1944 - 8 May 1945 Prisoner of War (POW). Stalag XVIIb.

Died

Fanwood, New Jersey 7 February 2022

Based

Grafton Underwood 24 April 1944 Assigned to 547BS, 384BG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Discharged USAAF

Honourable discharge.

Enlisted

New York City, NY New York City, New York

Revisions

Date
ContributorSean Humpage
Changes
Sources

384th Bomb Group Website

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / self, MACR 4352

Claus Norman Gustafson: Gallery (2 items)