Conrad Melver Blalock

Military

Navigator, Putek crew. 381st BG, 535th BS, 8th AF. Returned to England after an explosion and ensuing fire near the top turret while enroute to Nancy a/f, FR on 6 Feb 1944 in B-17G #42-40025 'Touch the Button Nell'. Mission #66. The pilot gave the bailout order which was followed by Lt Blalock, the bombardier and the co-pilot. The ETTG was able to extinguish the fire and assist in landing the aircraft at a B-24 patrol base at Dunkeswell, England. Evaded (EVD). EVD report 546.

Lt Blalock was assisted by French farmers and the French Underground. He returned to England 3 April 1944.

Salem, NC

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 381st Bomb Group.

381st Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

James W Bomar

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18105856
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Herbert J Burgasser

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32731258
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Harvey L Christensen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-741470
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Alfred M Coffman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-694336
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Lifford E French

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 34335103
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer; Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

42-40025

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Touch the Button Nell
  • Unit: 381st Bomb Group 535th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Salem, NC 28655, USA 1 December 1918

Based

27 November 1943

Other

Evaded

France 6 February 1944 - 3 April 1944 EVD report 546

Revisions

Date
ContributorARowe95
Changes
Sources

ARowe95

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces