David Charles Besbris

Military
media-24732.png UPL 24732 Caption : “Lt. Thornton and crew of the 92nd Bomb Group beside a Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress”. England, 15 November 1943.” (Official USAAF photo).

Note : Lt Thornton was shot down with his crew on the following day’s mission to Knaben, Norway on board B-17 “Flagship” # 42-29996 - Lt Thornton is standing, 5th from left top row and the only other identifiable man is Right Waist Gunner S/Sgt Otto F. Trammer, 2nd from left top row.

The others are most probably Co-Pilot 2nd Lt Whitney M. Bray; Navigator 2nd Lt David C. Besbris; Bombardier 2nd Lt Arthur A. Carmell; Top Turret Gunner S/Sgt John Geegee; Radio Operator T/Sgt Laurence E. Dennis; Ball Turret Gunner S/Sgt Dean M. Sommers; Left Waist Gunner S/Sgt Charles H. Hartnett; Tail Gunner S/Sgt Rolland A. Galloway.

Four others are members of the ground crew. S/Sgt Dean Sommers 1st from left top row. T/Sgt Laurence Dennis 1st on right, top row

JWDennis

Object Number - UPL 24732 - Caption : “Lt. Thornton and crew of the 92nd Bomb Group beside a Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress”. England, 15 November 1943.” (Official USAAF...

David Bresbis was a Navigator in the 92nd Bomb Group/407th Bomb Squadron. He was serving in that function on B-17 42-29965 when it ditched for lack of fuel in the English Channel on return from the 6-Sept-43 to Stuttgart, Germany. All ten men on board were rescued by a French boat and returned to base. Lt Bresbis was shot down on his 16th mission, the 16-Nov-43 raid to Knaben, Norway, serving as Navigator on B-17 42-29996 'Flagship'. Evaded capture with the help of Norwegian patriots. Honorably discharged on 30-Nov-46, he re-enlisted in the US Air Force on 19-Jan-52 and was released from duty on 16-Jan-53.

Awards: AM (3OLC), PH (OLC), EAME, WWII Victory.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 92nd Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 02044435
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11021187 and O-668893
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39169650
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Togglier / Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36048962
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 100th Bomb Group 92nd Bomb Group 351st Bomb Squadron 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17034210
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner/Radar Controller

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 333rd Bomb Squadron 407th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Flag ship
  • Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Connecticut, United States 29 March 1919

Enlisted

Massachusetts, United State 24 May 1942 as a Corporal in the Air Corps

Other

Rescued

English Channel 6 September 1943 Was Navigator on board of 42-29965, which went down in the Channel for lack of fuel on return from the Stuttgart mission. All ten men on board rescued by a French boat and returned to base.

Other

Bailed out

near Sirdal, Norway 16 November 1943 bailed out of B-17 # 42-29996 on the 16 November 1943 mission to Knaben, Norway. Landed in parachute near Sirdal, Norway

Other

Evaded capture

16 November 1943 - 15 March 1944 Landed in snow-covered mountains in Norway and was helped by Norwegian patriots, reaching Sweden by boat on 17 February 1944. Was back in England by air on 15 March 1944.

Died

Manhattan Beach, California, United States 2 April 1993

Born

Raynham, Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Added date of passing - SSDI - Social Security Death Index

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

Added number of missions in bio

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

added people and photo connections

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 1384
NARA WWII Enlistment records
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 453 (on-line at https://catalog.archives.gov/id/5555094 ). Its Appendix C, with more details is to be found at https://wwii-netherlands-escape-lines.com/helpers-of-allied-airmen/norw…
92nd Bomb Group website : http://92ndma.org/miscellaneous/Newsletters/catbootfish.o88.pdf

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 1384 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database / Roll of Honor; MACR 1384, Losses of the 8th & 9th AFs Vol. I by Bishop & Hey p. 268

David Charles Besbris: Gallery (1 items)