David Lloyd Butcher

Military

media-395077.jpg FRE 5134 The insignia of the 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group. Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 5134 - The insignia of the 545th Bomb Squadron, 384th Bomb Group.

David Butcher was Tail Gunner on board B-17 #42-3235 "Lakanuki", shot down 4 July 1943 over France. Missing Air Crew Report MACR #3035. EVADED - Escape and Evasion Report #483.

Connections

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Units served with

384th Bomb Group

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

545th Bomb Squadron

Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
Air Force: Eighth Air Force
Type Category: Bombardment

People

Thomas Henry Brzoznowski

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 16056228 at enlistment, then O-735948
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Bombardier

James Thomas Carter

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 6950609
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

Kenneth Eldon Christensen

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 38130722
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Role/Job: Waist Gunner

James Claybourne Crouch

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 15095103 at enlistment, then O-797275
Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
Role/Job: Navigator

Jack Davidson

Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
Nationality: American
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron
Service Numbers: 35327696
Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner

Aircraft

42-3235

Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
Nicknames: Lakanuki
Unit: 384th Bomb Group 545th Bomb Squadron

Missions

VIII Bomber Command 71

Date: 4 July 1943

Places

Grafton Underwood

Site type: Airfield
Known as: Grafton Undermud

Events

Event	Location	Date	Description
Born	Illinois, USA	11 March 1918
Enlisted	Detroit, MI, USA	21 August 1940	Residence: Washtenaw County, Michigan Private, Air Corps
Other Assigned	Wendover, UT 84083, USA	11 March 1943	Assigned to the 384th Bombardment Group on Gowen Field (Boise, Idaho) Special Orders #70 dated 11 March 1943, Lawrence Wayne Myer Crew. Two combat missions.
Other Evaded	France	4 July 1943 - 17 March 1944	Bailed out of the crippled B-17 and landed near the crash in the Sarthe Department, France. Helped by French citizens and Resistance members, he was clothed, fed, sheltered and guided to Le Mans, Chenu, Tours, Paris, Toulouse, crossing the Franco-Spanish border on 23 February 1944. Arrived in Gibraltar on 17 March 1944 from where he left by plane to England on 19 March 1944. Escape & Evasion Report E&E 483.
Died	Saint Louis, Missouri, United States	19 April 2004