42-97528 Mary's Sister

Delivered Cheyenne 13/12/43; Kearney 30/12/43; Grenier 29/1/44; Assigned 563BS/388BG Knettishall 9/2/44; battle damaged Frankfurt 5/1/45 with Jim Ruether, Co-pilot: Ray Helminiak, Radio Operator: Ray Ward (3 RTD – all WIA); Navigator: H.W. Swanson, togg-J. Haskett, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Fred Thielske, Ball turret gunner: Martin Smith, Waist gunner: A. Kiss, Tail gunner: Virgil Koon (6 Killed in Action); flak burst in heavy cloud and attempted to drop down for home, crash landed RAF Hawkinge, Kent, UK; Salvaged 6/1/45. MARY'S SISTER.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 452nd Bomb Group 730th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 562nd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38002619
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33841858
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier / Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 563rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35884253
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Places

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Four of a Kind
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron 527th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added an association to the 8th AF.
Added associations to the 388th Bomb Group & to the 563rd Bomb Squadron as listed in the A/C #43-37777 description section.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.
Added the Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet.
SOURCE: https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/production-block/b-17g-15-ve-42-97436-4…

Date
Contributorram957
Changes
Sources

388th BG Association Records

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log