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
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- 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
- Site type: Airfield
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Four of a Kind
- Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron 527th Bomb Squadron
Revisions
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.
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…