43-34434 Draggin Lady III

media-26224.jpeg UPL 26224 Capt Mont F Stephensen at the nose wheel of B-26 43-34434 'Draggin Lady III' 599BS, 397BG, 9AF.

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=31042640&PIpi=19…

Object Number - UPL 26224 - Capt Mont F Stephensen at the nose wheel of B-26 43-34434 'Draggin Lady III' 599BS, 397BG, 9AF.

Assigned to 599BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF. 18 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Eller Railroad bridge, Germany shot down by enemy fighters, crashed near Demerath. 9 x KIA 23-12-44 MACR 11490.



Crew: Pilot Capt Mont F Stephensen [UT], Copilot 2Lt John L Grapes [OK], Nav 1Lt Robert J Kinney [MA], Bomb 1Lt Elmer R Borden [CA], Gee operator 1Lt Laverne F Grundman [MI], Eng S/Sgt Lynn E Rose Jr [KS], Radio T/Sgt William E Bower [OH], Tail S/Sgt Harry W Watson [WV], Eng/Gunner S/Sgt James V Galati [MN](All MIA/KIA).

Connections

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

Units served with

A B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-96191) nicknamed "The Milk Run Special" of the 397th Bomb Group at Steeple Morden, 1945. Image by Alexander "Cal" Sloan. Written on slide casing: '296191, 397 BG.'

397th Bomb Group

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

People

Mont Fermore Stephensen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 397th Bomb Group 599th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19072647 / O-727795
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bomber pilot

Places

Missions

The nose art of a B-26 Marauder (serial number 42-95865) nicknamed "Sky Hag" of the 391st Bomb Group.

757

  • Date: 23 December 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Failed to Return (FTR)

54552 Demerath, Germany 23 December 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Eller Railroad bridge, Germany shot down by enemy fighters, crashed near Demerath. 9 x KIA 23-12-44 MACR 11490.

Manufactured

Offutt AFB, NE, USA Built at Martin.

Delivered

Nebraska, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Assigned

Rivenhall, Witham CM8, UK Assigned to 599BS, 397BG, 9AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com
https://www.fold3.com/image/46702112
http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm

Date
Contributormarkstid
Changes
Sources

To correct spelling of name: Capt. Mont Stephensen. Also, I believe all of the crew was listed as MIA and later all were classified KIA. Capt. Stephensen's remains were buried by townspeople and were recovered and repatriated by US Army Graves Registration to his hometown of Riverton, UT. His younger brother was Col. Mark Stephensen, USAF, MIA/KIA/remains returned, North Vietnam and is buried with his brother, Capt. Mont Stephensen.

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/dbmdate.asp?thedate=441223&Submi…
https://www.fold3.com/image/46702112
http://www.b26.com/page/marauder_missions_december_23_1944.htm

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11490 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-34434: Gallery (1 items)

Object number: UPL 26224 - Capt Mont F Stephensen at the nose wheel of B-26...