43-38273 Sugar Jo

media-23873.jpeg UPL 23873 Crew of "Sugar Jo".

Photo from collection of Robert Harris.

Object Number - UPL 23873 - Crew of "Sugar Jo".

Delivered Cheyenne 15 JUly 1944. Kearney 24 July 1944.Grenier 8 August 1944. Assigned 550BS/385BG [SG-S] Gt Ashfield 13 August 1944. Mid-air collision on 1 March 1945 (mission to Ulm, Germany.) 8 killed : Pilot Alexander Rusecky; Co-Pilot George C. Burger; Navigator Robert E. Keenan; Gunner Harry E. Clabaugh; Top Turret Gunner Charles L. Abney Jr; Radio Operator Vincent L. Verderame; Ball Turret Gunner James W. Hendon Jr and Tail Gunner Thomas K. Welch. Waist Gunner Sgt Stanley Lejkowski was the sole survivor. Salvaged 20 March 1945.

Connections

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

Units served with

The insignia of the 385th Bomb Group.

385th Bomb Group

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

People

Charles Leroy Abney

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 39551795
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

George Conrad Burger

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-782153
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Harry Edwin Clabaugh

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 36441410
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Aerial Gunner

Robert W Davis

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-680190
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Paul Gelman

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-716294
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

Aircraft

42-38035

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Mr Lucky
  • Unit: 385th Bomb Group 550th Bomb Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

near Ostend, Belgium 1 March 1945 Crashed after mid-air collision with 42-38035

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 16036

Date
ContributorAlanHarris
Changes
Sources

Added squadron.

Date
ContributorAlanHarris
Changes
Sources

Added crew picture.

Date
ContributorAlanHarris
Changes
Sources

Number and name connected through data available in 385th database at http://www.385thbga.com

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 16036 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

43-38273: Gallery (3 items)

Object number: UPL 23873 - Crew of "Sugar Jo".

Object number: UPL 36531 - Statement of Witness, Midair Collision March 1...

Object number: UPL 36532 - Report of Aircraft Accident March 1 1945 43-38273