41-24564 Patches (was originally named Cunningham's Coffin after the pilot, but no nose art carried)

media-27906.jpeg UPL 27906 305th Bomb Group crew in front of B-17 #41-24564 'Patches', 5 June 1943.
Back row, left to right: ?, ?, 1/Lt Bertram H Kaplan, ?, ?, ?
Front row, left to right: ?, ?, ?, 1/Lt Stanley M Van Dyke with mascot teddy bear, Capt Cunningham

Crew members identified by user 'patootie' on Fold3: https://www.fold3.com/image/161228954

Object Number - UPL 27906 - 305th Bomb Group crew in front of B-17 #41-24564 'Patches', 5 June 1943. Back row, left to right: ?, ?, 1/Lt Bertram H Kaplan, ?, ?, ? Front row,...

Assigned 365BS/305BG [XK-W] Presque Is 19/10/42; Grafton Underwood 25/10/42.\

Missing in Action Schweinfurt 17/8/43 with Doug Mutschler, Co-pilot: Ed Carter, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Carlton Boberg (3 Killed in Action), Navigator: Bill Bagwell, Bombardier: Wendell Luce, Radio Operator: Whitney Simon, Ball turret gunner: Lee Quinliven, Waist gunner: Meyer Baker, Waist gunner: Tony Buckley, Tail gunner: Erwin Grundman (7 Prisoner of War).

Crashed Averbode, five miles NW Diest, Bel. 

Missing Air Crew Report 300.

PATCHES.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem, 305th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 305th Bomb Group 365th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 17 August 1943

Revisions

Date
ContributorStevie B17
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Sources
Date
Contributorjmoore43
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Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
Contributoroconnornj
Changes
Date
Contributorcharlieb
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Mission list the plane could not find formation and had to abort

Date
Contributorcharlieb
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INTERNET PHOTO

Date
Contributorcharlieb
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mission log 26/6/43

Date
Contributorcharlieb
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Get One A/C Group 8th af

Date
Contributorcharlieb
Changes
Sources

Get One A/C Group 8thaf

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 300 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-24564: Gallery (1 items)