42-31114 Prowlin Tom

media-44709.jpeg UPL 44709 B-17G-BO 42-31114 PROWLING TOM, 390th BG, 1944 after nose repair.

Comparison to same aircraft prior to nose damage.

Object Number - UPL 44709 - B-17G-BO 42-31114 PROWLING TOM, 390th BG, 1944 after nose repair.

Delivered Cheyenne 21/9/43; Gr Island 6/10/43; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-G] Framlingham 25/10/43; Missing in Action Orleans 8/6/44 with Edwin Sechrist, Navigator: Vital Turmenne, tog-S/Sgt Henry Wilson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Merrill Caldwell, Radio Operator: Lou Lewis, Ball turret gunner: Wendell Oge, Waist gunner: Bob Tucker, Waist gunner: Mike Ruta (8 evaded capture); Co-pilot: Jim Duncan (Prisoner of War); Tail gunner: Dave Helps (Killed in Action); flak, crashed Maissemy, six miles NW of St Quentin, Fr. Missing Air Crew Report 5479. PROWLIN' TOM.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 390th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37334432
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Ball Turret Gunner / Top Turret Gunner / Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator, Radio Operator Gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

8 June 1944

Revisions

Date
Contributorujustwaite
Changes
Sources

I was just watching an episode of Public Television's Antique Roadshow and a woman was having a flight jacket belonging to a Prowling Tom crew member. The font on the jacket paint matched the nose art and had a black cat coming out of a cloud. She described the crew member as having survived and having parachuted receiving shrapnel wounds to the shoulder. 

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

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

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 5479 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-31114: Gallery (4 items)