42-31955

Delivered Cheyenne 9/1/44; Savannah 24/1/44; Assigned 508BS/351BG [YB-K] Polebrook 29/2/44; Missing in Action {13m} Oranienburg 18/4/44 with Ed Apperson, Co-pilot: John Ledyard, Navigator: Bill Connors, Bombardier: Hal Marsh, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dave Gaitskill, Radio Operator: Don Johnson, Ball turret gunner: Ray Bailey, Waist gunner: Larry Kuslach, Waist gunner: Bernie Mandella (9 Prisoner of War);Tail gunner: Chas Matthews (KIA-slipped out of chute harness); flak set fire to bomb bay and right wing, crew bailed and ship force landed Bergsdorf/Ausbau, NW of Berlin, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 4049.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.

351st Bomb Group

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

People

Edward B Apperson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Raymond E Bailey

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner

William E Connors

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator

David R Gaitskill

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35452972
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner

Donald E Johnson

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 508th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 18 April 1944

Revisions

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 4049 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database