42-37890 Rovin’ romona ii/big friend
Object Number - UPL 44562 - The stele in Brix, France in memory of the 9 crew members who were killed in the crash of B-17 #42-37890 on 20 March 1944. “They gave their lives...
Delivered Denver 4/10/43; Gr Island 24/10/43; Assigned 568BS/390BG [BI-R] Framlingham 8/11/43. Missing in Action La Glacerie (33m) on 20 March 1944 with Richard L. Mann, Co-pilot: John E. Vaughan, Navigator: McKinnon Cameron, Bombardier: Walter J. Kwoka, Radio Operator: Bernard A. Anderson, Ball Turret gunner: Raymond Zucco, Left Waist gunner: Robert T. Wedemeyer, Right Waist gunner: Walter E. Hermenau, Tail gunner: Mark I. Overstreet (9 Killed in Action). Flight engineer/Top Turret gunner: Jesse W. Roberts (POW- blew out of ship and captured near crash site). Flak hit the Fortress, which exploded before all the crew could bail out. Crashed near Brix, 6km NW of Valognes, 20km SE of Cherbourg, France. Missing Air Crew Report-MACR 4169. ROVIN’ ROMONA II/BIG FRIEND.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 571st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18216616
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 12037589
- Highest Rank: Corporal
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32686782
- Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
- Role/Job: Radio Operator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 13081862 at enlistment, then O-756939
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 390th Bomb Group 568th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 32363766
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Flight Engineer
Places
![A bomber crew of the 390th Bomb Group with their B-17 Flying Fortress ( serial number 42-31027) nicknamed "Honey Chile" and their dog and monkey mascots "Scrappy" and "Joe". Image stamped on reverse: ‘Fox.’ [stamp], ‘passed for publication 25 Oct 1943.’ [stamp] and ‘289774.’ [Censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: ‘AERIAL MASCOTS OF FORTRESS CREWS. PH/MoN. As frisky and friendly a pair of aerial mascots as you'll find in Britain are "Scrappy" and "Joe", pup and monkey team belonging to the](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380433.jpg.webp?itok=L7HbOA_i)
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Parham
Missions
- Date: 20 April 1944
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Brix, near Valognes, France | 20 April 1944 | crashed near Brix, 6km NW of Valognes, France |