42-39781 Career Girl

media-44956.png UPL 44956 The George W. Luke crew at Molesworth, 21 November 1943.
Standing, left to right :
Leonard L. Dahnke, Bombardier; Gordon A. Ballagh, Navigator; Frank Mitchell, Co-Pilot; George W. Luke Jr, Pilot. Front, from left to right : Elwood D. Yaekel, Left Waist gunner; Robert H. Washburn, Ball Turret gunner; Millard A. Boren, Engineer/Top Turret gunner; Sherman G. Wright, Right Waist gunner; Ira J. Walter, Tail gunner and Ben T. Day, Radio Operator. (Official USAAF photo – NARA)

Official USAAF photo – NARA

Object Number - UPL 44956 - The George W. Luke crew at Molesworth, 21 November 1943. Standing, left to right : Leonard L. Dahnke, Bombardier; Gordon A. Ballagh, Navigator;...

Delivered Long Beach 29/8/43; Scott 19/9/43; Assigned 360BS/303BG [PU- ] Molesworth 18/10/43. Flew on 4 missions. Missing in Action on the raid to Solingen, Germany 1 December 1943 with Pilot George W. Luke Jr, Navigator: Gordon A. Ballagh, Bombardier: Leonard L. Dahnke, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Millard A. Boren, Radio Operator: Ben T. Day, Left Waist gunner: Elwood D. Yeakel, Right Waist gunner: Sherman G. Wright, Ball turret gunner: Robert H. Washburn, Tail gunner: Ira J. Walter (9 Prisoners of War). Co-pilot: Frank Mitchell (evaded capture). Flak, crashed Radinghem-en-Weppes, 10km West of Lille (Nord Department), France. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 1325.

Connections

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Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12051907 at enlistment, then O-671085
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37232879
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19082184 at enlistment, then O-678377
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18217123
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 360th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14101673 at enlistment, then O-679083
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Places

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a unit connection to the 8th AF since the 303rd BG is part of 8th AF.

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 1325

Date
ContributorWDahnke
Changes
Sources

Corrected spelling of my father's first name: "Leon" to "Leonard"

Date
ContributorWDahnke
Changes
Sources

My father (2nd Lt. Leonard L Dahnke) was on the three missions that "Career Girl" executed.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log / MACR 1325 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

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