42-50614 Massachusetts Girl

Nine men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a Air Force bomber plane.  Four men standing in rear and five men kneeling in front UPL 65551 UPL 65551 Bowman Crew, 859th BS, 492nd BG. Back row, left to right: Vernon Rood, Bombardier; Jock, Pilotage Navigator; William Kriegel, Navigator; James Bowman, Pilot. Front row, left to right: James Green, Engineer; Everett Newton, Waist Gunner; Howard Garrett, Radio Operator; August Bonkowski, Ball Turret Gunner; William Ryan, Waist Gunner. The Bowman Crew was one of the original crews for the 492nd BG that trained in Alamogordo, New Mexico. They were assigned to the 859th BS, designated as Crew 914. 1st Lt James Bowman signed out for a B-24J, 44-40139. In April 1944, they flew their assigned aircraft to North Pickenham, England, via the southern route. Perhaps the crew came closest to death during a training exercise on the evening of 30 Jun 44 as they were practicing night flying formations. Bowman's leader signaled for him to peel off and land. However, he was directed to the wrong base which had a short runway. No one was hurt when the plane ran off the end of the landing strip, however the plane was damaged beyond repair.
On

Object Number - UPL 65551 - Bowman Crew, 859th BS, 492nd BG. Back row, left to right: Vernon Rood, Bombardier; Jock, Pilotage Navigator; William Kriegel, Navigator; James...

Obtained by the 492nd BG from the replacement depot to replace 44-40110 lost 7 Jul 44.

Transferred to 467th BG, 788th BS

Lost: 1 Jan 45, after taking a direct hit in the nose, 6 KIA, 4 POW. MACR 11587

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 467th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33020398
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
Nine men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a Air Force bomber plane.  Four men standing in rear and five men kneeling in front
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron 788th Bomb Squadron 467th Bomb Group
  • Service Numbers: O-659448
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32718821
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-1059447
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 467th Bomb Group 788th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: T-125292
  • Highest Rank: Flight Officer
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Missions

A B-24 Liberator of the 492nd Bomb Group bombs a target near Hamburg. 

Handwritten caption on reverse: 'USAF- 492nd BG showing successful result on oil target near Hamburg, 6 Aug 1944.'
  • Date: 6 August 1944
Ten men in Air Force uniform posed in front of a military airplane.  Six men standing to the rear, four men kneeling in front.  Large canvas bags are laying in front of kneeling men
  • Date: 3 August 1944
  • Date: 1 August 1944

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Germany 1 January 1945

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the A/C nickname listed in the "Summary biography" sections of several crew including the Pilot “Arthur M Holter”.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 11587 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

42-50614: Gallery (1 items)