41-31721 Cactus Jack
Shared with the museum by 387th Bomb Group navigator Joseph J Rosa's son, Michael Fontanarosa.
Object Number - UPL 28145 - B-26B serial number 41-31721 of the 559th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb Group.
B-26B-20-MA 41-31721 "Cactus Jack" was assigned to the 387BG/559BS at Chipping Onger, UK. The aircraft was despatched on a mission to bomb the German airfield of Beauvais/Tille, France. During the attack the aircraft sustained damage from AA fire and was abandoned by the crew two miles northwest of the target. 5POW 2EVD MACR 614.
P MAJ William T. Boren (EVD); CP 2LT Charles R. Esparza (POW)
N 1LT Joseph J. Rosa (POW); B 1LT Henry L. Mercer (POW)
EG SSGT James Beaman (POW); RG TSGT John L. Connell (EVD)
G SSGT Francis W. Anderson (POW)
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 11072026
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Tail Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 34148279
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
- Role/Job: Engineer / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-406516
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 16095412
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
- Role/Job: Radio Operator / Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 387th Bomb Group 559th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-737938
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Willingale
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other Failed to Return (FTR) |
Beauvais, France | 21 September 1943 | Aircraft sustained dmdge from gorund fire during the attack and crashed two miles north-west of the German airfield at Beauvais/Tille, France. Crew baled out/ |
Revisions
Lee Cunningham 26-Jun-2015. Added loss details and map location to FTR event, Added Description and crew position, rank, full proper name and dispostion of all crew members, foramtted crew display based on "Losses of the 8th & 9th Air Forces", Stan Bishop & John A. Hey MBE and Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 614.
MACR 614 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database
