42-2969
media-16506.jpeg
UPL 16506
Brigadier General Asa North Duncan, the first commander of the 8th Air Force, was KIA 17 November 1942, when he was aboard a B-17, 42-2969, which crashed in the Bay of Biscay while en route from England to North Africa due to engine failure.
Assigned 366BS/305BG Syracuse 17/9/42; Grafton Underwood 29/10/42; transferred 341BS/97BG Polebrook 4/11/42; en route Maison Blanche, via Gibraltar 17/11/42, with Clark Garber, Co-pilot: Josh Kaplan, Navigator: John Roysden, Bombardier: Les Birleson*, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Welcome Talbot, Radio Operator: Paul Padgett, Ball turret gunner: Roger Arendt, Waist gunner: Lilburn Haddox, Waist gunner: Arthur Spell, pass-Brig Gen Asa Duncan (8AF HQ, Chief of Staff, Major John Knox* (341BS CO) (11 Killed in Service); engine fire, aircraft crashed Bay of Biscay; (*only bodies recovered). Missing Air Crew Report 15097.
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People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Eighth Air Force
- Service Numbers: O-005142
- Highest Rank: Brigadier General
- Role/Job: 8th Air Force Chief of Staff
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-437984
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Unit: 97th Bomb Group 341st Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 15072034
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Grafton Undermud
- Site type: Airfield