42-3119 Destiny's Tot
Back, left to right : Rudolph A. Thigpen, Victor Ciganek, Gerald H. Tucker, James A. Bowcock, Jarvis Allen, Albert T. Diminno
Front Left to right : Carl N. Smith, Jack A. Hargis, Capen R. Simons, William H. Turcotte.
Some men are still wearing the dry clothing supplied to them by the British Air Sea Rescue.
Détails about the men in the photo found by Victor Ciganek's daughter in the April 1985 issue of "The Ragged Irregulars" Newsletter.
Delivered Cheyenne 18/2/43; Presque 28/4/43; Assigned 322BS/91BG [LG-M] Bassingbourn 4/6/43; Missing in Action on the aircraft's 5th mission - Hamburg 26/7/43 with some members of Lt Jack A. Hargis' new crew. Hargis' crew was split up to fly their first mission with crews having flown five or more missions and so, benefit from their experience. On #42-3119 that day were Pilot Jack A. Hargis, Co-pilot: Carl N. Smith, Navigator: William H. Turcotte, Bombardier: Capen R. Simons, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Jarvis Allen, Radio Operator: Victor Ciganek, Ball turret gunner: Rudolph A. Thigpen, Waist gunner: Gerald H. Tucker, Waist gunner: Albert Diminno, Tail gunner: James A. Bowcock. The pilot ditched the plane in the North Sea and the crew managed to leave the plane before it broke in two and sank. All ten men were rescued. Five flew rapidly off in RAF Walrus L2307 and the other five boarded a second Walrus K8549, which was too heavy to take off and had to slowly taxi back to Yarmouth Harbour. #42-3119's nickname was possibly FRISCO JINNY (named for Pilot Jack Hargis' wife), but was better known as DESTINY'S TOT.
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 17020318 / O-661865
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 18103410 and O-738586
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Bombardier, Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-142904
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19071594
- Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
- Role/Job: Waist Gunner
Places
Missions
Revisions
Details found by Victor Ciganek's daughter in the April 1945 issue of "The Ragged Irregulars" Newsletter