René L Burtner Jr

Military
media-6391.jpeg UPL 6391 (L-R) René L Burtner Jr, Robert D Erwin and Bert M Montague pose by the tail of Captain Burtner's P-51D, serial number 44-72366 coded IV-D of the 369th Fighter Squadron, which was nicknamed "Hubert" from the cartoon character of the same name. The horizontal stripes on the tail fin indicate that René was a flight leader and are a pre-war embelishment that was reintroduced after VE Day.

Added photo via René L Burtner

Object Number - UPL 6391 - (L-R) René L Burtner Jr, Robert D Erwin and Bert M Montague pose by the tail of Captain Burtner's P-51D, serial number 44-72366 coded IV-D of the...

Assigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) escort to Saint Dizier. Crashed near Sompuis on 18 Aug 44 in P-51B serial number 43-12186, assigned aircraft of Captain Gilbert R Ralston Jr. Hit by flak while strafing airdrome and evaded capture with help from the Maquis. Evaded (EVD). Returned to military control. See Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 8126).

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 368th Fighter Squadron 369th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Hubert
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Hubert
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron
Three P-51 Mustangs of the 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group fly together in formation. The aircraft foreground to background are: (IV-P, serial number 44-14543) nicknamed "Precious Pat", piloted by Lieutenant Ralston; (IV-Z, serial number 44-15007) piloted by Lieutenant Klem; and (IV-D, serial number 44-15394). First handwritten caption on reverse: 'November 15 1944- 369th FS Lts. Ralston (P), Klem (Z), [illegible] (D).' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '15/11/44 369th Fighter Squadron, 3
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Unit: 359th Fighter Group 369th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Enlisted

Miami Beach, FL, USA 25 February 1943

Other

Crashed

Ocala International Airport, 750 SW 60th Ave, Ocala, FL 34474, USA 23 August 1943 Landing Accident Ground Loop Taylor Field, FL Cat 3 Damage Lt Rene L Burtner, 23-Aug-43. PT-17A 41-25257 - 57 AAFFTD

Based

East Wretham 2 August 1944 Assigned to 369FS, 359FG, 8AF USAAF.

Other

Evaded (EVD)

Sompuis, France 18 August 1944 Evaded (EVD). Crashed near Sompuis on 18 Aug 44 in P-51B serial number 43-12186, assigned aircraft of Captain Gilbert R Ralston Jr. Hit by flak while strafing airdrome and evaded capture with help from the Maquis. Returned to military control. See Missing Air Crew Report (MACR 8126).

Other

Promotion

Wretham, Thetford, Norfolk IP24, UK 27 November 1944 Promoted to First Lieutenant.

Other

Crashed

Sint-Truiden, Belgium 28 February 1945 Force-landed 28-Feb-45 ALG St Trond/A-92 Belgium - Lt Rene L Burtner P-51D 44-15739 369 359 8AF.

Other

Promotion

Wretham, Thetford IP24, UK 5 April 1945 Promoted to Captain.

Born

Washington DC

Other

End Tour of Duty (ETD)

England, UK Ended Tour of Duty (ETD).

Revisions

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Combined information in two entries for Rene Burtner into this entry. Now includes information from the following source:
MACR 8126 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
ContributorPyker
Changes
Sources

Added personal data.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8126 / Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

René L Burtner: Gallery (5 items)