Production-block:
B-17G-10-VE: 42-39958 to 42-40057
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 384th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 544th Bomb Squadron
- 546th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: SU-V, BK-V
MACR: 2741
Missions: 14
History of
B-17 42-39991 / Look Homward Angel
Delivered Long Beach 28/10/43; Kearney 13/11/43; ass 544BS/384BG [SU-V] Grafton Underwood 8/1/44; 546BS [BK-V]; MIA Bonn (Cologne) 4/3/44 Pilot: Walt Carpenter{died from injuries while in hospital}, Bombardier: Murray Altman (2KIA); Co-Pilot: John Kennedy, Navigator: Carl Hedin, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Dwight McCracken, Radio Operator: Wayne Fallesen, Ball Turret Gunner: Ed O’Leary, Waist Gunner: Don Girard (7POW); Waist Gunner: Bernie Zyglowicz, Tail Gunner: Clarry Leibring (2EVD); flak, crashed Blangemont, nine miles SW of St Pol, Fr; MACR 2741.
Last updated: 15. June 2018
B-17 42-39991 / Look Homward Angel Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Walter Richard Carpentder | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | John Benton Kennedy, Jr. | POW | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Carl Anton Hedin | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Murray David Altman | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Dwight Howard McCraken | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Wayne Peter Fallesen | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Edward Joseph O'Leary | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Donald Robert Girard | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Bernard Frank Zyglowicz | EVD | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Clarence Paul Leibring | EVD | - |
26. December 2020 access_time 22:18
My Father, Donald Girard, was the left waist gunner on this crew. I’d like to make some subtle changes to this listing. Firstly, it’s “Look Homeward Angel”, the “e” is missing in Homeward. The pilot, Walter R. Carpenter, died of wounds suffered during fighter attacks, not from injuries. The aircraft received a flak burst in the bombay door retraction gear, leaving the doors stuck wide open. The resulting drag forced them to leave formation to try to get home alone. Passing over Pas de Calais, they were jumped by several Bf-109s who made repeated head-on attacks. It was during these attacks that Murray Altman was killed. A smoking wing prompted Lt. Carpenter to order the crew to jump. At this time Lt. Carpenter was badly wounded in the legs and could not leave his seat, a fact he kept from the crew.
The pilot’s armored windscreen was nearly opaque from enemy fire. Though badly wounded, Lt. Carpenter, leaning out the side window, landed, wheels-up, in a plowed field.