B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-97131 / Home James

History of
B-17 42-97131 / Home James

Delivered Cheyenne 29/1/44; Kearney 15/2/44; Presque Is 25/2/44; Assigned 751BS/457BG [Z] Glatton 8/3/44; Missing in Action Genshagen 6/8/44 with Vince Frost, Navigator: Bob Danaher, Bombardier: Earl Peronto, Ball turret gunner: Dan Rice, Waist gunner: Hubert Rempp (5 Prisoner of War); Co-pilot: John Folson, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Sol Bernstein, Radio Operator: Chester Bartoszewicz, Waist gunner: Dan Taylor (4KIA- one man seen to fall without chute, snagged on wing); flak KO’d #2, crashed Michelsdorf, E of Brandenburg, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 7889. HOME JAMES.

Last updated: 7. August 2021

B-17 42-97131 / Home James Details

B-17 #42-97131, named “Home James,” and piloted by Lt Vincent L. Frost, was hit by flak over the target. The #2 engine was hit and fuel from broken gas lines ignited and soon the whole wing was ablaze. The pilot dove out of formation trying to blow out the flames but to no avail. The order was given to bail out. One of the crew, exiting from the nose escape hatch, had his parachute hang up on the ball turret and he died when the plane exploded.

B-17 42-97131 / Home James Crew