zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-10-BO: 42-31232 to 42-31331
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 388th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 563rd Bomb Squadron
Missions: 98
History of
B-17 42-31242 / Patty Jo
Delivered Cheyenne 7/10/43; Gr Island 17/10/43; Gt Falls 23/10/43; Assigned 563BS/388BG Knettishall 9/11/43; target Berlin 19/5/44 with Don Salles, Co-pilot: Homer Andrews, Navigator: Jack Barcus, Bombardier: Tom Matthews, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Don Robison, Radio Operator: Gervis Hartle, Ball turret gunner: Norman Powell, Waist gunner: Rocko Garzarelli, Waist gunner: Harry Knoche, Tail gunner: Frank Serio (10 Returned to Duty); mid-air coll with 42-38145 (452BG), crash landed Watton Afd, Nfk, UK; Salvaged 25/7/45. PATTY JO.
Last updated: 18. November 2018
B-17 42-31242 / Patty Jo Details
Mid-air-collision with B-17 #42-38145 ‘Rosalie Ann’ on 19 May 1944.
10. April 2023 access_time 16:19
My Father, Norman C. McMichael was the left waist gunner on the Patty Jo. I have pictures he took while in England. I would be happy to share these if anyone is interested in them.
Thanks, Ina J. (McMichael) Reesh
01. February 2024 access_time 19:27
Ina, My Grandather was Victor Ruiz who was the other waist gunner during the time Al flew.
I would love to share stories and would love to get any of those pictures you have!
BTW, hope you both are watching Masters of the Air on Apple TV+ about the 8th AF / 100BG.
It is their story! 🙂
Craig
01. February 2024 access_time 19:31
Ina,
One more thing. I made a documentary that talks of my Grandfather’s time with Patty Jo that includes the hand-off of Patty Jo from your Father’s crew!
Hope you enjoy!
https://vimeo.com/330273594
Craig
29. April 2023 access_time 14:56
Ina, I am Alfred Sevi, my father Alfred Sevi was also left waist gunner on PattiJo March-June 1944. Yes, thank you for for sharing. Al
01. February 2024 access_time 19:29
So great to hear from you, Al! I visited NJ to see your parents (and meet you all) in the early / mid 2000’s.
I miss those days that they were around. Hope all is well!
Best,
Craig
01. February 2024 access_time 19:26
Hello to you both! Al, we met years ago when I visited your Father’s house. My Grandather was Victor Ruiz who was the other waist gunner during the time Al flew.
I would love to share stories and would love to get any of those picture you have, Ina!
BTW, hope you both are watching MAstersof the Air on Apple TV+ about the 8th AF / 100BG.
It is their story! 🙂
Craig
15. November 2024 access_time 17:58
Hi Craig, this is Al Sevi, sevialn@aol.com. Please send me your email contact. Be glad to share Dad’s file info with you. Al
23. February 2024 access_time 4:16
Hi there everyone. My name is Seth. My grandfather was Phil McGuire, ball turret gunner on Patty Jo. Masters of the Air got me thinking about all of the stories he told to me throughout the years. There’s no telling the number of times I’ve heard the names Al Sevi and Vic Ruiz! Nice to see y’all here.
15. November 2024 access_time 18:07
Hi Seth, Al Sevi here, son of Alfred. Ditto, feel like I know Phil well. Al, sevialn@aol.com. Be glad to send you items from Dad’s file. Al
22. March 2024 access_time 0:06
My Grandfather Leonard Ranton was the Pilot of the Patty Jo – he is the one picture third in from the left (pointing to the map). The plane is named after my mother Patty Jo and that is her bassinet.
25. April 2024 access_time 15:44
Hello. I’m Wes Clarke (George Weston Clarke, Jr). My father is fourth from left in the photo of Len Ranton’s crew. He was the navigator on the crew. My father and I had dinner one night with Al Craft (fourth from right) and his wife. That was about 1998 when we lived in Dallas, Texas. As I recall, Al Craft told me that he had just turned 18 when that picture was taken. So he flew most of his 388th BG missions before turning 18. I also met Phil McGuire about that same time when he was visiting his son (I believe) in the Dallas area. I was in touch with Ina some years ago. The complete crew in the picture is:
Edwin E. Carmell – Copilot
Morris Traub – Bombardier
Leonard E. Ranton – Pilot
George W. Clarke – Navigator
Robert Baugh – Tailgunner
Richard E. Grover – Ball Turret
Alfred C. Craft – Engineer
William W. Wright – Waist Gunner
William B. Ruby – Radio Operator
Norman C. McMichael – Waist Gunner