| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-10-VE: 42-39958 to 42-40057 |
| Delievered: | Long Beach |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 99th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 347th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR: | 2707 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (25 February 1944) |
| Missions: | 25 |
History of
B-17 42-40055
Delivered Long Beach 16/11/43; Gr Island 27/11/43; Assigned 347BS/99BG Tortorella 21/12/43; {25m} Missing in Action Regensburg 25/2/44 with Louis Kirkpatrick, Nicks, Sienke, Florence, Busick, Peltier, St Amand, Cole, Sabloski, Verzyl; crashed near Murau, Ger ?; Missing Air Crew Report 2707.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-40055 Details
Eyewitness Statements
I was flying as tail gunner on B-17G 31615 which occupied the lead plane position of the second element in our squadron of the group formation. The date was 25 February 1944 and our mission was to take us to Regensburg, Germany.
About one hour from the target I noticed what appeared to be just one enemy fighter attacking B-17G 42-40055, our right wing plane, after which it dropped down and back gradually and apparently under control.
A few minutes later several fighters again made passes at the plane. I then observed four (4) or possibly more parachutes near the B-17. I couldn’t give too much attention to the plane as I was busy with the fighters myself. Following the appearance of the chutes the fighters did not further molest the plane and 055 spiraled slowly downwards at my last observation.
S/Sgt. Phillip A. Frank
Source: MACR 2707
B-17 42-40055 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Louis Kirkpatrick | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | James E. Nick | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Joseph M. Sienko | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Calvin A. Florence | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Anthony Bubick | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Leo J. St. Amand | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Clarence T. Cole | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Frank Sabloski | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Robert G. Peltier | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Edward H. Versyl | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 18 January 2026
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