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Source:
www.385thbga.com
Production-block:
B-17F-100-BO: 42-30332 to 42-30431
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 385th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 549th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XA-X
MACR: 2268
History of
B-17 42-30354 / Hustlin’ Hussy
Delivered: Cheyenne 23/5/43; Smoky Hill 2/6/43; Gr Isle 3/6/43; Dow Fd 20/6/43; Assigned: 549BS/385BG [XA-X] Gt Ashfield 1/7/43; MIA Frankfurt 29/1/44 Pilot: Ralph Palmer, Navigator: Bill Powell, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Art Pacha, Ball Turret Gunner: Leo Reynolds, Waist Gunner: Bill Williams (5POW); Co-Pilot: Ryal Skaggs, Bombardier: Frank Wieczerzak, Radio Operator: Bob Piaroto, Tail Gunner: Elmore Loveland (4EVD); Waist Gunner: Allen Patterson (KIA); Enemy aircraft, crashed Anderlues, six miles NW of Charleroi, Belgium. MACR 2268. SWEET 17 aka HUSTLIN’ HUSSY.
Last updated: 19. October 2018
10. June 2022 access_time 18:52
That’s actually the first crew (Jerry Mudge’s crew) in the photo. (my grandfather is second from right in the back row). They finished their 25 missions in mid-late December 1943. The Palmer crew picked up the Hussy after them.
15. November 2022 access_time 5:05
Jerry Mudge is actually my Great Uncle! Going through some old photos, original photos, news articles, editor notes for said articles, patches, a reunion packet, reunion stickers, letters, and a hand written letter/diary right now, can’t figure out who wrote the hand written letter/diary though. However it mentions the names Jim, Freitag, Emmonds, and my Great Uncle LT Mudge. So that eliminates the possibility of one of them writing it. It’s titled, [No.1] Kiel Dec. 13,1943-“Hustlin’ Hussey”. It talks about how they “made it back to the field” after one of their engines went bad during a bombing run in Kiel, Germany. It also states how it was Mudge’s 25th mission. Whoever wrote this states that he envy’s Mudge. This letter/diary entry also gives times like how he woke up at 3:30am, took off at 8am for the bombing run, and made it back to the field at 4pm.
My Great Uncle Jerome “Jerry” Mudge and his brother John Mudge, who flew a spitfire (even during Normandy) , are leading inspirations for myself as I’m interested on going into the Air Force after High School. Cheers.
27. March 2024 access_time 4:20
That’s my dad to the right of Mudge. Bill clark . All great men. Dad would always brought up Mudge in his stories. They were close.