Source:
www.fold3.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 381st Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 533rd Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | VP-W |
| MACR | 10203 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by mechanical fault (25 September 1944) |
| Missions: | 65 |
History of
B-17 42-31570 / Lucky Me
Delivered Denver 24/11/43; Kearney 11/12/43; Romulus 18/12/43; Presque Is 20/12/43; Assigned: 533BS/381BG [VP-W] Ridgewell 2/2/44; MIA {65m} Frankfurt 25/9/44 Pilot: Oscar Gills, Co-Pilot: Chas Prenatt, Navigator: Don Adams, Bombardier: Bill Rudisill, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Paul Parks, Radio Operator: Minor Stowe, Ball Turret Gunner: Shelby Cook, Waist Gunner: Leo Krainz, Tail Gunner: Harry Mourning (9POW); mech fault, crashed St Goar, Germany. MACR 10203. LUCKY ME!
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-31570 / Lucky Me Details
E/A opposition was nil. Flak was meager, low barrage fire at target area. None accounted for en route in formation.
The A/C was last seen with #2 engine smoking. Then he pulled away from his position and dropped back on our left wing. The left wing burst into fire but he still was under control when last seen.
5 parachutes seen in delayed jumps, last seen falling through the clouds at about 20000 ft.
Source: MACR 10203
B-17 42-31570 / Lucky Me Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Oscar W. Gills | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Charles R. Prenatt | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Donald K. Adams | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | William P. Rudisill | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Paul E. Parks | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Minor E. Stowe | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Shelby W. Cook | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Leo V. Krainz | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Harold A. Mourning | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 05 September 2020
22. August 2022 access_time 8:54
My grandfather was a tail gunner on the Lucky Me. He was injured and sent stateside before the plane went down. He died when my mom was 8. I’ve read mission notes where he was mentioned but the website shut down. Do you have any information on a Robert Conklin? I think his nickname was Corky. Thanks.
04. April 2024 access_time 7:06
My dad flew on Lucky Me on it’s final mission before it went down over Germany. My father and 8 others were captured and spent 8 months in a POW camp. He just recently died in October of 2020. He had a wonderful life, and used to say to us often, “Lucky Me!”