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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-90-BO: 42-30132 to 42-30231
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 94th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 332nd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XM-L
MACR: 1043
History of
B-17 42-30166 / Black Jack III aka You Cawn’t Miss It
Delivered Cheyenne 21/4/43; Tinker 27/4/43; Memphis 30/4/43; Presque Is 8/5/43; Assigned: 332BS/94BG [XM-L] Earls Colne 15/5/43; Rougham 13/6/43 BLACK JACK III; MIA Gelsenkirchen 5/11/43 Pilot: Jim Kilian{body washed ashore 9/12/43}, Co-Pilot: Joe Kulik, Navigator: Capt Bob Schaefer{body washed up 1/1/44}, Bombardier: Neil Damato, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Chas Ferrin, Radio Operator: Harlen Yost, Waist Gunner: Don May, Tail Gunner: Jim Pauley (8KIA); Ball Turret Gunner: Lee Deese, Waist Gunner: Joe Langford (2POW); flak hit caused explosion, ditched North Sea 300 yds W of Haamstede on Schouwen Is, Holl MACR 1043. YOU CAWN’T MISS IT.
Last updated: 1. July 2024
B-17 42-30166 / Black Jack III aka You Cawn’t Miss It Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | James K. Kilian | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Joseph F. Kulik | KIA | - |
| NAV | CPT | Robert L. Schaefer | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Neil J. Damato | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Charles C. Ferrin | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Harlen L. Yost | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Lee R. Deese | POW | - |
| WG | T/SGT | Joe N. Langford | POW | - |
| WG | T/SGT | Donald G. May | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | James C. Pauley | KIA | - |
20. May 2023 access_time 18:25
Bombardier Neil Damato was my Mom’s cousin. His brother Tony won the MOH posthumously on Engebi Island during the Marshal Island campaign. She had fond memories of both men. True heroes!
29. January 2024 access_time 10:28
Hello Michael. I live in the Netherlands. I have peronal belongings of Neil Damato. He was KIA in the Netherlands. He is mentiont on the Wall of the missing at American cemetery Margraten. I go every year to lay flowers. Would be great to come in contact with his Family 😃
14. February 2024 access_time 22:01
I can put you in contact with the Damato family. Neil’s nephew is my brother-in-law.
24. May 2024 access_time 18:14
Hello Kelly. Thank you for the reply. I would love to come in contact with the family. This Sunday is the dutch Memorial Day at the American Cemetery at Margraten Netherlands. I am going to lay flowers to 4 members of the B17 including Neil’s , at their names at the wall of the missing.
24. May 2024 access_time 20:57
Odin – I am Neil Damatos nephew – my Dad was his younger brother. Would be interested in what items you have and how you came across them. Also thank you for remembering him on Memorial Day. Jim Damato
24. May 2024 access_time 21:41
Odin – not sure if my previous reply went through. I am Neil Damatos nephew – would be great to hear what items you have that belonged to my Uncle. Thank you for remembering him on Memorial Day.
27. May 2024 access_time 14:49
Hello Jim. I have bought from someone in the Netherlands items what belonged to Neil. Such as uniform from the 45th when he was a reserve soldier. Also a lot of paperworks. I can send you pictures of it trough WhatsApp. My phone nr is 0031652318005.
30. January 2024 access_time 12:55
Dear Mr Almeranti. I have a lot of WW2 items that belonged to Neil Damato. I wish to reach out to you if you intrested? I live in the Netherlands. My phone nr is 0031652318005 Sincerely Odin
19. May 2024 access_time 19:04
Hi Odin, I am a relative of James C. Pauley, the tail gunner of You Cawn’t Miss It, who was also MIA. I have been researching him, this plane, and the crew and I just visited Rougham Air Field a couple weeks ago. I’d love to know how you came into possession of Neil Damato’s belongings and if you somehow have anything related to the other crewmen, especially James C. Pauley. Thanks Odin. I see you have also contributed to information about this plane at the American Air Museum of Britain site. Thanks for your work and honoring of their memory.
06. March 2024 access_time 4:27
My grandfather’s brother was the pilot of “you can’t miss it”. 2nd Lt James Knight Kilian
24. May 2024 access_time 19:23
hello Chad I would love to come in contact with you. I have adopted the name of Joseph kulik mentioned on the wall of the missing at the American cemetery in the Netherlands, Magraten. On this cemetery are all graves and names of the missing adopted by persons/family’s since 1944. This as purpose to show our respect and put flowers at their graves on memorially, birthdays and Christmas. Because a lot of family’s are not able to because of the distance. I would love to send you pictures of the cemetery and the Memorial Day. Sincerely odin
26. August 2024 access_time 6:08
Odin, I am very interested in Joe Kulik. My mother, Julie, met Joe during his basic training in Santa Maria, CA in 1942. They became very close and were engaged to be married prior to his departure to Europe. I have my mother’s photo album showing Joe, his aircraft and crew, in addition to other photos, and his wings. My mother became good friends with Joe’s family after his death. Thank you for adopting Joe and putting flowers out . . . would like to see a photo. Thank you.
24. May 2024 access_time 19:33
This photo is at the cemetery memorial visit center on display. They chosen several including Joseph Kulik’s one.
27. May 2024 access_time 14:18
Hello Odin, you can’t upload a picture in the comments. Please send me the picture and I will update it to my database. My email: info@b17flyingfortress.de
Cheers
Jing
26. May 2024 access_time 9:48
Hello Chad. I have adopted Joseph Kulik’s name on the wall of the missing. Would like to come in contact with you to explain what the dutch people do at the cemetery
/Users/odin/Desktop/IMG_6158.jpeg
Flowers for Memorial Day at the American cemetery Margraten Netherlands.
24. May 2024 access_time 21:05
Michael
I am Neil Damato’s nephew – Morris damato’s son. Saw your post – have you received any additional information? Also – are you from Detroit area? Jim
17. August 2023 access_time 5:39
my uncle Arthur H. Allen, Jr. flew this aircraft and You Cawnt Miss It and House of Lords and HiLo Jack. He was from Memphis and was based at Rougham Air Field in Bury-St. Edmunds. 94th BG 332nd Squadron. He was flying House of Lords when he was KIA, but the co-pilot brought the plane back to base safely. No other crew members were killed or injured.
17. August 2023 access_time 7:50
thank you for your information.
it must be this B-17 “House of Lords”:
https://b17flyingfortress.de/en/b17/42-5881-the-house-of-lords/
08. June 2024 access_time 12:06
I am trying to find the details of the cemetery in the USA where the Navigator Capt. R.L.Schaefer is buried. Can anybody help me.
Frans Auwerda SGLO (Study group Air War)
18. June 2024 access_time 4:42
Shakopee Catholic Cemetery (formerly Saint Marks Cemetery) in Shakopee, Minnesota. The family submitted an Application for Headstone in May 1949, to be sent to that cemetery. The Minneapolis newspaper carried an announcement of funeral services and an internment that same month at that cemetery. Info found on Ancestry.com (US)