Production-block:
B-17F-1-BO: 41-24340 to 41-24389
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 92nd Bomb Group
- 97th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 414th Bomb Squadron
MACR: 642
Missions: 97
History of
B-17 41-24342 / Stinky Jr.
Assigned 92BG Bovingdon 8/42; 414BS/97BG Polebrook 24/8/42; transferred Maison Blanche, Alg. 20/11/42; Missing in Action Foggia 7/9/43 with Bill Bispham, Pilot: Everett Blogg, Navigator: Glenn J. Rhodes Jr., Co-pilot: Dan Grover, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Roy Dudgeon, Radio Operator: Casimir Chester, Ball turret gunner: Myron Johnson, Waist gunner: Edwin Grogan, Waist gunner: Albt Cahill,Tail gunner: Morton Schlesinger (8 Killed in Action); Missing Air Crew Report 642. STINKY JR.
Last updated: 26. July 2023
B-17 41-24342 / Stinky Jr. Details
The reason for my brevity on the formation you seek is this:
We were on our I.P. When we received a direct hit by flak on our right wing, tearing it completely off. I was thrown violently on my back in the waist and couldn’t move due to pull of gravity. That’s the last I remember until I regained consciousness three days later in the hospital at Forli, Italy. As to the fates of fellow crew members, the little (unreadable word) information I gleaned was from my co-pilot and German soldiers. I have not talked, seen, or wrote to any (unreadable word) members that saw us go down.
Our co-pilot tells me that soon after we were hit, our ship exploded into bits
We were shot down over Foggia, Italy.
S/Sgt. Myron W. Johnson
B-17 41-24342 / Stinky Jr. Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | William A. Bispham | KIA | MACR 642 |
| CP | 2LT | Glenn J. Rhodes | POW | MACR 642 |
| NAV | 2LT | Everett W. Blagg | KIA | MACR 642 |
| BOMB | 2LT | Dan F. Grover | POW | MACR 642 |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Roy L. Dudgeon | KIA | MACR 642 |
| RO | S/SGT | Edwin F. Grogan | KIA | MACR 642 |
| BT | SGT | Morton J. Schlesinger | KIA | MACR 642 |
| WG | S/SGT | Myron W. Johnson | POW | MACR 642 |
| WG | S/SGT | Casimer A. Chester | KIA | MACR 642 |
| TG | SGT | Albert E. Cahill | KIA | MACR 642 |
08. August 2019 access_time 2:42
This is to update the information for B-17 # 41-24342, nicknamed Stinky, Jr. My dad, Glenn J. Rhodes, Jr. was the Pilot, not the Bombardier. Additionally, there were three known survivors; my dad, Myron Johnson, Waist Gunner, and a third individual who I am still trying to identify. The summary should read “7 killed in action.”
Thank you.
Deb Wittner
08. August 2019 access_time 11:13
Thank you for the information.
08. August 2020 access_time 16:56
Bispham was the pilot, not Rhodes
09. December 2019 access_time 1:23
Hello!
I have identified the third survivor of Stinky Jr.’s crash. (# 41-24342) Dan Grover was the Flight engineer/top turret gunner on that flight, and he survived the crash. The summary should read “7 killed in action.” That part is correct.
Thanks so much.
Deb Wittner