Production-block:
B-17F-15-BO: 41-24490 to 41-24503
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 306th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 367th Bomb Squadron
History of
B-17 41-24495 / Rose O’ Day
Assigned 367BS/306BG Westover 17-Aug-42; Thurleigh 13-Oct-42; Missing in Action 20-Dec- 42 while on a mission to bomb the German air depot at Romilly-sur-Seine, France. Shot down by enemy aircraft, crashed Creil, France. 1KIA 8POW 1EVD. No MACR issued.
Last updated: 4. November 2017
B-17 41-24495 / Rose O’ Day Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 1LT | John R. McKee | EVD | - |
CP | 2LT | Leonard E. Hamaker | POW | - |
NAV | 1LT | Thomas S. Marchant | POW | - |
BOMB | 2LT | George L. Matthews | POW | - |
ENG/TT | T/SGT | Stanley C. Garner | POW | - |
RO | SGT | Francis J. Hess | POW | - |
BT | SGT | Carl H. Warheit | KIA | 17 years of age at death |
WG | SGT | Helmuth Roeder | POW | - |
WG | SGT | Darwin H. Wissenback | POW | - |
TG | SGT | Walter L. Wynn | POW | - |
01. March 2023 access_time 21:19
Carl H Warheit was my Grandfathers Brother, he was 17 years of age at the time of his death, i would love to communicate with any one that has any stories to share about the Plane or anyone who has any pictures of this plane in the background or anything . I am planning on a trip to France to pay my respects to Carl and the other brave men burried there in France. Carl was the youngest of three brothers who served but he was the only one who did not return. War is known to change a man and my grandfather didn’t speak much of those times. Anyone who has anything to contribute to my research of my Grandfathers brother, or knows where i can find any stories i would be very appreciative.
Thank You ,M. warheit
01. May 2023 access_time 3:59
my uncle 2nd Lt. Leonard E. Hamaker (‘Gene’) was co-pilot of ‘Rose O-Day’. He parachuted out of the aircraft landing in a tree in a Paris suburb and captured by Nazis immediately. He spent 27 months total in captivity including infamous Stalag Luft 3 Sagan Germany (Zagan, Poland). S.L. 3 was the ‘infamous’ ” Great Escape” POW camp. Uncle Gene was released and retuned to the US in 1945 and is deseased (1989). He spent a quiet and private life in Orange County, Calif his place of birth.
08. June 2023 access_time 0:07
I drew a memorial picture of the plane. Where can I send a copy?
26. July 2023 access_time 20:22
I would very much like a copy of the picture, how can i obtain a copy
08. June 2023 access_time 0:04
My wife’s grandpa Francis Hess was the radio gunner…he was a very happy individual. He loved food! He continued to serve. He has since passed. He shared his stories with us often. He spent time in Stalag 17. He was on his 4th bombing mission when they were shot down. He was injured bailing out and was captured by French who turned him in to the NAZIs. He moved to Boise Idaho and retired here. He found himself in the same retirement home as one the they guys from the camp he was in. They were there at the same time.
13. September 2023 access_time 16:51
My dad MSgt. Clair L. Emeigh was the crew chief on Rose-O-Day.He passed in 2015. I can remember him telling me stories about his time in England. He was stationed at Thurleigh England. The only thing I can remember is he very sad when he spoke of the Rose-O-Day in that it was shot down. He spoke very highly of the pilot John McKee. He was able to go back to Thurleigh England, I think in the 90’s during a Air Force reunion.
10. October 2023 access_time 11:50
Hi All
Fascinating comments and so many memories from that generation that must be saved and recorded. We are currently organising a memorial to a 482rd BG B-17 Pathfinder that crash on the 10th November 1943. The connection to Rose O’ Day, is that the pilot of 42-5793 (Stinky) was co-pilot on “Chief Sly” from the 91st BG on this 20th Dec 1942 mission. Bruce Barton left the protection of the formation to help “Rose O’ Day”. Battle the fighter attacks and eventually crash landing in Southern England. There was quick a bit of publicity about this story at the time.
1Lt Arthur Reynolds was the co pilot on “Chief Sly”
All the best
Steve A