B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 41-24518 / Reckless Mountain Boys

Delivered Lowry 29/7/42; Hamilton 31/8/42; Assigned 403BS/43BG Mareeba, Aus 9/9/42; Torrens Creek, Aus 27/9/42; Iron Range, Aus 17/10/42; Milne Bay, NG 23/11/42; then 63BS at Port Morseby, NG; Missing in Action with Capt Byron Beichel, Co-pilot: Berry Rucks, Navigator: Marcus Mangett, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: John Fritz*, Radio Operator: Clarry Surrett, Waist gunner: Jim Etheridge{Wounded in Action}, Waist gunner: Ken Vetter {Wounded in Action},Tail gunner: Frank Kurisko* (8POW, * died en route Japan); Bombardier: Oscar Linsley, Navigator: E.D. Bleiler, Waist gunner: Sgt Fleiger (3KIA in crash); shot down on recon mission over Kavieng, New Ireland and ditched on Komalu beach 7/5/43. THE RECKLESS MOUNTAIN BOYS.