Production-block:
B-17G-50-BO: 42-102379 to 42-102543
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 398th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 600th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: N8-C
History of
B-17 42-102536 / Here’s Hopin’
Delivered Cheyenne 12/3/44; Gr Island 31/3/44; Grenier 6/4/44; Assigned 600BS/398BG [N8-C] Nuthampstead 26/4/44; crashed on take off for Merzehausen, Ger 24/12/44 with Don Grinter; (2 Killed in Action) when ship crashed at Lt Chishill, near Saffron Walden, Ex, UK; Salvaged 25/12/44 by 71 MU Slough. HERE’S HOPIN’ .
Last updated: 10. October 2017
B-17 42-102536 / Here’s Hopin’ Crew
Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
P | 1LT | Donald Grinter | UNK | - |
NAV | --- | Franklin D. | KIA | - |
ENG/TT | T/SGT | Louis Stoffer | UNK | - |
BT | SGT | William Davidson | UNK | - |
WG | --- | David V. Flores | KIA | - |
WG | S/SGT | Kenneth Kiser | UNK | - |
22. March 2023 access_time 23:26
Sergeant John David Contento, upon the initial crash of the airplane, displayed gallantry and heroism in the spite of dire odds to run into the burning plane saving 2 lives aboard. Sergeant Contento failed to save his crewmate, David Flores, as the plane burst into flames and was engulfed in the ensuing fire. Sergeant Contento was awarded the Soldiers Medal for his act of heroism. After the war, Sergeant Contento would return to the U.K. to visit the grave of Flores and pay his respects. Upon returning to the United States, Sergeant John Contento would legally change his middle name to David to honor his fallen brother.