B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-29635 / Augerhead

History of
B-17 42-29635 / Augerhead

Delivered Cheyenne 24/1/43; Salina 7/2/43; Assigned 358BS/303BG [VK-M] Molesworth 26/3/43. 18 missions. Missing in Action on the mission to bomb the airfield at Amiens-Glisy, France on 31 August 1943. Pilot: William J. Monahan; Co-pilot: Louis M. Benepe; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Walter Gasser; Ball turret gunner: Alfred R. Buinicky; Left Waist gunner: James H. Comer Jr; Right Waist gunner: Vernon E. Olson (6 Prisoner of War). Navigator: William P. Maher; Bombardier: Walter Hargrove; Radio Operator: Frank Kimotek; Photographer Verdis B. Pryor (4 evaded capture).Tail gunner: Dave Miller (KIA – bailed out but when found his legs had been blown off). Flak hits slowed ship down then enemy aircraft struck. Crashed ±15km Northeast of Dieppe, France. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 470. “AUGERHEAD”.

Last updated: 11. September 2017