zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-85-BO: 42-30032 to 42-30131
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 100th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 349th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: XR-E
MACR: 15552
History of
B-17 42-30088 / Squawkin Hawk II
Delivered Cheyenne 8/4/43; Kearney 16/4/43; Wendover 2/5/43; Hill 12/5/43; Wendover 18/5/43; Kearney 22/5/43; Dow Fd 27/5/43; Assigned 349BS/100BG [XR-E] Thorpe Abbotts 9/6/43; severe battle damage over Stuttgart 6/9/43 with Sumner Reeder, Navigator: Russ EngelWounded in Action, Bombardier: Peter F. Delao, Jr. [wia], rest unknown; Co-pilot: Harry Edebuon (Killed in Action); but limped back to base Missing Air Crew Report 99906; again suffered heavy damage 5/11/43 Gelsenkirchen with Bill Flesh & cp John Gosasage (2 Returned to Duty); Navigator: Omar Gonzales, Bombardier: Jim Lux, Ball turret gunner: Francis Dolsen, Waist gunner: George Gineikis,Tail gunner: Jim Marasco (5 Prisoner of War); Radio Operator: Connor Brewster (KIA-chute failed); Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Harry Pope, Leon McDonald (2 evaded capture); while ship landed RAF Tangmere, Sussex; Missing Air Crew Report 15552; Returned to the USA 17/5/44; Hendricks 8/6/44; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Walnut Ridge 13/12/45. First aircraft in group to 50 missions. SQUAWKIN’ HAWK II.
Last updated: 15. April 2024
21. December 2022 access_time 18:51
my Dad was original Bombadier 1st Lt Peter F Delao, Jr.
Sept 6, 1943 was his final mission- he was SWA ( Severally Wounded in Action ) over Stuttgart.
24. February 2023 access_time 20:14
Hello Lisa, I see from your comments that your Father served on the crew of the Squawkin Hawk. I believe mine did as well, based upon pictures I have and the information I have been told but since the fire in St Louis destroyed so many documents I have hit a brick wall. I was wondering if you could share any search tips that you feel would be helpful. Thanks, Craig
27. September 2023 access_time 6:01
Hi Craig, I have quite a bit of information on Squawkin Hawk. Please feel free to contact me with questions. Regards, Chris Barrett
01. October 2023 access_time 17:21
Hi Chris, Thanks for reaching out. I have little to go on in my search for my fathers story except for a few photographs that appear to have been taken on one or two occasions. He was an enlisted member of the crew and appears in the back row of the group’s photographs. The look on his face doesn’t reflect the confidence like those of his officers.
Any help I could get I would appreciate. My fathers records were lost in the fires at the records depository in St Louis.
Thanks again for reaching out , it’s greatly appreciated.
Craig Christiansen
Omaha Nebraska
21. December 2022 access_time 19:06
Please correct my Dad’s name. Lt Peter F Delao, Jr was Squawking Hawk ORIGINAL bombadier. On 9-6-1943 he was SWA- Severely Wounded In Action on Stuttgart run.
He was shot in eye, head, arm, both legs & trunk
22. December 2022 access_time 10:41
Thank you for the information. I have correted your dad’s name.
21. December 2023 access_time 22:26
A close family fring of ours was Frank Dolsen. He was the original ball turret gunner on Squawkin Hawk. On their 14th or 15th mission to Gelsinkirken the plane was shot up badly. All but oulot and Co pilot bailed out. Frank was quickly captured and spent the remainder of the war as a POW. He had many interesting stories of his time in the airplane an as a POW. I was fortunate to accompany Frank and Ann to Thorpe Abbots so he could visit his base one more time a number of years ago. Ron and Carol and staff went out of their way to make us feel like family. Lifelong friends were made that day. Fond memories.
20. January 2024 access_time 2:20
When my wife and I were first married in 1982 our upstairs neighbor was Jim Marasco the tail gunner from the Squawking Hawk he spent 2+ years as a POW. He told me a lot of stories the missions and his time as a POW. I think we hit it off at the time I was a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the USN. They were living in Port Orchard WA.