Source:
www.388bg.info
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-90-BO: 42-30132 to 42-30231 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 384th Bomb Group, 388th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 544th Bomb Squadron, 560th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | SU-L |
| MACR | 3123 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (05 November 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-30142 / Pistol Packin Mama
Delivered Cheyenne 15/4/43; Sioux City 30/4/43; Kearney 4/5/43; Bangor 22/5/43; Assigned 544BS/384BG [SU-L] Grafton Underwood 29/9/43; transferred 560BS/388BG Knettishall /43; Missing in Action 35m Gelsenkirchen 5/11/43 with Roy Walker, Navigator: Ken Haines, Bombardier: Don Naughton, Radio Operator: George Harper, Waist gunner: Luther Hawkins (5 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: Bill Marshall, Ball turret gunner: Bob Feese (2 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: Bill Koenig, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ken Shaver,Tail gunner: John Buckner (3 evaded capture after escaping from POW train); flak, crash landed Ijzendijke, eight miles SE of Flushing, Hol; Missing Air Crew Report 3123. PISTOL PACKIN’ MAMA.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-30142 / Pistol Packin Mama Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Roy Miller Walker | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | William Jackson Koenig | POW/ESC | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Kenneth Leroy Haines | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Donald George Naughton | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Kenneth D. Shaver | POW/ESC | - |
| RO | S/SGT | George Walter Harper | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Robert Burl Feese | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Luther Harding Hawkins | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | William Preston Marshall Jr. | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | John Ramsey Buckner Jr. | POW/ESC | - |
This page was last updated on 28 August 2017
16. February 2018 access_time 16:07
Ken Haines (Nav) was my dad’s neighbor as a kid. Ken lived out his days in the same house and they stayed in touch.
When I was 15 years old, I had the honor of hearing Ken’s story after I made this plane for him in model form. His wife June said that she had never heard the story from him. I felt honored to hear about the crew, his time as a POW and eventual escape. Ken showed me this picture when I was 15. I am glad to see this online.
06. October 2020 access_time 2:51
Ken Haines was my great uncle, my dad’s uncle. He was actually younger than my dad but both fought in Europe at the same time. He and his wife June worked for the DNR in Michigan in Roscommon County after the war.
11. November 2020 access_time 19:29
I am Ken Haines’ granddaughter. His story of bravery and honor is told to all our kids, especially every Veterans Day. We remember his kindness, sense of humor, and warm personality. As a kid, I always remember seeing a smile on his face and his joke telling! Quite a guy…. may he rest in peace.
05. December 2024 access_time 18:50
I am a great nephew of Ken Haines and have a tribute on my hangar wall to him and his crew complete with photos of the crew in front of a B-17 and of their downed B-17 Pistol Packin’ Mama. I also have the story of him bailing out, hiding, capture, escape from the POW train, recapture, and march to freedom when the allies won. Quite a story and quite a man. He was fun to be around and always a favorite at our family reunions of long ago. Please reach out as I would love to hear your stories and fill in any missing pieces. Also, I know his story was published and I would love to get a copy of this if you know where I can find it.
15. May 2025 access_time 20:51
I am looking for information and a photo of the co-pilot Wm. Koenig. If anyone has anything they can share, it would be greatly appreciated.
18. September 2020 access_time 13:41
My mother who is now 86 remembers seeing Pistol Packin Mama fly out of Grafton Underwood as a child. I now live in Geddington the village next to the old base. We frequently walk around the old buildings, which are still standing but in very poor order. A truly historic site and think you to the USA for helping us in our gravest hour of need.
29. January 2023 access_time 20:03
My father worked for Ken Shaver and eventually purchased Dixie Trucking from him. I was fortunate to know Ken from a young age. He was a friend to many and a great boss. Great American Hero!!!
10. December 2023 access_time 1:12
Willam P Marshall (KIA) the right waist gunner on the final flight. Billy was my father’s nephew. I have the last letter that Billy wrote to my father dated November 4th 1943-11:45 pm. Billy was stationed in Knettishall England and My father Seth D Ramsey was a Sgt in a mobile ordinance Corp elsewhere in England.
The third line in this letter from cousin Billy to my father was quite ironic quote-“Dan my address from now on will never change.”
My father’s name was Dan Ramsey and cousin Billy’s B-17 “THE PISTOL PACKIN MAMA” was brought down by flak the next day, November 5, 1943 approximately 2:00 pm.
It is a wonderful peace of history to have but frompast stories My Aunt Billy’s mother was so traumatized by his death that she developed a permanent stutter. She suffered some sort of nervous break down-Understandibly.
02. May 2024 access_time 23:16
Donald Naughton was my father-in-law. I have a picture of the crew standing next to their plane. If you would like a copy, let me know and tell me how to send it to you.