Production-block:
B-17F-100-BO: 42-30332 to 42-30431
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 96th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 337th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: AW-B
MACR: 1019
History of
B-17 42-30365 / Rum Boogie III
Delivered Cheyenne 20/5/43; Smoky Hill 31/5/43; Dow Fd 11/7/43; Assigned: 337BS/96BG [AW-B] Snetterton 13/7/43; Duren mission aborted 17/10/43 Pilot: Bill Stoneburner, Co-Pilot: Fred Ward, Navigator: John Griffin, Bombardier: John McNeil, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Henry James, Radio Operator: Andy Hodulik, Ball Turret Gunner: Bill Vadney, Waist Gunner: Phil Messenger, Waist Gunner: Lloyd Reynolds, Tail Gunner: Howard Lee (10KIA); caught fire off Cromer, Nfk., crashed North Sea; simply no trace; MACR 1019. RUM BOOGIE III.
Last updated: 9. February 2019
02. October 2019 access_time 18:40
My uncle (who I was named for) Frederick Boyd Ward went missing in the Rum Boogie III B-17 on November October 17, 1943. Your web site says the plane caught fire and crashed in the North Sea. The official records say the cause of the plane failing to return to base is unknown but it is presumed to have crashed in the North Sea. What is the source of your report about it being on fire?
02. October 2019 access_time 18:57
Hello Boyd,
the information is based on Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log.
I have just search for more and two posts on Facebook also said caught fire and crashed North See. Visit this page and search in the facebook page for the serial number:
https://www.facebook.com/USAAF-Class-Book-Project-ABMC-American-Cemeteries-1534953480144324/
02. October 2019 access_time 19:03
Here is another source said, it caught fire:
https://scarletboy44.tumblr.com/post/11580787533/remember-1lt-william-neal-stoneburner337th