Source:
fold3.com
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Boeing |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-1-BO: 42-31032 to 42-31131 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 96th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 338th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | BX-E |
| MACR | 1673 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by flak/aa-fire (31 December 1943) |
History of
B-17 42-31121
Delivered Cheyenne 22/9/43; Gr Island 6/10/43; Wilmington 10/10/32; Assigned: 338BS/96BG [BX-E] Snetterton 14/10/43; MIA Bordeaux 31/12/43 Pilot: Ralph Woodward, Co-Pilot: Bill O’Neil, Navigator: Alex Yaskel, Bombardier: Henry Reynolds, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Joe Hood, Radio Operator: Harry DeFrain, Ball Turret Gunner: Joe Estep, Waist Gunner: Lee Merrick, Waist Gunner: Nathan Brown, Tail Gunner: Joe Welch (10KIA); flak, near Abbeville, Fr; MACR 1673.
B-17 42-31121 Details
The only information gathered from the reporting crews was that the aircraft was flying far below the formation just before reaching the French coast, though it was apparently under control and headed the same direction as the formation.
Source: MACR 1673
B-17 42-31121 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Ralph A. Woodward | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | William Quincy O'Neall | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Alexander Yeskel | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Henry Grady Reynolds | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Joseph Randell Hood | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Harold James DeFrain | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Joseph Wendel Estep | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Lee Willett Merrick | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Nathan Pitts Brown, Jr. | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Joseph W. Walch | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 19 June 2021
01. October 2020 access_time 22:07
I’m related to Joseph Estep and I would really like to know the name of his B-17?
10. October 2020 access_time 10:58
This B-17 is an unamed ship. No nicknamed recorded in documents as far as I know
18. October 2021 access_time 4:35
My great-uncle was WG SSG Lee Merrick KIA on this ship.
25. March 2023 access_time 16:02
Bonjour
Connaissez vous les marques de queue du B17 42-31121 BX_E ainsi que le dessin de fuselage de “The queen of the skies” pour la réalisation d’une maquette. Merci d’avance
Jean-Pierre DEFRAIN
22. March 2025 access_time 18:38
joseph randall hood was my uncle. is would like to know them exact location where the Plane went down so I can visit the site.