Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 401st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 615th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: IY-G
MACR: 2437
History of
B-17 42-31518 / Doolittle’s Doughboy’s
Delivered Denver 17/11/43; Kearney 3/12/43; Cincinnati 9/12/43; Rome 11/12/43; Presque Is 14/12/43; Assigned 615BS/401BG [IY-G] Deenethorpe 1/2/44; Missing in Action Leipzig 20/2/44 with Ed Gardner{found Pilz, near Gommern – bailed too low, 12/3/44} Radio Operator: Fred Monnes, Waist gunner: Sal Trupia (3 Killed in Action); Co-pilot: George Carter, Navigator: Carroll Gouger, Bombardier: John Foster, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Dale Minard, Ball turret gunner: Pete Piazza, Waist gunner: Francis Durben,Tail gunner: Steve Bosowski (7 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed between Pechau & Wahlitz, six miles E of Magdeburg, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2437. DOOLITTLE’S DOUGHBOYS.
Last updated: 6. January 2018
B-17 42-31518 / Doolittle’s Doughboy’s Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Edward T. Gardner | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | George L. Carter | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Carroll A. Couger | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | John L. Foster | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Dale W. Minard | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | Fred Monnes | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Peter J. Piazza | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Francis J. Durben | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Salvatore A. Trupia | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Stephen R. Bosowski | POW | - |
01. March 2021 access_time 1:23
My father’s uncle, Fred Monnes, was a member of Doolittle’s Doughboys. We are currently researching everything there is to know about that final fateful mission. By any chance is there a photograph of the plane? Today would have been Fred’s 98th birthday and my father is missing him.
18. June 2021 access_time 15:06
Dear Jane,
my grand father saved the life of Pete Piazza, giving him blood (he was already POW) near Magdenbourg. Do you maybe have some contacts with his family? Thanks. However i remember a pic of the crew in the web. I’ll search for it.