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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-20-BO: 42-31432 to 42-31631
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
Missions: 4
History of
B-17 42-31569 / Sweet Patootie
Delivered Denver 23/11/43; Gt Falls 25/11/43; Cheyenne 11/12/43; Kearney 21/12/43; Romulus 6/1/44; Grenier 9/1/44; Presque Is 10/1/44; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-E] Ridgewell 19/2/44; Missing in Action 4m Ludwigshafen 3/9/44 with Omar Fulton, Co-pilot: Bob Harrington, Bombardier: Rich Geer, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Theo Jefferson, Radio Operator: Roger Martin, Ball turret gunner: Jim Grubbs, Waist gunner: Franklin Berry,Tail gunner: Carl Von Goeben (8 evaded capture); Navigator: Bob Conly (Prisoner of War); battle damaged KO’d #2, then another was lost and it was decided to crash landed on neutral territory; it did so Damerey, NE of Chalon-sur-Saone, France; all were captured but eight escaped from a box car and returned UK by 21/9/44; Salvaged 5/5/45. SWEET PATTOOTIE.
Last updated: 9. March 2019
22. November 2018 access_time 3:25
My father flew 30 missions on Sweet Patootie from Feb 44, till 25 May 44. He was the Top Turret Gunner/Flight Engineer. The Berlin mission on 24 May 44 made the mission of the day. I have an article by 1LT Wallerstein the pilot for that mission. Also, have a pic of my father and Wallerstein in front of Sweet Patootie.
13. April 2022 access_time 15:12
My close friends David and Michael Wallerstein are the sons of Pilot Wallerstein. He wrote the story. “ The Last Flight Of Sweet Patootie”. He was an amazing human being.
08. April 2019 access_time 19:29
My father, Lloyd Laughon, was a waist gunner on this same crew with Perkins, Wallerstein and the rest of the crew. I also have Wallerstein’s account of the 30th mission.
23. July 2021 access_time 3:26
My late father was the Navigator on the Sweet Patootie when it was shot down.
He was injured when the plane crash landed. He was not physically able to
move without assistance.
He spent almost 9 months as a POW.
He survived and returned to his home town of Cincinnati Ohio.
He was married to our mother for 38 years when he passed at 64 years of age.
Together they were parents to 9 children.
Again my name is Robert Bruce Conly.
I’m 3rd in line of the 9 children and am 72 years old.
If anyone has any knowledge of any other members of the crew please contact me.
26. July 2021 access_time 5:14
Hello Robert. I am the son of the pilot Omar Fulton. If you would like to speak to me please e-mail. Best regards. Rocky.
26. July 2021 access_time 5:27
Hello Robert.Would like to talk with you. My father Omar P Fulton was the pilot when sweet patootie crash landed.Please reply via my email. best regards. Rocky
19. February 2024 access_time 5:59
Robert,
I am a great nephew to Franklin Berry who was the left waist gunner on Sweet Patootie. Uncle Frank passed away in 1987, but I have been working on piecing his story together on what happened that 3rd day in September of 1944. He was captured and later on escaped as they were able to get the door on the box car opened and jump out. You are more than welcome to contact me and maybe we can compare notes!!
Matt Berry
Lingle, WY
27. July 2021 access_time 0:52
Rocky,
I received both of your messages. Thank you so very much.
I tried to reply directly from the prompt on your message.
I received a notice that my reply failed.
Most assuredly I would like to carry this dialogue further.
Being a techno dinosaur I’m not quite sure what to do at this time.
Bob Conly
12. November 2023 access_time 23:00
Lt. Larry Wallerstein was my scoutmaster in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in New Rochelle, N.Y. He was a close friend of my family. He told us a lot of stories about his experiences in the Air Force.