zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-35-DL: 42-3189 to 42-3228
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 533rd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: VP-S
MACR: 3000 / KSU/ME/KU: 1126
History of
B-17 42-3215 / Linda Mary
Delivered Cheyenne 30/3/43; Presque Is 27/5/43; Assigned 533BS/381BG [VP-S] Ridgewell 28/4/43 with Martin Shenk, Bill Grant, Tom Keheley, Moses Hoppenstein, Shirley Goucher, John Sinclair, Mitch LaBuda, George Bardsley, Jim Sloan, Chas Brinton; Missing in Action Berlin 6/3/44 with Rich Coyle, Co-pilot: John Wierman, Navigator: Bob Hassletine, Bombardier: Bob Baker, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Alby Seabaugh, Radio Operator: Pete Smith, Ball turret gunner: Dan Mendoza, Waist gunner: John Mueller,Tail gunner: Louis Schultz (9 Prisoner of War); Waist gunner: Ray Legg (Killed in Action); enemy aircraft, crashed Magdeburg area, Ger, Missing Air Crew Report 3000. LINDA MARY.
Last updated: 18. August 2020
B-17 42-3215 / Linda Mary Details
Eyewitness Statement from MACR 3000
I saw Ship #42-3215 flying on our left wing. The Number Three Engine started burning after we had a fighter attack. They flew along side for about two minutes. The waist door and tail door flew off. We had another fighter attack and the airplane left the formation. That was the last I saw of it.
S/Sgt. Emery Y. Naha
Tail Gunner
I saw ship #42-3215 which was flying to the left of us. Fighters attacked and his underside of the right wing went afire. Shooting flames about four to five feet in lenght. He kept flying in formation for perhaps a minute and then peeled off under control. This was the last I saw of the ship because we were in direct attack with enemy fighters and I could no longer watch the ship. To my estimation the crew had time to bail out.
T/Sgt. Glen A. Holmes
Top Turret Gunner
B-17 42-3215 / Linda Mary Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Richard W. Cole | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | John B. Wierman | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Robert E. Hassletine | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert J. Baker | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | Albert C. Seabaugh, Jr. | POW | - |
| RO | S/SGT | Peter W. Smith | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | Daniel Mendoza | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | John E. Mueller | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Raymond F. Legg | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Louis G. Schultz | POW | - |
22. September 2020 access_time 23:36
My uncle was Peter William Smith. It makes me happy knowing that their is information available about the Linda Mary and the disposition of her crew. I have artifacts that belonged to my uncle, including two letters written to home when he was a POW. He has always been my hero.
14. November 2021 access_time 0:18
My Grandfather was Captain Martin Shenk. I’ve been told despite being shot down on his first mission, he went on to complete 20 more missions during his campaign. We are blessed with freedom and liberty because of these mens selflessness and courage.