Production-block:
B-17G-10-DL: 42-37721 to 42-37803
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 381st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 534th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: GD-L
History of
B-17 42-37721 / Sugar
Delivered Denver 10/8/43; Redmond 15/8/43; Assigned 534BS/381BG [GD-L] Ridgewell 1/10/43; battle damaged Berlin 19/5/44, sal 2/6/45. SUGAR.
Last updated: 2. July 2022
09. September 2020 access_time 2:06
My grandfather was a waist gunner on this aircraft. Flew 25 missions between Oct 43 and April 44
28. July 2023 access_time 18:21
My Dad, John Silvernale Sr., named this bomber after his wife’s nickname of “Sugar”. He was at Ridgewell from about Sept. 43 to March or April 43 & had completed his 25 missions on Mar. 31, 1944. As far as I know, his crew did not change during his missions. But “Sugar” was used by other crews as well, so being a gunner on it, is very possible.
29. July 2023 access_time 3:46
Thank you for the information. My grandfather’s name was Raymond Cassidy. I have been trying to find more detailed information regarding his service. There was a 381st Bomb Group page that is no longer up that had the dates of missions, targets, squadrons, losses etc. It went down the day after I found it so have little information. He never shared his service with the family and only found out after he passed. If you have anything to share that may fill in the blanks, I would be appreciative.
01. August 2023 access_time 17:19
Brian, my Dad completed his 2 missions on Mar. 27, 1944. I have lost contact with most of Dad’s crew, over the years. I apologize for not paying attention that his family name could change with marriages along the way. You may contact me for other info I may have via my email address. Would appreciate very much.
30. November 2023 access_time 1:44
I was able to verify my grandfather was a waist gunner on your dads crew. This according to the American Air Museum in Britain. It states this under his name, which I misspelled initially, omitting the “a” in Cassiday “WG, Silvernale, J. Crew. 381st BG, 534th BS.” My email is gamecrazee@gmail.com. If you have any info about missions and such, I would like to read it. I know you said to reach out via email, but I can’t find your on the site. Thank you, Brian Smith
26. January 2024 access_time 18:24
Hey Brian. I’m your Aunt Tiz’s son, Rob. Uncle Johnnie has Grandpa’s military records, I believe. He also has a Ruger Grandpa brought back. He was a gunner who flew 30 missions because later in the war the amount of missions to go home was increased from 25. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross multiple times. If I remember correctly, it was four times.
14. March 2024 access_time 23:16
Hey Robert! Crazy how the internet can be so big and small at the same time. My email is gamecrazee@gmail.com. Get in touch if you would like. I would like to hear from you.