B-17 Flying Fortress B-17 42-37827

History of
B-17 42-37827

Delivered Denver 11/9/43; Gr Island 29/9/43; Assigned 509BS/351BG [RQ-J] Polebrook 27/10/43, then 508BS [YB-J]; Missing in Action {24m} Schweinfurt 13/4/44 with Gilbert Whitchurch, Co-pilot: Gene Sylvester, Navigator: Newton Wilbur, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Fred Gowen, Radio Operator: Andy Boyarko, Ball turret gunner: Don Luse, Waist gunner: Fred Vester, Waist gunner: Maurice Turner,Tail gunner: Bob Mondragon (9 Prisoner of War); Bombardier: Richard Cox (KIA-chute failed). shot down by six ME 109s, knocking off half of right stabilizer, salvoed bombs before baling out; ship crashed Oberelsbach, 28 miles N of Schweinfurt; Missing Air Crew Report 3863.

Last updated: 1. March 2018