Production-block:
B-17G-25-DL: 42-37989 to 42-38083
Manufacturer:
Douglas
- Bomb Group:
- 97th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 341st Bomb Squadron
MACR: 1953
History of
B-17 42-38081
Delivered Cheyenne 6/12/43; Savannah 20/12/43; Assigned 341BS/97BG Amendola 16/1/44; Missing in Action Rome 20/1/44 with Leroy Byrd, Beattie, Bailey, Young, Klinefelter, Moore, Bourne, Hebb, Wiget, Saldin; nine ‘chutes seen. Missing Air Crew Report 1953.
Last updated: 8. November 2020
B-17 42-38081 Details
Eyewitness Statements to the loss of B-17G 42-38081 and its crew
I the undersigned, was on the aerial bombardment mission, on the 20th January, 1944. I was in the tail gunner’s position of our aircraft. After passing over the top of the descending aircraft as it was falling a part, I saw (9) chutes floating in the air, and they all looked to be in the very best of shape. In the meantime the aircraft seemed to be breaking all to pieces in the air, and parts of it flying everywhich way.
S/Sgt. John W. Foerster
Tail Gunner
I the undersigned, was on the aerial bombardment mission on the 20th January, 1944. I was in the ball turret of our aircraft and on turning the turret around saw an airplane below and to be left of our formation evidently in trouble. Later I saw a parachute open, and on turning my turret around I saw (9) nine chutes all told, in a line as though each had jumped separately and not as though an explosion had blow them out. A little later I saw two sections of the disabled aircraft falling and burning debris in the air.
S/Sgt. George V. Hubacher
Ball Turret Gunner
B-17 42-38081 Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | Leroy A. Byrd | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | Robert C. Beattle | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Graves M. Bailey | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | David M. Young | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | S/SGT | James W. Moore | KIA | - |
| RO | S/SGT | James F. Klinefelter | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | Raymond J. Wiget | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Roy M. Saldin | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Henry C. Bourne | KIA | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Garland L. Hebb | KIA | Other sources said: "Gailand L. Hebb" |
24. January 2021 access_time 22:54
Garland/Gailand Hebb was my uncle. The family knew him as Gailand. Obviously I never knew him but I heard over the years about his Mother and Wife never accepting his death. But I have not been able to get much information about him and his service time. I would appreciate any information anyone can provide. Patricia Hebb – SFC US Army Retired
09. September 2023 access_time 18:37
Dear Mrs, Patricia Hebb my name is Valerio Mungai, I am 66 years old, I live in Rome and I am a historical researcher. I inform you that we most likely tracked the B-17 in the stretch of sea that goes from Lavinio to Anzio. All that remains of the wreckage is the wings and an engine beyond the central part of the fuselage. No human remains. We have no other news of the aircraft except the MACR 1953 reported on this site. I kindly ask you if you have the possibility of tracking down the families of the other crew members or some photos of them. We would like to complete our research by recalling the lives of the young people who were on board the plane. You can contact me via email writing to: valmun57@gmail.com. Thank you
10. September 2023 access_time 15:24
Dear Mrs Hebbs I am french aviation Historian living in the French Riviera not far Saint-Tropez. I’m scuba diver since more of 40 years now and just was back home yesterday night (700 miles from my hometown by car) at Anzio to searchs and visit WWII aircrafts’wreckages with the help of Italians divers and searchers. We can scuba dive on the wreck of an B-17 (3 B-17 of the 15Th USAAF were shot down not so far shore of the Anzio-Nettuno during WWII). Maybe this one can to be the one of your uncle. You can taken contact with me if needed by this wonderful website of our friend Jin.