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Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17G-1-VE: 42-39758 to 42-39857
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 388th Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 563rd Bomb Squadron
MACR: 5317 / KSU/ME/KU: 2040
Missions: 53
History of
B-17 42-39845 / Hulcher’s Vultures
Delivered Long Beach 18/9/43; ass 563BS/388BG Knettishall 7/10/43; MIA Dessau 28/5/44 Pilot: Marquis Fjelsted, Co-Pilot: Bill Hudson, Navigator: Herb Honlihan, Bombardier: Chester Tracewaki, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: John McBrien, Radio Operator: Ed Stringer, Ball Turret Gunner: George Hoover, Waist Gunner: John Shatz, Waist Gunner: Harry McCarty, Tail Gunner: John Perry (10POW); flak KOd two engines, forced landing a mile from Weira, 31 miles SW of Kassel, Germany. MACR 5317. HULCHER’S VULTURES.
Last updated: 19. October 2020
B-17 42-39845 / Hulcher’s Vultures Details
No markings on left side of fuselage. Right of start the word “Esler” in yellow (perhaps name of a girl), for all motors and the two sides are marked with names as CLARA etc.
Interrogation Report:
A/C No. 845 peeled out of formation while on the bomb run and passed below the formation. Nothing appeared to be wrong with the ship and it was noted that all four engines were going.
B-17 42-39845 / Hulcher’s Vultures Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Marquis Ausman Fjelsted | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | William Copeland Hudson Jr. | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Herbert Joseph Houlihan | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Chester Paul Tracewski | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | John Edward McBrien | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Edward James Stringer | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | George Francis Hoover | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Harold Stanley McCarty | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John Leal Perry | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | John Rutherford Shatz | POW | - |
15. November 2019 access_time 3:54
John Leal Perry is my grandpa. I’m so thankful to find his picture on your site. The same picture hung on my wall as a child!
17. June 2020 access_time 18:03
John McBrien is my grandfather, would love to connect with anyone who relatives were in this plane.
19. June 2020 access_time 15:06
Hi John, let’s connect, I’d love to see any pictures you have- rachel.hanses@gmail.com
18. November 2019 access_time 14:57
My uncle was a radio operator on this plane in the 388th. I have a couple of pictures of him. 1 on the wing with the crew and 1 at the radio. They were shot down 2 times and each time, he was sent to Florida to heal. He also taught Yiddish to other operators so they could understand more of what the Germans were saying.
When he passed away, he left me his jacket which is now framed with a photograph of the crew on the wing.
06. August 2020 access_time 23:47
I have the memoir he wrote about his and his crews experience if you would like a pdf copy. I’m not sure if your family still has it.
20. February 2023 access_time 16:03
If you could that would be incredible. Let me know how to contact you.
21. May 2023 access_time 22:50
My father was Wallace Gross. Any memoir or information on him would be so appreciated.
23. February 2021 access_time 3:34
My uncle was Marquis Fjelsted (my mother’s brother), and that last mission was written about in “Mission 376: Battle Over the Reich 28 May 1944” by DeJong….wonderful book!! Uncle Mark’s retirement years were near where we lived in the Washington, DC area – so we spent lots of time with him – living in the present….learned much more about all of this after he was gone…
13. February 2024 access_time 2:43
Does anyone have any info on Wallace Gross, who was the Radio Operator on the Hulcher’s Vultures. I believe John McBruen said he had his memoir. Anything would be so appreciated. I am his daughter. Thank you