| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-5-VE: 42-39858 to 42-39957 |
| Delievered: | Long Beach |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 305th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 365th Bomb Squadron |
| MACR: | 5336 |
| German Document: | KU-2008 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by mechanical fault (28 May 1944) |
| Missions: | XK-G |
History of
B-17 42-39878 / War Eagle
Delivered Long Beach 28/9/43; Gr Island 26/10/43; ass 365BS/305BG [XK-G] Chelveston 3/1/44; MIA Zwickau 28/5/44 Pilot: Julius F. Herrick, Co-Pilot: Lloyd Saunders, Navigator: Leon Lobdell, Bombardier: Herbert Borax, Engineer / Top Turret Gunner: Chas Gillespie, Radio Operator: Bill Schwartz, Ball Turret Gunner: Orval Busby, Tail Gunner: John Napier (8POW); Waist Gunner: Dan Dunbar, Waist Gunner: Ben Norris (2EVD- ret UK 5 Sept); damaged in target area, crash-landed Hentern, N of Zerf, 11 miles SE of Trier, Germany. MACR 5336.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-39878 / War Eagle Details
There was no flak or enemy aircraft in vicinity. When last observed, aircraft 42-39878 was reported behind our formation, being escorted by friendly fighters back to England.
1Lt. Gerald V. Vega
Navigator
Source: MACR 5336
B-17 42-39878 / War Eagle Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Julius F. Herrick | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Lloyd H. Saunders, Jr. | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Harvest Borax | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Leon W. Lobell | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Charles Gillespie | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | William S. Schwartz | POW | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Orval R. Busby | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Benjamin R. Norris | EVD | E & E 1503 |
| WG | S/SGT | Daniel E. Dunbar | EVD | E & E 1504 |
| TG | S/SGT | John C. Napier | POW | - |
This page was last updated on 18 May 2026
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