| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17G-5-VE: 42-39858 to 42-39957 |
| Delievered: | Long Beach |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 306th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 423rd Bomb Squadron |
| RCL: | RD-S, RD-L |
| MACR: | 2649 |
| German Document: | KU-953 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by enemy aircraft (22 February 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-39945 / Holy Hellcat
Delivered Long Beach 13/10/43; Gr Island 8/11/43; Assigned 423BS/306BG [RD-S, RD-L] Thurleigh 12/12/43; Missing in Action Aschersleben 22/2/44 with J.P. Tooms Jr, co-Howard Taunton, Navigator: Alby Pulver, Bombardier: Buford Branom, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Ralph Wheeler, Radio Operator: Paul Gaire, Tail gunner: Virgil Chappie (7 Killed in Action); Ball turret gunner: Calvin Brend, Waist gunner: John Foley, Waist gunner: Bill Harris (3 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed Herfun, just S of Waldbrol, 19 miles W of Siegen, Ger; Missing Air Crew Report 2649. HOLY HELLCAT.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-39945 / Holy Hellcat Crew
| Position | Rank | Name (First Name, Middle Initial, Last Name) | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | J. P. Toombs | KIA | - |
| CP | 1LT | Howard G. Taunton | KIA | - |
| NAV | 1LT | Albert G. Pulver, Jr. | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 1LT | Buford E. Branom | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Ralph H. Wheeler | KIA | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Paul G. Gaire | KIA | - |
| BT | S/SGT | Calvin T. Brend | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | John C. Foley | POW | - |
| WG | S/SGT | William V. Harris | POW | - |
| TG | S/SGT | Virgil G. Chappie | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 10 May 2026
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