Production-block:
B-17G-10-VE: 42-39958 to 42-40057
Manufacturer:
Lockheed/Vega
- Bomb Group:
- 452nd Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 728th Bomb Squadron
- RCL: 9Z-P
MACR: 4450 / KSU/ME/KU: 1664
History of
B-17 42-39981 / Rugged But Right
Delivered Long Beach 24/10/43; Walla Walla 11/11/43; Assigned 728BS/452BG [9Z-P] Deopham Green 19/11/43; Missing in Action Berlin 29/4/44 with George Haakenson (WIA), Co-pilot: Don Heckman, Navigator: Bill Murphy, Bombardier: Malvin Samuel, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Paul Madori, Radio Operator: John Baas, Ball turret gunner: Bill Mason (WIA), Waist gunner: Harry Donohue (WIA), Waist gunner: George Warmby,Tail gunner: Ward Wickwar (WIA) (10 Prisoner of War); enemy aircraft, crashed near Burg Afd, near Pietzpul, 15 miles N of Magdeburg, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 4450. RUGGED BUT RIGHT.
Last updated: 18. June 2022
B-17 42-39981 / Rugged But Right Details
Following statement obtained by S-2 Section, 452nd Bomb Group at interrogation after mission:
Aircraft B-17G 42-39981 was damaged by Flak over the target and was last observed after the Group had left the target area, straggling behind the formation under control along with Aircraft B-17G 42-39920 also missing, and flying low just above the undercast. Contact with other Groups for further information regarding. the disposition of these two Aircraft has been, unsuccessful. No further information concerning loss of aircraft 39981 has been reported.
Source: MACR 4450
B-17 42-39981 / Rugged But Right Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | George A. Haakenson | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | Donald R. Hackman | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | William F. Murphy, Jr. | POW | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Malvin W. Samuel | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Paul P. Madori | POW | - |
| RO | SGT | John R. Baas | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | William F. Mason | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | Harold J. Donohue | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | George H. Hamby | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Ward W. Wickwar | POW | - |
06. March 2019 access_time 2:38
My Grandpa is listed in this. Tail Gunner Ward Wickwar
21. February 2024 access_time 19:47
What these men went through was remarkable. My father was the pilot of this plane. He lived to 100, but until his later years, he seldom talked about his experiences. He was a character.
08. January 2023 access_time 2:56
My Hero Ward W. Wickwar