zoom_in
Source:
www.fold3.com
Production-block:
B-17F-40-BO: 42-5150 to 42-5249
Manufacturer:
Boeing
- Bomb Group:
- 303rd Bomb Group
- 91st Bomb Group
- Bomb Squadron:
- 322nd Bomb Squadron
- RCL: LG-L
MACR: 898
Missions: 15
History of
B-17 42-5178 / The Old Stand By
Delivered Denver 6/10/42; New Castle 19/10/42; Assigned 303BG Molesworth 21/12/42; transferred 322BS/91BG [LG-L] Bassingbourn 11/1/43; Missing in Action on its 15th mission, to Anklam, Germany on 9 October 1943. Pilot James D. Judy; Co-pilot: John K. Carter; Navigator: Capen R. Simons; Bombardier/Togglier George R. O’Dea; Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Earl M. Cherry; Radio Operator: Lloyd A. Johnson; Ball turret gunner: John M. Yatsko; Right Waist gunner: Linwood W. White; Tail Gunner Niles H. Withers (9 Prisoners of War). Left Waist gunner: William V. Williams (Killed in Action). Struck hard head-on by an enemy aircraft, the ship crashed near Kragstedt, about 20km SW of Flensburg, Germany. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 898. THE OLD STAND BY.
Last updated: 19. December 2021
B-17 42-5178 / The Old Stand By Details
At 1245 hours, 12200 feet at 5453N 1000E, A/C 42-5178 from this Group was seen going down in a spin. 3 chutes were reported. The crew reported that two men didn’t seen to be wearing chutes.
This was reported by Major Donald A. Sheeler
Source: MACR 898
B-17 42-5178 / The Old Stand By Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 1LT | James D. Judy | POW | - |
| CP | 2LT | John K. Carter | POW | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Caen R. Simons | POW | - |
| ENG/TT | T/SGT | Earl M. Cherry | POW | - |
| RO | T/SGT | Lloyd A. Johnson | POW | - |
| BT | SGT | John M. Yatsko | POW | - |
| WG | SGT | William V. Williams | KIA | - |
| WG | S/SGT | Linwood W. White | POW | - |
| TG | SGT | Niles H. Withers | POW | - |
| TOG | S/SGT | George R. O’Dea | POW | - |
30. April 2018 access_time 9:15
My uncle William Vern Williams was killed in this B17 called The Old Stand By. He was born in Winfred, South Dakota. There is a story about the crash from a friend of ours when he was an 8 year old boy from Germany He became a friend of our family and has quite a story and has visited us and the grave of our uncle’s grave, He seen Vern’s body after the crash on his farm in Germany. Such a sight for a 8 year old boy. His story can be found on veteran web page. If you need any more info feel free to email me. I just want to honor my Uncle Vern Williams and keep the story going. Thanks, Ken Williams
30. August 2023 access_time 17:13
Hi I was in a pub in Cambridge Uk called “ The Eagle “ and they have preserved the graffiti from various US and RAF bomber crews during the war. They would generally use their lighters or women’s lipstick etc. I noticed “old stand by “ on the ceiling one of the crew would have done it and looked it up on the Net where I found your article about your Dad. If you give me your email I’ll send a pic. William Kiddie
31. August 2023 access_time 5:10
William Vern Williams was my Uncle
31. August 2023 access_time 5:19
William Vern Williams was my Uncle I have some photos and more of the story