Source:
MacArthur Museum
| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed/Vega |
| Production-Block: | , B-17F-45-VE: 42-6030 to 42-6104 |
| Operational History | |
|---|---|
| Bomb Group: | , 96th Bomb Group |
| Bomb Squadron: | , 337th Bomb Squadron, 339th Bomb Squadron |
| RCL | AW-E, QJ-R |
| MACR | 3420 |
| KSU/ME/KU: | 1279 |
| Fate: |
, Lost by friendly-fire (22 March 1944) |
History of
B-17 42-6099 / Ruth L aka Winnie C
Delivered Long Beach 20/7/43; Palm Springs 23/7/43; Cheyenne 25/7/43; Dalhart 15/8/43; Assigned 337BS/96BG Snetterton [AW-E] 9/9/43 RUTH L; transferred 339BS [QJ-R]; Missing in Action Oranienburg 22/3/44 with Nathan Young, Co-pilot: Ed Garney, Navigator: Bob Sulzner, Bombardier: Bob Smith, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Tom Kelley, Radio Operator: Henry Lee, Ball turret gunner: Bill Meyer, Waist gunner: Wesley Lane, Waist gunner: Bob Robertson,Tail gunner: Walter May (10 Killed in Action); hit by bomb from own group aircraft above, crashed Falkenhoehe, two miles NE of Falkensee, due E of Berlin, Ger. Missing Air Crew Report 3420. WINNIE C.
Information may include corrections and additions based on Jing’s research.
B-17 42-6099 / Ruth L aka Winnie C Details
Bombs from High Squadron of the 96th was seen to hit the tail assembly and the ship was seen to go down out of control. 6 chutes were seen to open. Ship was not in formation when bombs were dropped.
B-17 42-6099 / Ruth L aka Winnie C Crew
| Position | Rank | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 2LT | Nathan L. Young | KIA | - |
| CP | 2LT | Edward L. Garney | KIA | - |
| NAV | 2LT | Robert L. Sulzner | KIA | - |
| BOMB | 2LT | Robert L. Smith | KIA | - |
| ENG/TT | SGT | Tom Kelley | KIA | - |
| RO | SGT | Henry E. Lee | KIA | - |
| BT | SGT | William L. Meyer | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Wesley R. Lane | KIA | - |
| WG | SGT | Robert D. Robertson | KIA | - |
| TG | SGT | Walter W. May | KIA | - |
This page was last updated on 14 June 2020
11. October 2023 access_time 0:53
My cousin, Oleah E. Short, was tail gunner in Winnie C. He was credited with a ‘109 kill, and awarded a DFC. He had finished his tour when she was lost. I am not sure when he repatriated, so don’t know how long after that Winnie C was lost and do not know if that was his old crew at the time of the loss.
Sgt Short went on to pilot training and retired from the USAF as a B-52 A/C. He took me, at 10 years, for my first airplane ride after the war, and launched my own career . Capt E. R. Gilkison, USN ret
14. January 2026 access_time 16:38
My Father-In-Law, Frank J. Vicki, was a Right Waist Gunner on the Winnie C at the same time as your cousin, Oleah E. Short. I know this because in my father-in-laws records he has a picture of the crew in front of the Winnie C and under the pictue is a list of the entire crew. In the picture SSgt Short is listed as Tail Gunner, Tampa FL. Just thought you would like to know