USAAF
5th AF
43rd BG
64th BS
Pilot Major Kenneth D. McCullar, O-393172 (KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt Byron G. Andrews, O-665265 (KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt Blaine McCord Jr., O-733445 (KIA)
Crew 2nd Lt John W. Schultz Jr., O-662304 (KIA)
Crew T/Sgt Elmer R. Hansen, 16028554 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Philip A. Zumwalt, 16019084 (KIA)
Crew Sgt Bert F. Bredemeier, 17038221 (KIA)
Crew Cpl George A. Mowad, 18089283 (KIA)
Crew Pvt David W. Stuckey, 14068148 (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Pierre R. O'Grady, 6146594 63th BS (KIA)
Crew S/Sgt Michael J. Paz Jr., 7021462 63rd BS (KIA)
Crashed April 12, 1943
Crew History
McCullar was the pilot of B-17F "Black Jack / The Joker's Wild 41-24521 until November 24, 1942.
Mission History
While taking off on a bombing mission from 7-Mile Drome, the tire and rim came off this B-17 on take off which might have punctured the bomber's hydraulic system. The aircraft cleared the runway but at about 200 yards after take off it caught on fire and crashed. The three 500 lb bombs aboard exploded and all on board were instantly killed. A dead wallaby was later found on the runway, but it is not known if this was the cause of the crash.
Diary of S/Sgt Gilbert L. Cameron, 41st FS:
"12 April 1943: One Flying Fortress taking off from our drome this morn. at 2:00 AM developed a cracked wheel spindle—crashed with a full bomb load—bombs let go a destroyed ship & crew."
References
This B-17 is incorrectly recorded as #209 in 63rd BS history.
B-17
McCullar Obituary
