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USAAF 431st BS Former Assignments 11th BG 38th RS 7th BG 9th BS |
Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2050. Delivered to the U. S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17C Flying Fortress serial number 40-2049 and delivered to Fort Douglas Airfield. Assigned to the 11th Bombardment Group, 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. Nicknamed "Skipper" in honor of SSgt Angelini's six week old Scotch terrier mix puppy. On February 24, 1941 assigned to the 7th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Squadron at Selfridge Field in Michigan. Later, assigned to the 431st Bombardment Squadron. Mission History On December 6, 1941 took off from Hamilton Field piloted by 1st Lt. Robert H. Richards on an unarmed ferry flight bound for Hickam Field on Oahu. This bomber had the .50 caliber machine guns installed but carried no ammunition. Aboard was "Crew No. 7" including pilot 1st Lt Robert H. Richards, co-pilot 2nd Lt Leonard S. Humiston, Aviation Cadet William F. B. Morris, Aviation Cadet George E. Gammans, SSgt Joseph S. Angelini, SSgt Erwin B. Casebolt, SSgt Melvin D. Zajic, SSgt Lawrence B. Velarde, and Pvt Vernon D. Tomlinson. On December 7, 1941 in the morning incoming Japanese aircraft detected on radar were dismissed as the expected flight of B-17s and arrived during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and Oahu. This bomber was attacked by A6M2 Zeros from Akagi, including A6M2 Zero piloted by PO1c Juichiro Hanyu who mistook the B-17 as a transport aircraft. His attack scored hits on the bomber, causing damage and wounding two of the crew, one severely. Damaged, pilot Richards force landed at Bellows Field the nearest runway and was the last B-17 from the ferry flight to land on Oahu. On the ground, the wounded crew was rushed for medical attention. Doctors stated that the most wounded would have bled to death if the landing had been delayed longer. Afterwards, was hoped this B-17 could be repaired. Instead, it was used for spare parts and the rest scrapped. Contribute
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