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| USAAF 5th AF 19th BG 30th BS |
Pilot Captain C. H. Hillhouse, O-21838 (survived) Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. A. F. Neel, O-431973 (survived) Bombardier 1st Lt. R. B. Gooch, O-412732 (survived) Navigator 2nd Lt. R. L. Worley, O-434213 (survived) Engineer S/Sgt J. A. Foster, 6551202 (survived) Assist. Engineer Cpl Joseph C. Wateski, 7021588 (survived) Radio Sgt J. L. Hickey, 19000147 (survived) Gunner Pvt S. Schwimmer, 39678760 (survived) Gunner Cpl J. R. Bayles, 14070416 (survived) Crashed August 7, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2428. During May 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress serial number 41-2617. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG), 30th Bombardment Squadron (30th BS). No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On August 7, 1942 took off from 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Due to unknown reasons, this B-17 crashed without injury to any of the crew. This bomber was written off on October 31, 1944. Relatives Joseph C. Wateski (son of Joseph C. Wateski) "I feel that my father was a bona fide hero, having been awarded numerous Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Silver Star for gallantry in action." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2617 "2617 delivered to Minneapolis Mar 7, 1942; assigned to 19BG at Hickam, Hawaii May 13, 1942; crashed on takeoff at Port Moresby Aug 7, 1942. WO Oct 31, 1944." Gordon Manuel diary May 20-24, 1942 "May 20, 1942: Went down and took a look at the ship, it looks like a really fine ship it is a B-17E 2617. It has to have a new engine. They are sending a new engine down by air. May 23, 1942: Today I installed the bomb sight in the ship it sure looks like a honey. May 24 1942: This morning I made my first flight around the island.. It sure is very picturesque. The islands are all hills and mountains there are little towns all around the coastline the largest town is Nouméa, the capital. We had machine gun practice. We fired at an old merchant ship that had been run up on a coral reef. I fired over 100 rounds at it." History 19th Bombardment Group PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2617 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 19, 2021
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