Aircraft History
Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2685. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Ferried overseas via Hickham Field.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 13th Air Force, 11th Bombardment Group. Assigned to pilot Lt. Col Brook Allen.

B-17 was flown from Hickam Field with an extra bomb bay fuel tank to Midway Airfield on Eastern Island to search for Japanese Naval forces and participated in the Battle of Midway then returned to Hickam Field.

Later, assigned to the 42nd Bombardment Squadron to pilot Lt. Col Brook Allen. Nicknamed "Los Lobos". Later, renamed "Road Home" and "Rover Boy".

In July 1942 took off from Hickam Field via the Pacific to New Caledonia. On June 12, 1943 this B-17 was flying from Espititu Santo.

On September 27, 1942 photographed Gizo Harbor from 7,500'.

On December 16, 1942 one of six took off at 6:45am from Bomber 1 Airfield on Espiritu Santo (Buttons) piloted by Captain Earl O. Hall leading a bombing mission against Munda Airfield. Also aboard was radio operator S/Sgt James C. Stephens, Jr. Each bomber was armed with twenty 100 lb fragmentation bombs. Arriving over the target at 11:58 and spotted by enemy fighters that did not attack. After bombing the target, the formation was intercepted by twelve A6M Zeros.

During August 1944, received by the 13th Air Depot Group at Tontouta Airfield on New Caledonia and condemned. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared.

References
“A Short Biography of Staff Sergeant James C. Stephens Jr.” by Paul S. Stephens April 2008
Thanks to Steve Birdsall, Janice Olson and Edward Rogers for additional information

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Last Updated
October 23, 2019