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The following four crews represent all soldiers of the 303rd Bombardment Group
who fouft for democracy, freedom and peace.
B-17 42-29635 "Augerhead" of 358th Bomb Squadron Mission to Amiens/Gilsy, France on 31 August 1943
The B-17 of 1st Lt. Monahan lagged behind the formation, pulled out of the formation, heading for the coast and seeking cloud cover from attacking enemy fighters. The plane was last seen going down over Abbeyville, under control, with two enemy fighters attacking. |
| William J. Monahan |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Death:
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First Lieutenant (Pilot)
11037222 / O-791476
26 March 1920, Massachusetts
01 August 1986, East Sandwich, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA
66
Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA
Husband of Mary F. Monahan. |
| Martin L. "Pete" Clark |
 |
Rank:
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Second Lieutenant (Co-Pilot)
O-742136
|
| William Patrick Maher |
 |
Rank:
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2nd Lieutenant (Navigator)
11039617 / O-797343
19 October 1915, Manchester, Hillsborough, New Hampshire, USA
18 March 1953, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
38
St Joseph's Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire
Son of William J. and Mary Maher, nee Keaveney,
husband of Ruth C. Conklin |
Shot down over France in B-17 42-29635 "Augerhead" on the 31 August 1943 mission to bomb the Amiens/Glisy airfield, France. After bailing out, he landed just South of Abbeville, France. Helped by French patriots and the Belgian Comet evasion network, he crossed into Spain on 22 September 1943, reached Gibraltar on 1 October and was back in England on 5 October 1943.
After WW II, William Maher returned to the US and stayed in the Air Force, serving last as a Navigator/ Observer on RB-36 aircraft out of Rapid City. He was killed in service on 18 March 1953 flying in a RB-36H Peacemaker #51-13721 of the 28th SRW (Strategic Reconnaissance Wing)/ 718th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. The plane was on a low-level overwater training flight, just 1,000 ft over the ocean whitecaps, from the Lajes airfield in the Azores to its base at Rapid City, South Dakota. The RB-36 became lost in bad weather, had problems with its jet engines and crashed into a frigid wilderness hillside on Random Island, near Burgoyne Cove, Newfoundland. All twenty-three men aboard were killed, including Captain William Maher who was flying as an Observer, Radar Operator. | |
| Walter Hargrove |
 |
Rank:
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2nd Lieutenant (Bombardier)
O-734678
25 April 1919, Ballantine, Montana, USA
08 August 2001
82
Tahoma National Cemetery, Washington, USA
Son of John W. and Mary E. Hargrove. |
He escaped capture by German troups and came back to England via Royal Navy Motor Gun Boat (MGB-318) on 26 December 1943.
He remained in the US Air Force after the War and was serving in Korean and Vietnam conflicts. | |
| Marion D. Ignaczewski (also Donald M. Ignaczewski or D. M. Vogt) |
 |
Rank:
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Technical Sergeant (Engineer)
32269483
10 July 1917, Camden, New Jersey, USA
21 January 1994
76
Son of Stanley and Helen Ignaczenski, nee Vogt. |
Marion Ignaczewski was an Engineer in the 303rd Bomb Group/358th Bomb Squadron. He flew missions on the William Monahan crew, but was not flying with his Pilot when Monahan's B-17 "Augerhead" was shot down on 31 August 1943. | |
| Frank Kimotek (Probably) |
 |
Rank:
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Staff Sergeant (Radio Operator)
278091727
23 January 1915, Campbell, Mahoning, Ohio
03 August 1980, Campbell, Mahoning, Ohio
65
Tod Homestead Cemetery, Youngstown, Mahoning, Ohio
Son of Jacob and Josephine Kimotek. |
| Walter Gasser |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Staff Sergeant (Asst. Engineer)
35043171
23 February 1909, Amherst, Ohio
27 July 1981
72
Evergreen Cemetery, South Amherst, Lorain Co., Ohio, USA
Son of Fred and Rosa Gasser. |
| Alfred Reginald Buinicky |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
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Staff Sergeant
11040361
15 June 1920, North Charlestown, New Hampshire, USA
25 March 1983, Sumter, Florida, USA
62
Son of John Kastanas and Elizabeth Mary Buinicky, nee Kvalita
Husband of Edith Harriert Chase. |
Alfred Buinicky was a bench worker in a machine shop in Claremont, New Hampshire when he enlisted in August 1942. Sent overseas, he was assigned as a Ball Turret Gunner in the 303rd Bomb Group/358th Bomb Squadron in England. Shot down 31 August 1943 in B-17 "Augerhead". Initially evaded thanks to the help of French patriots and the Belgian COMET evasion network, he was captured by a German patrol near the Franco-Spanish border on 24 November 1943. Prisoner of War (POW). | |
| James H. Comer Jr. |
 |
Rank:
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Staff Sergeant (Waist Gunner)
11095636
27 March 1922, New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
17 January 1972, New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
49
Son of James Harrison Comer and Caroline I. Comer, nee Flesche.
|
S/Sgt James Comer Jr. was Left Waist Gunner on B-17 "Augerhead" of 303rd Bomb Group/358th Bomb Squadron when it was shot down on the 31 August mission to the Amiens/Glisy airfield. Prisoner of War (POW). | |
| David Miller |
 |
Rank:
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Staff Sergeant (Tail Gunner)
6666670
16 September 1917, Breathitt, Kentucky, USA
31 August 1943
25
St. Laurent, France
Son of Silas and Susan Miller, nee Russell |
B-17 42-97272 "Duchess Daughter" of 359th Bomb Squadron Mission to Beaumetz, France on 06 July 1944
After mission to V-weapons site at Beaumetz, France on 6 July 1944, landed at Molesworth, where upon the Co-Pilot raised the landing gear on roll out. |
| Patrick Harold Brabant |
 |
Rank:
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Second Lieutenant (Pilot)
16135530/O-813843
17 March 1922, Spaulding, Saginaw, Michigan, USA
19 April 1956, Barcelona, Anzoategui, Venezuela
34
Warren Cemetery, Gurnee, Lake, Illinois, USA
Son of Edward Joseph and Anna Brabant.
Husband of Mary Alice Landree.
|
Report of the death of an American Citizen:
Mr. Brabant was piloting an airplane which crashed on take-off at the airport at Barcelona and reportedly lived only a few minutes after the crash.
Patrick Harold Brabant worked for the Chicago Bridge & Iron Works in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. | |
| Philip Peck Heatherly |
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Rank:
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First Lieutenant (Navigator)
O-791591
29 January 1917, Saluda, Henderson, North Carolina, USA
02 March 1962, Miami-Dade, Florida, USA
45
Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Miami, Florida, USA
Son of James Walker and Inez Elizabeth Heatherly, nee Forrest.
Husband of Mildred Louise Bohnert. |
| Dana Allen Hodge |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Staff Sergeant (Flight Engineer, Top Turret Gunner)
38427396
28 July 1923, Lakenon, Hill, Texas, USA
24 May 1990, Texas, USA
66
Waco, McLennan County, Texas, USA
Son of Ruby A. and Rose Dove Hodge, nee McCauley.
Husband of Panila Joyce Hodge. |
| Ira John Judy |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Second Lieutenant (Co-Pilot)
O-818877
20 April 1923, Denison, Crawford, Iowa, USA
30 October 1994, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
70
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Son of Arthur Wilson and Laura. E. Judy, nee Yankey.
Husband of Judy Wanda Hauser. |
| Robert Perez Marquez |
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Rank:
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Sergeant (Airplane Armorer-Gunner)
39568357
24 Serptember 1924, Los Angeles, California, USA
Son of Loretto and Rubia Marquez. |
| John P. Millek |
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Rank:
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Sergeant (Engineer)
33188183
18 December 1920, Reading, Berks, Pennsylvania, USA
28 January 1988, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
67
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Son of Michael Millek. |
| Edward M. Praplaski |
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Rank:
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Staff Sergeant (Radio Operator)
31259511
29 September 1924, Gardner, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
27 November 2013, Frazer, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA
89
Philadelphia Memorial Park, Frazer, Cester, Pennsylvania, USA.
Son of John and Stella Praplaski, nee Kowtosky.
Husband of Joan Fach Praplaski. |
| Robert J. Valentine |
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Rank:
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Sergeant (Waist Gunner)
32765445
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B-17 42-29754 "Shangri-La Lil" of 360th Bomb Squadron Mission to Watten, France on 27 August 1943
Mission 64: Watten, France
The B-17F 42-29754 "Shangri-La Lil" of 2nd Lt. George W. Crockett was hit by an intense flak barrage near the bomb bay in the vicinity of St. Omer, France. The B-17 practically disintegrated in the air. The plane was south of the intended target when hit. The 303rd BG(H) formation had crossed the French coast south of Le Touguet, flew an easterly course and then turned to the left to fly a north-easterly course that was altered to north-westerly. The B-17 came down in a village called Morbecque, outside Hazebrouck. The front part of the B-17 was blown away. |
The above picture was taken on 12 August 1943. |
| Meran Avedis Barsam Jr. |
 |
Rank:
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Second Lieutenant (Co-Pilot)
19097344/O-742829
19 January 1919, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio, USA
27 August 1943, Morbecque, Hazebrouck, France
24
Normandy American Cemetery, Coleville-sur-Mer, France.
Son of Meran Avedis and Hazel H. Barsam, nee Robinson.
Husband of Irene Gertrude Harrah. |
| James Clarence Burke |
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Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Staff Sergeant (Tail Gunner)
13125289
06 April 1922, Mahanoy City, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania, USA
31 January 1948, Abington, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, USA
25
Son of Helen Burke and stepson of Thomas Boyle. |
| Benjamin Clarke Jr. |
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Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Staff Sergeant (Ball Turret Gunner / Right Waist Gunner)
36508282
|
| William John Cramsie |
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Second Lieutenant (Bombardier)
20248939/O-670020
06 March 1919, Belfast, Antrim, Northern Ireland
27 August 1943, Morbecque, Hazebrouck, France
24
Son of James Patrick and Alice Cramsie, nee Flynn. |
| George Wesley Crockett Jr. |
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Date of Death:
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First Lieutenant (Pilot)
16059573/O-737369
04 April 1923, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
27 October 1998, West Bloomfield, Oakland, Michigan, USA
75
Son of George Wesley and Beulah Mildred Crockett, nee Conrad.
Husband of Betty Loraine Vanderzee. |
| Eddie Duncan Homer |
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Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Sergeant (Left Waist Gunner)
38049809
15 November 1911, Arkansas, USA
08 December 1981, Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA
70
Elmwood Memorial Park, Abilene, Taylor, Texas, USA
Son of William Henry and Lettie Jane Homer, nee Raines.
Husband of Dorothy Ann Harbour. |
| Allen Dan(iel) Jaynes |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Master Sergeant (Radio Operator)
36513389
12 March 1921, Turner, Arenac, Michigan, USA
29 March 2000, Pinconning, Bay, Michigan, USA
79
Pinconning Township Cemetery, Pinconning, Bay, Michigan, USA
Son of Frank and Evelyn Grace Jaynes.
Husband of Patricia Lash. |
| Israel Raymond Millner |
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Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
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Second Lieutenant (Navigator)
17006506/O-674236
15 February 1919, St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
01 March 2001, St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
82
Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Cemetery, Ladue, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Son of Samuel and Sarah Millner. |
Other sources give Marion, Williamson County, Illinois, USA as the place of birth. | |
| Morris Tepper |
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Rank:
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Technical Sergeant (Top Turret Gunner)
32415990
14 October 1921, New York, New York, USA
27 August 1943, Morbecque, Hazebrouck, France
21
Son of Bessie Tepper. |
| Eugene Francis Williams |
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Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
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Staff Sergeant (Ball Turret Gunner)
32469422
29 September 1920, Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA
27 July 1997, Livingston, Essex, New Jersey, USA
76
Pleasantdale Cemetery, West Orange, Essex, New Jersey, USA
Son of George and Betrice E. Williams, nee Lutz.
Husband of Bertha K. Williams. |
B-17 44-8038 of 427th Bomb Squadron Mission to Cologne, Germany on 17 October 1944
Mission 681: 1,338 bombers and 811 fighters are dispatched on PFF attacks in the Cologne, Germany area. 465 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Cologne/Eifeltor and Cologne/Gremberg. The targets of opportunity were Cologne/Kalk marshalling yard. 453 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Cologne/Gereon and Cologne/Kalk. |
Lead crew on bombing mission to Köln, Germany and the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress 44-8038. |
| Vincent A. De Liso |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Death:
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Sergeant (Ball turret)
33795076
13 October 1921, Detroid, Michigan, USA
28 January 1986, Detroid, Michigan, USA
64
Assumption Grotto Cemetery, Detroid, Michigan, USA
Son of Joseph and Theresa Ann De Liso.
Husband of Ann Machura. |
| MacChesney Desmond |
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Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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First Lieutenant (Navigator)
11062644/O-694346
05 October 1919, Simsbury, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
08 February 2001, Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
81
West Meadow Cemetery, Newington, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Son of Thomas Henry and Olive Antoinette Desmond, nee Eddy.
Husband of Nancy Ferguson Schofield. |
| John R. Harris |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Flight Officer (Co-Pilot)
|
| Richard F. Healy |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Captain (Pilot)
O-755685
|
| Michael Joseph Kacere |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Second Lieutenant (Navigator)
O-723887
17 May 1922, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
abt. 1974, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
ca. 52
Son of Rev. Joseph Kacere and Mary Kacere.
The parents were born in Syria. |
| Elmer Edward Prusha |
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Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Flight Officer (Bombardier)
T3273
10 August 1922, Tama, Iowa, USA
21 April 2002, Tma, Iowa, USA
79
Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo, Tama, Iowa, USA
Son of Albert Henry and Sadie Pauline Prusha, nee Mehulka.
Husband of Carolyn J. Sturtz. |
| Joseph J. Robertson |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Technical Sergeant (Top Turret Gunner)
|
| Phillip E. Smith |
 |
Rank:
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Technical Sergeant (Radio Operator)
17065730
|
| Edgar E. Snyder Jr. |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
Cemetery:
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Colonel
O-35334
20 July 1917, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA
26 July 2005, Tucson, Pima, Arizona, USA
88
Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Sierra Vista, USA
Son of Edgar Ernest and Nora Irene Snyder.
Husband of Dorothy E. Snyder. |
| Howard Varnum Tollack |
 |
Rank:
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Date of Birth:
Date of Death:
Age:
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Captain (Navigator)
16025970/O-442158
08 August 1917, Wisconsin, USA
21 October 1973, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
56
Son of Julius Calot Tollack and Grace Iona Tollack, nee Varnum.
Husband of Beatrice Irene Olson. |
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All pictures
Picture owner: Unknown
Source: American Air Museum |
The pictures of the memorial are licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license. |
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