43-38433 unknown name SAL 4-14-45

B-17G-85-BO

 

August 2, 1944 Delivered to Cheyenne

August 12, 1944 to Kearney

August 22, 1944 to Grenier

August 30, 1944 Assigned to 18th Squadron, 34th Bomb Group, Mendlesham

 

MISSION LIST

 

Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38433 B/R 4BS Carter

Mission #66 September 22, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Richardson

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Ratcliff

Mission #68 September 26, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #69 September 27, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Perry

 

                       October 2, 1944 43-38433 B/R

On Marshalling Chart in Hanger #2 at 2100-2200 hours.

 

Mission #75 October 7, 1944 43-38433 B/R 7BS Runyan               Major damage.

Mission #76 October 9, 1944 43-38433 B/R Bouldin

Mission #77 October 14, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #78 October 15, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin           Major Damage

Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #91 November 21, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #92 November 25, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Ratcliff                Landed in Belgium

Mission #94 November 29, 1944 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #97 December 5, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Peede

Mission #98 December 6, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #99 December 11, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Harris

Mission #100 December 12, 1944 43-38433 B/R 391BS Bouldin

Mission #101 December 15, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #102 December 24, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Richardson, L

Mission #103 December 27, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin                Leaflets only.

Mission #104 December 28, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #105 December 30, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #106 December 31, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #107 January 2, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #108 January 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #110 January 10, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #111 January 13, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #112 January 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams

Mission #113 January 15, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler                One man WIA

Mission #114 January 16, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Mann

Mission #115 January 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #116 January 23, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #117 January 28, 1945 43-38433 B/R Abrams                  (Scheduled but did not take off)

Mission #118 January 29, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams

Mission #120 February 6, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler

Mission #121 February 9, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #122 February 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Thompson

Mission #123 February 15, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #124 February 17, 1945 43-38433 B/R 7BS James

Mission #125 February 19, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #126 February 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler

Mission #127 February 21, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Thompson

Mission #128 February 22, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Meuller

Mission #129 February 24, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #130 February 25, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #131 February 26, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Arand                 Chaff

Mission #132 February 27, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Mueller                Aborted - one engine out.

Mission #135 March 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #136 March 4, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #137 March 7, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bolser

Mission #141 March 12, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hall

Mission #142 March 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hall

Mission #144 March 17, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bolser

Mission #146 March 19, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Buchanan

Mission #147 March 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R (scheduled for Mehling but replaced)

Mission #148 March 21, 1945 43-38433 B/R (scheduled for Buchanan but replaced)

Mission #149 March 22, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Rawson

Mission #150 March 23, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #151 March 24, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Raymond

Mission #152 March 26, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Nass                Aborted mechanical - #4 engine

Mission #153 March 28, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hamilton

Mission #154 March 30, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #155 March 31, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Edwards

Mission #156 April 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hamilton

Mission #157 April 4, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fox

Mission #159 April 7, 1945 43-38433 B/R 391BS Feldman Took off 0920 Aborted - #3 engine out landed 1047.

 

April 14, 1945 B-17G 43-38433 B/R Crash-landed and salvaged. With 18BS. Pilot: unknown.

 

MISSION DETAILS

 

Mission #64 September 17, 1944 43-38433 B/R 4BS Carter

Mission #66 September 22, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Richardson

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Ratcliff

Mission #68 September 26, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #69 September 27, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Perry

Mission #75 October 7, 1944 43-38433 B/R 7BS Runyan  Major damage.

Mission #76 October 9, 1944 43-38433 B/R Bouldin

Mission #77 October 14, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #78 October 15, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin          

Major damage from flak, knocking out two engines. Crash landed upon return to England, but eventually repaired and flown again a month later.

One crewman, T/Sgt Chrisman, WIA in right arm and hand.

Bouldin (P)

Saunders (CP)

Attridge (N)

Boreen (B)

Chrisman, Thomas (R)         T/Sgt      WIA (Purple Heart not awarded until Oct 15, 2004, 60 years later. See story in email quoted below.)

Reynolds (E)

Hanson (TG)

Dachtler (NG)

McSpadden (G)

 

Mission #90 November 16, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #91 November 21, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #92 November 25, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Ratcliff                Landed in Belgium

Mission #94 November 29, 1944 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #95 November 30, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #96 December 4, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #97 December 5, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Peede

Mission #98 December 6, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #99 December 11, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Harris

Mission #100 December 12, 1944 43-38433 B/R 391BS Bouldin

Mission #101 December 15, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #102 December 24, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Richardson, L

Mission #103 December 27, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin                Leaflets only.

Mission #104 December 28, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #105 December 30, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #106 December 31, 1944 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #107 January 2, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #108 January 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #110 January 10, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #111 January 13, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bouldin

Mission #112 January 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams

Mission #113 January 15, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler                One man WIA

Mission #114 January 16, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Mann

Mission #115 January 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #116 January 23, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #117 January 28, 1945 43-38433 B/R Abrams                  (Scheduled but did not take off)

Mission #118 January 29, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Abrams

Mission #120 February 6, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler

Mission #121 February 9, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #122 February 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Thompson

Mission #123 February 15, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #124 February 17, 1945 43-38433 B/R 7BS James

Mission #125 February 19, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #126 February 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fiedler

Mission #127 February 21, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Thompson

Mission #128 February 22, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Meuller

Mission #129 February 24, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #130 February 25, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #131 February 26, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Arand                 Chaff

Mission #132 February 27, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Mueller                Aborted - one engine out.

Mission #135 March 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #136 March 4, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hemingway

Mission #137 March 7, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bolser

Mission #141 March 12, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hall

Mission #142 March 14, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hall

Mission #144 March 17, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Bolser

Mission #146 March 19, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Buchanan

Mission #147 March 20, 1945 43-38433 B/R (scheduled for Mehling but replaced)

Mission #148 March 21, 1945 43-38433 B/R (scheduled for Buchanan but replaced)

Mission #149 March 22, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Rawson

Mission #150 March 23, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #151 March 24, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Raymond

Mission #152 March 26, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Nass                Aborted mechanical - #4 engine

Mission #153 March 28, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hamilton

Mission #154 March 30, 1945 43-38433 B/R (unused ground spare)

Mission #155 March 31, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Edwards

Mission #156 April 3, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Hamilton

Mission #157 April 4, 1945 43-38433 B/R 18BS Fox

Mission #159 April 7, 1945 43-38433 B/R 391BS Feldman Took off 0920 Aborted - #3 engine out landed 1047.

 

April 14, 1945 B-17G 43-38433 B/R Crash-landed and salvaged. With 18BS. Pilot: unknown.

 

NOTE to Oct 15, 1944 mission.

----- Original Message -----

From: Casaigne Catherine A SrA 355 WG/PA

To: grayfox1@peoplepc.com

Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 2:28 PM

Subject: story

Sir, I'll see you tomorrow.

Let me know if I got anything wrong.

DM honors WWII Airman with Purple Heart on 60 year anniversary.

By Senior Airman Cat Casaigne

It's been said the generation of men and women who served in the great world wars was the "greatest generation," and the Desert Lightning Team had the chance to honor a member of that great generation by presenting a long over-due Purple Heart Oct. 15.

Oct. 15, 1944, 60 years prior to the day he received the award, Tech. Sgt. Thomas Chrisman was flying over Nazi Germany as a radio operator on a B-17 when he and his crew came under extreme anti-aircraft fire. A shell exploded right under the plane. The explosion injured Mr. Chrisman, who was hit with shrapnel in his right hand and arm. It also took out two engines and damaged a third. The bomber dropped out of formation and when the pilot gained control, they headed slowly home. Despite his injuries, Mr. Chrisman stayed on the radio, ensuring that if the crew and the bomber did not reach their base, there would be a rescue crew to pick them up. The plane did make it home to England where it successfully crash landed.

Col. Mike Spencer, 355th Wing commander, presented a Purple Heart to Mr. Chrisman, who had tears of joy streaming down his face, at a commander's call. Mr. Chrisman's family, to include his wife, children, grandchildren, and a great grandchild, were there to support him.

"I, like so many young men, went to war when the country needed me," Mr. Chrisman said. "I never asked my country for anything except for a place to live my life the way I wanted to live it. Thank God for the United States of America."

Mr. Chrisman said the crew he flew with had a goal: To go home to the United States together. After getting hit, Mr. Chrisman did not want to miss a mission, which would have made the goal impossible, so although he did seek medical attention, he played the injury off like a scratch, allowing his hand to heal with the shrapnel inside. The piece of shrapnel was removed from his hand two years ago.

"Today is the 60th anniversary of the day I was awarded this for," he said. "Back then, there was not the media like there is today and there was a fire in the hall of records in 1973 when all of my medical records were destroyed, so this has been a long time coming. Everyone else says it's about time, but I did not really know what to expect. It had happened during the war and I had just about given up on it. But my lovely wife persisted and we saw the results today."

Colonel Spencer said it was truly his honor to present the award to Mr. Chrisman.

"Mr. Chrisman is an Airman in every sense of the word," Colonel Spencer said at the commander's call. "He served his country in war and peace, and we have the chance to honor him for one of his truly heroic days. I am very proud to have this opportunity.  We in the Desert Lightning Team are very fortunate for your service, your sacrifice and the legacy you've set for us."

Oct. 15, 1944 was not the only time Mr. Chrisman's crew ran into trouble. On two other occasions, the crew was forced to crash land. One time, they crash landed while carrying 300 five gallon cans of fuel to Gen. Patton's Army.  Mr. Chrisman spent 2 years in the military where he completed 34 combat missions. He turned 20 years old one month after he entered the Army Air Corps.

"I had always had a love for airplanes and radio was a hobby of mine," he said. "The only advice I could give today's Airmen is learn all you can about your job and do it the best you can do, because the training you are going to get will save you live."

Mr. Chrisman said it was an honor to serve his country.

"I am very proud to receive the medal, and if I was able and my country needed me, yes, I would do it all over again," he said.

Very respectfully,

SrA Cat. Casaigne

355th Wing Public Affairs

228-2187