44-8328 unknown MIA 10-7-1944

B-17G-60-VE

August 8, 1944 Delivered to Kearney

August 13, 1944 to Ogden

August 20, 1944 to Grenier

August 22, 1944 Assigned to 391^st Squadron, 34^th Bomb Group, Mendlesham

Mission #64 September 17, 1944 44-8328 L/C 18BS Hartley (composite Sq. flying with 493BG) 

Mission #65 September 19, 1944 44-8328 L/C 391BS Marsden

Mission #66 September 22, 1944 44-8328 L/C 391BS Blair

Mission #67 September 25, 1944 44-8328 L/C (unused ground spare – lead)

Mission #70 September 28, 1944 44-8328 L/C 391BS Blair

Mission #71 October 2, 1944 44-8328 L/C 4BS Halbert

October 2, 1944 44-8328 L/C

On Marshalling Chart on Hardstand #22 at 2100-2200 hours.

Mission #72 October 3, 1944 44-8328 L/C 391BS Blair

Mission #74 October 6, 1944 44-8328 L/C 391BS Johanson

Mission #75 October 7, 1944 44-8328 L/C 18BS Kiley    Shot down. See below.

B-17G 44-8328 L/C Missing in Action Merseburg flak. This aircraft received a direct flak hit in the tail just after bombs away which sheared the tail section from the plane. The tail gunner was thrown free but his chute was not seen to open. The aircraft went into a dive straight down and was seen to crash. Crews reported at least two chutes that could have come from this plane. Crashed Merseburg. With 18BS. Pilot: Kiley. Missing Air Crew Report #9341. 3 Killed in Action, 6 Prisoner of War.

POW KILEY WARREN J (P)                              1 LT        18            O-807458                33            CHICAGO IL

KIA BAILEY DAVE H JR (CP)                          1 LT        18            O-817373                34            LAFAYETTE LA

POW STEINER HAROLD A JR (N)                  1 LT        18            O-712690                24            BEAL NJ

POW COVINGTON KENNETH I (B)                1 LT        18            O-697723                31            PENOLA VA

KIA FRICK WILLIAM R (E/TT)                       T/SGT    18            34645251                33            BLYTHEWOOD SC

POW CURTIN LEO A JR (R)                             T/SGT    18            34706383                34            E. OCEAN VIEW VA

POW BARRY WILLIAM J (BT)                        S/SGT     18            20223438                31            NORTH BERGEN NJ

KIA DYER FREDERICK R (TG)                         S/SGT     18            32488801                33            RIVERTON NJ

POW MONGEON OMER G (WG)                     S/SGT     18            31258541                34            MONEBURG MA

NOTE: CURTIN died November 29, 1944 as a POW.  CURTIN was awarded the DFC, AM/3OLC, & PH.

CURTIN LEO A JR is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, K-26-36. (Date of death listed: 7 Oct 44.)