B-17 named "Geronimo"

[bbrowniii]

Gentlemen,

I turn to you for help and advice.

This past Saturday I attended the funeral of a friend of a friend, Theodore Pierce. During World War II, he was a waist gunner on a B-17 in the 390th Bomb Group of the 569th Squadron named "Geronimo". His brother was the top turret gunner on the same plane. They both survived 35 missions.

I am trying to find out as much about this plane as I can and am hopeful some of you might have some suggestions for resources I should look at. I've included a picture of a picture that Ted's family has of his plane on a bombing run late in 1944. It is a little blurry, but in the actual pic you can see the tail number (which I have included).







Thanks, in advance, for any suggestions, information, or ideas.

[Deleted]

I won't swear to it,but it looks like a B17F.I had a similar case,looking for my Dads cousins A/C.As you know the Squadron,and the BG,you should be able to Google records of said unit,and maybe come up with other piccies of the A/C.Just the fact that they did 10 more sorties than used to be required,there will be a record somewhere?
IF you need anymore help,shout out,and I'll be only too pleased to have a poke about t'internet!

Quick Google,came up with this....
www.vetfriends.com/units/?unit=527226

That's just one hit.there are quite a few,just got to sort the wheat from the chaff,so to speak!

[bbrowniii]

Oct 10, 2013 10:19:53 GMT -5 @chrisb said:

I won't swear to it,but it looks like a B17F.I had a similar case,looking for my Dads cousins A/C.As you know the Squadron,and the BG,you should be able to Google records of said unit,and maybe come up with other piccies of the A/C.Just the fact that they did 10 more sorties than used to be required,there will be a record somewhere?
IF you need anymore help,shout out,and I'll be only too pleased to have a poke about t'internet!

Quick Google,came up with this....
www.vetfriends.com/units/?unit=527226

That's just one hit.there are quite a few,just got to sort the wheat from the chaff,so to speak!

Hey CeeBee,

Thanks for this info. I did do a search and found the 390th's commemorative website, which has been useful. I've been poking around the web a bit at some of the other hits on my search as well, but did not come up with this one. I also hoped to get some infor from the US Air Force Museum... except it is closed due to our disfunctional government.

[bbrowniii]

There is also another pic, of Ted and his brother (I think) standing near the nose of the plane. All the bombing mission tally marks are visible and Ted is holding a .50-cal. I don't have a copy of that one, but might be able to get it to see what else might be visible in the pic.

[Deleted]

You could also try Boeings site archives.If the s/n is the original,you should be able to track the A/C whole history?.I was lucky that when I did my research,all of the Squadrons sorties had been logged,with a/c deployed,and crews allocations.I did also have access to his Ops Log...

EDIT...Just found this......
www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_2.html

Scroll down to 30642......

[bbrowniii]

CeeBee

That is GREAT! You are the MAN! Thank you sir!

I don't think his family knew that his plane was ever shot down... interesting!

[Deleted]

if nothing else,it shows it was a later B17F.Be good to see if there is any nose art etc,piccies anywhere,eh?

[destrozas.]

if it's any help I found this:

www.390th.org/search/?390th_tax_squadron=93&tab=personnel

and:

www.390th.org/search/?390th_tax_acserial=146&tab=aircraft

on the same page are combat missions that Was:

www.390th.org/search/?390th_tax_acserial=146&tab=aircraft

I will continue looking information is see if I find something of the plane.

[destrozas.]

more info:

www.flickr.com/photos/ryanbobel/4546866306/

# 42 - 30642 CC - O " Geronimo "

[sabre]

Well what a totally interesting read and to actually have a photo of the gentlemen in question is amazing.



Sorry for hijacking your post bbrowniii but I was searching for any builds on the B-17's or B-24's after watching this clip tonight when I came across this amazing story and your search for the history of this B17.

I hope you don't mind if I share it with everyone as I thought it was appropriate after reading this and as a dedicated to the men that flew & crewed these mighty birds.

So as a tribute to Theodore B Pierce and the brave men that flew them.

[Rick]

This is all very fascinating stuff. What did we do before internet. This kind of info you can't find in a history book. Just reading down the list of aircraft serials and seeing how so many men and machines met their fate is mind boggling at the odds against so many aircrews. No wonder they were called "The Greatest Generation".

Rick

[sturmbird]

I wonder if he did the Scheinfurt / Regensburg missions?
gary