Boeing B-17F, 42-30191

Boeing B-17F-90, s/n 42-30191, "the Bolevich", 525th Bombardment Squadron, 379th Bombardment Group, England, 1943

 

 

Identified crew

Lt. Donald W. Merchant - pilot (POW) (left, rear)

other crew

Lt. James E Sullivan - co-pilot (POW)

Lt. Ernest K Keith - navigator (POW)

Lt. Leonard J. Roman - bombardier (POW)

T/Sgt. Gene R Hecht - radio operator (KIA)

T/Sgt. Johannes H. Johnson - engineer (POW)

S/Sgt. Robert T. Tonge - ball turret gunner (POW)

T/Sgt. Harold B. Ridgely - right waist gunner (POW)

S/Sgt. Edgar Van Valkenberg - left waist gunner (POW)

S/Sgt. John L. Wierzbanowski - tail gunner (POW)

 

This aircraft was lost on 17 August 1943 when it crash landed near Elfershausen, Germany. All crew bailed out except Lt. Merchant who crash landed the aircraft. T/Sgt. Gene R Hecht was shot by Germans during an escape attempt from an Austrian prison camp.