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Bonacker, Marlyn Ray

Individual Personnel Data
Name Bonacker, Marlyn Ray   
Rank Corporal / Sergeant
Serial Number 39473149   
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 544th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #65 dated 25 March 1945, effective 25 March 1945.
Duty Tail Gunner
MOS611 - Aerial Gunner
Last Duty Date 6 April 1945
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Captured after parachuting to safety after the 6 April 1945 mid-air collision, Bonacker was interrogated and confined in a makeshift detention facility he referred to as 'STALAG IV-F' in Hartmannsdorf, Germany. However, he escaped when his guards fled in the face of advancing Allied Armies. Therefore, no POW records regarding him have been found.
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 14 January 1926
  • Promoted to Sergeant effective 4 April 1945 per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #73 dated 4 April 1945.
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 13851 (9.305 MB)
2014 Interview Transcript
2017 - A Tail Gunner's Story
2016 Veteran's History Project Oral History Interview
Photos of this Veteran signing the Wing PanelBonacker Signing




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Martino, Dominick ThomasPilotKIA
2nd Lt. McGill, Arthur CCo-pilotFCMEW
2nd Lt. Johnson, Thorston JuliusNavigatorKIA
2nd Lt. Crawford, Raymond Harold, JrBombardierKIA
S/SGT. Weeks, Thomas Clayborn, JrRadio Operator / GunnerKIA
CPL. Gatto, Stephen LawrenceEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA
SGT. May, Frank DeanBall Turret GunnerKIA
CPL. Bonacker, Marlyn RayTail GunnerPOW
CPL. Reaves, Phien DFlexible GunnerFCMEW

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 1 Combat Mission.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
304 5 April 1945 Target: Ordnance Depot
Type: Military
Location: Ingolstadt, Germany
Tail Gunner 43‑38016 Aborted Mission After Taking Off
Turned back after #4 prop sheared off.
Sortie Report
305 6 April 1945 Target: Railroad Marshalling Yards (Visual Primary)
Type: Transportation
Location: Leipzig, Germany
Tail Gunner 43‑38801 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Collided with 43‑39164 after target at 1018 hrs.
Sortie Report

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