2024 MEMBERSHIP
 JOIN OR RENEW NOW
 MEMBER APPLICATION FORM

Widener, Seth Grenell, Jr

Individual Personnel Data
Name Widener, Seth Grenell, Jr
Rank Second Lieutenant
Serial Number O-803326
Unit Assignments Assigned to the 547th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), per AAF Station 106 Special Orders #176 dated 28 December 1943, effective 28 December 1943.
Duty Pilot
MOS1091 - Pilot, B-17
Last Duty Date 11 February 1944
Results Prisoner Of War
POW Camp: Oflag 9A/H Spangenberg-Kassel Hessen-Nassau, Prussia 51-09
Additional Information
  • Date of Birth: 15 October 1921
Related Documents Missing Air Crew Report # 2529 (12.848 MB)
Photo Album:Crew Photo Album




Crew Composition When Assigned to the 384th BG
Replacement Combat Crew
CREWMEMBER POSITION RESULTS
2nd Lt. Widener, Seth Grenell, JrPilotPOW
2nd Lt. McNabb, Edward GordonCo-pilotTR
2nd Lt. Wickman, Alfred LouisNavigatorPOW
S/SGT. Smith, William EdwardRadio Operator / GunnerPOW
S/SGT. Cifelli, George EmilEngineer / Top Turret GunnerKIA

Crew History

The Widener Crew was assigned to the 547th BS on 28 December 1943. At that time, the crew included only the five members listed. The copilot, McNabb, was transferred after flying only two combat missions with other crews (while Widener flew his 'orientation' missions as copilot with an experienced crew).

Missions, Aircraft, Crews
This individual was credited with 8 Combat Missions.
Number Date Target Position Aircraft Mission/Sortie Information
51 7 January 1944 Target: Powerhouse
Type: Industry
Location: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Co-pilot 42‑37924 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron #4; assumed Squadron lead after assigned Squadron lead aircraft failed to take off; then led remaining group aircraft on the mission after weather broke up the group formation, causing most (including assigned group lead) to turn back.
Sortie Report
52 11 January 1944 Target: Ju-88 Aircraft Parts Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Halberstadt, Germany
Co-pilot 42‑29703 Combat Mission Credit
High Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
55 29 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Parts Plants
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Co-pilot 42‑31606 Combat Mission Credit
Low group.
Sortie Report
56 30 January 1944 Target: Aircraft Assembly Plant
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Brunswick / Braunschweig, Germany
Co-pilot 42‑31606 Combat Mission Credit
Lead group low Squadron deputy.
Sortie Report
57 3 February 1944 Target: Submarines (under construction)
Type: Submarine Facility
Location: Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Co-pilot 42‑31606 Combat Mission Credit
Low Group.
Sortie Report
60 6 February 1944 Target: Nancy/Essey Aerodrome
Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe)
Location: Nancy, France
Pilot 42‑39962 Combat Mission Credit
Sortie Report
61 8 February 1944 Target: Piston Ring Factory
Type: Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Pilot 42‑39962 Combat Mission Credit
Low Squadron.
Sortie Report
62 11 February 1944 Target: Propeller Factory (Foundry)
Type: Aircraft Industry
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Pilot 42‑39962 Combat Mission Credit
Failed To Return
Last seen approaching French Coast making a left turn losing altitude, going into a steep spiral and into a dive at 10,000 ft; fire in bomb-bay, from several accounts in the MACR; crashed near Saint-Vaast-d'Équiqueville, France. MACR 2529
Sortie Report

Every effort has been expended to ensure all information on this page is complete and accurate.
Please inform webmaster of any discrepancies or omissions by using the button below.