| Serial Number: | 42-5883 |
| Name: | WEARY WILLIE / NO NAME JIVE |
| Manufacturer: | Built by the Vega Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of Lockheed Corporation, B-17F-30-VE, Camouflage |
| Squadron: | 544th Bombardment Squadron (H) |
| Squadron ID Code: | 544th‑SU*D |
| Start Date: | 6 July 1943. Transferred: Received from the 96th BG.. |
| Missions: | This aircraft was credited with 3 combat missions with the 384th. |
| End Date: | 25 July 1943. Failed to return from combat operations. |
| Photo Album: | No Photo Album For This Aircraft |
| History: | 42-5883 Delivered to Long Beach, California on 20 April 1943. Moved to New Castle Army Air Field, Delaware on 30 April 1943 and then to Presque Isle, Maine on 5 May 1943. Assigned to the 413th Bombardment Squadron, 96th Bombardment Group at Andrews Field, Maryland (named OLD PUSS II). Moved to Snetterton Heath, Station 138, UK on 12 June 1943. Transferred to the 544th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code SU*D, 384th Bombardment Group, Station 106, on 6 July 1943. The ship went Missing in action (MIA) on a mission to Hamburg, Germany on 25 July 1943. Pilot Thomas J. Estes, Copilot James M. Merritt, Navigator John J. Dubois, Bombardier David H. David, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner David L. Cochran, Radio Operator Frederick S. Wagner {in attempting to release some hung up bombs, Wagner's oxygen failed and he fell out of the bomb bay, but eventually came round and pulled his rip-cord, landing safely}, Ball Turret Gunner William J. O'Donnell, Tail Gunner Barton C. McDuffie, Waist Gunner James M. Self and Waist Gunner George Ursta landed safely (10 RTD). The aircraft was shot down by enemy aircraft and ditched in the North Sea, Northwest of Heligoland, Germany. The crew was eventually picked up by a Danish fisherman who transferred them to an Air Service Rescue launch. Aircraft Name: WEARY WILLIE aka NO NAME JIVE |
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| Number | Date | Target | Results | Mission/Sortie Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | 9 July 1943 | Abbeville, France, RECALLED | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑3330. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 7⇗ | 10 July 1943 | Target: Drucat Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Abbeville, France | Scrubbed: Did Not Take Off | Replaced by Ground Spare Aircraft 42‑3330. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 8⇗ | 14 July 1943 | Target: Villacoublay Airfield Type: German Air Force (Luftwaffe) Location: Paris, France | Completed Mission | High Squadron lead, group deputy. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 9⇗ | 24 July 1943 | Target: Aluminum & Magnesium Plants Type: Industry Location: Herøya, Norway | Completed Mission | Group lead. Sortie Report ⇗ |
| 10⇗ | 25 July 1943 | Target: Blohm & Voss Aircraft Works and Shipyard Type: Industry Location: Hamburg, Germany | Failed To Return: Ditched | Low Squadron Lead. Damaged by flak and fighters, ditched in the North Sea. Rescued by a Danish fishing boat; returned to duty. Sortie Report ⇗ |