42-31724

Dear M.O.M.

Photo from Harley Tuck's collection, very possibly 42-31724 Dear M.O.M.
Note flak-damaged bomb bay door

42-31724, Dear M.O.M., a B-17G-10-BO built in Seattle in October 1943, and was delivered to the 447th at Rattlesden on January 18, 1944, and assigned to the 708th Squadron.

724 was to become the replacement for the Gilleran crew's 42-31145, Hi-Jinx, lost on February 6 over France with the Reed crew on board.  The name Dear M.O.M. was chosen by the Gilleran crew as a tribute to their bombardier, Lt. Marion O. McGurer, who was wounded in action on Feburary 4 and removed from flight duty.  

 

Combat Missions:

No.

DATE

 TARGET PILOT
1  02/20/44  TUTOW Gilleran
2 02/21/44 DIEPHOLZ Goetz
3 02/24/44 ROSTOCK Gilleran
4 02/25/44 REGENSBURG Gilleran
5 02/28/44 NOBALL NO. 74 BOIS DE LA JUSTICE Eastman
6 02/29/44 BRUNSWICK Gilleran
7 03/03/44 BERLIN - RECALL Gilleran
8 03/09/44 BERLIN  Gilleran
9 03/11/44 MUNSTER Gilleran
10 03/11/44 MUNSTER Johnson, K.A.
11 03/15/44 BRUNSWICK Gilleran
12 03/22/44 BERLIN Gilleran
13 03/26/44 NOBALL NO. 93 LA SORELLERIE Gilleran
14 03/27/44 MARIGNAC CHARTRES Gilleran
15 03/28/44 CHARTRES Gilleran
16 04/01/44 LUDWIGSHAFEN Gilleran
17 04/10/44 DIEST SCHAFFEN Flemming
18 04/11/44 ARNIMSWALDE Eastman
19 04/13/44 AUGSBURG Gilleran
20 04/18/44 ORANIENBURG RATHNOW Davis
21 04/20/44 NOBALL Gilleran
22 04/22/44 HAMM Gilleran

 

Amid flak bursts, Dear M.O.M. is seen going down in flames
Photo from Harley Tuck's collection

As listed in MACR 4174, A/C 42-31724 Dear M.O.M.
Pilot Lt Thomas W. Gilleran POW
Copilot 2Lt Henry E. Mamlock POW
Navigator 2Lt Richard L. Lazarus POW
Bombardier 2Lt Louis T. Wigdorwitz POW
Top Turret T/Sgt Charles H. McHugh POW
Radio Operator T/Sgt Harley H. Tuck POW
Ball Turret S/Sgt M. D. Harris POW
Left Waist S/Sgt Fred T. Hawley POW
Right Waist S/Sgt Eugene A. Kealer POW
Tail Gunner S/Sgt Donald A. Worley POW

Dear M.O.M is reported to have crashed near Werl, Germany.