Technical Sergeant (TSgt), B-17G "Flying Fortress" Radio Operator, 749th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, World War II, European Theater of Operations
Awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal
Killed in Action (KIA) Mission No. 91, B-17G aircraft #42-97601 "GYPSY GAL", Target - Augsburg
Mission Narrative:
The 457th put up 34 aircraft for this mission to Augsburg as part of a force of 1200 heavy bombers. This was the first mission where a new 12 ship boxes was used. Lt Col Wilson led the three 12 ship boxes. Just before the turn on the IP, the formation was hit by force of about 40 or 50 ME-109's and FW-190's but the planes did not press their attack. Most peeled off before they got within gun range. One deputy lead plane from the 457th was hit and two engines set afire. The plane left the formation and later exploded. Bombing results were good and flak was heavy. Eighteen planes suffered flak damage and the mission was considered successful.
Plane s/n 42-97601, piloted by Lt Noel A. Cunefare, was flying a deputy lead when they were attacked by a force of about 25 ME-109's. The fighters struck head on and their #4 engine was blown off the wing. The plane dropped out of formation with two engines on fire. They considered trying to make Switzerland but the conditions worsened and the order was given to jump and most of the crew did. Some were still aboard when the plane exploded. (See Wes Atkins account of this incident in "Black Puff Polly - Mission No 91", by Roland Byers.)
Aircrew:
Pilot Lt Noel A. Cunefare KIA
(Find A Grave Memorial# 69890915)
Copilot Capt Jerome E. Godfrey KIA
Navigator Lt Wesley C. Akins POW
Bombardier Lt Donald W. Barton POW
Aircraft Engineer Sgt Howard S. Drake POW
Radio Operator Sgt Frank L. Nunn KIA
Left Waist Gunner Sgt Ralph T Hodson POW
Ball Turret Gunner Sgt Joseph W. Duvall, Jr. POW
Tail Gunner Sgt John C. Sampson KIA
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 7548
Awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal
Killed in Action (KIA) Mission No. 91, B-17G aircraft #42-97601 "GYPSY GAL", Target - Augsburg
Mission Narrative:
The 457th put up 34 aircraft for this mission to Augsburg as part of a force of 1200 heavy bombers. This was the first mission where a new 12 ship boxes was used. Lt Col Wilson led the three 12 ship boxes. Just before the turn on the IP, the formation was hit by force of about 40 or 50 ME-109's and FW-190's but the planes did not press their attack. Most peeled off before they got within gun range. One deputy lead plane from the 457th was hit and two engines set afire. The plane left the formation and later exploded. Bombing results were good and flak was heavy. Eighteen planes suffered flak damage and the mission was considered successful.
Plane s/n 42-97601, piloted by Lt Noel A. Cunefare, was flying a deputy lead when they were attacked by a force of about 25 ME-109's. The fighters struck head on and their #4 engine was blown off the wing. The plane dropped out of formation with two engines on fire. They considered trying to make Switzerland but the conditions worsened and the order was given to jump and most of the crew did. Some were still aboard when the plane exploded. (See Wes Atkins account of this incident in "Black Puff Polly - Mission No 91", by Roland Byers.)
Aircrew:
Pilot Lt Noel A. Cunefare KIA
(Find A Grave Memorial# 69890915)
Copilot Capt Jerome E. Godfrey KIA
Navigator Lt Wesley C. Akins POW
Bombardier Lt Donald W. Barton POW
Aircraft Engineer Sgt Howard S. Drake POW
Radio Operator Sgt Frank L. Nunn KIA
Left Waist Gunner Sgt Ralph T Hodson POW
Ball Turret Gunner Sgt Joseph W. Duvall, Jr. POW
Tail Gunner Sgt John C. Sampson KIA
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 7548
Technical Sergeant (TSgt), B-17G "Flying Fortress" Radio Operator, 749th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces, World War II, European Theater of Operations
Awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal
Killed in Action (KIA) Mission No. 91, B-17G aircraft #42-97601 "GYPSY GAL", Target - Augsburg
Mission Narrative:
The 457th put up 34 aircraft for this mission to Augsburg as part of a force of 1200 heavy bombers. This was the first mission where a new 12 ship boxes was used. Lt Col Wilson led the three 12 ship boxes. Just before the turn on the IP, the formation was hit by force of about 40 or 50 ME-109's and FW-190's but the planes did not press their attack. Most peeled off before they got within gun range. One deputy lead plane from the 457th was hit and two engines set afire. The plane left the formation and later exploded. Bombing results were good and flak was heavy. Eighteen planes suffered flak damage and the mission was considered successful.
Plane s/n 42-97601, piloted by Lt Noel A. Cunefare, was flying a deputy lead when they were attacked by a force of about 25 ME-109's. The fighters struck head on and their #4 engine was blown off the wing. The plane dropped out of formation with two engines on fire. They considered trying to make Switzerland but the conditions worsened and the order was given to jump and most of the crew did. Some were still aboard when the plane exploded. (See Wes Atkins account of this incident in "Black Puff Polly - Mission No 91", by Roland Byers.)
Aircrew:
Pilot Lt Noel A. Cunefare KIA
(Find A Grave Memorial# 69890915)
Copilot Capt Jerome E. Godfrey KIA
Navigator Lt Wesley C. Akins POW
Bombardier Lt Donald W. Barton POW
Aircraft Engineer Sgt Howard S. Drake POW
Radio Operator Sgt Frank L. Nunn KIA
Left Waist Gunner Sgt Ralph T Hodson POW
Ball Turret Gunner Sgt Joseph W. Duvall, Jr. POW
Tail Gunner Sgt John C. Sampson KIA
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 7548
Awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, American Campaign Medal & World War II Victory Medal
Killed in Action (KIA) Mission No. 91, B-17G aircraft #42-97601 "GYPSY GAL", Target - Augsburg
Mission Narrative:
The 457th put up 34 aircraft for this mission to Augsburg as part of a force of 1200 heavy bombers. This was the first mission where a new 12 ship boxes was used. Lt Col Wilson led the three 12 ship boxes. Just before the turn on the IP, the formation was hit by force of about 40 or 50 ME-109's and FW-190's but the planes did not press their attack. Most peeled off before they got within gun range. One deputy lead plane from the 457th was hit and two engines set afire. The plane left the formation and later exploded. Bombing results were good and flak was heavy. Eighteen planes suffered flak damage and the mission was considered successful.
Plane s/n 42-97601, piloted by Lt Noel A. Cunefare, was flying a deputy lead when they were attacked by a force of about 25 ME-109's. The fighters struck head on and their #4 engine was blown off the wing. The plane dropped out of formation with two engines on fire. They considered trying to make Switzerland but the conditions worsened and the order was given to jump and most of the crew did. Some were still aboard when the plane exploded. (See Wes Atkins account of this incident in "Black Puff Polly - Mission No 91", by Roland Byers.)
Aircrew:
Pilot Lt Noel A. Cunefare KIA
(Find A Grave Memorial# 69890915)
Copilot Capt Jerome E. Godfrey KIA
Navigator Lt Wesley C. Akins POW
Bombardier Lt Donald W. Barton POW
Aircraft Engineer Sgt Howard S. Drake POW
Radio Operator Sgt Frank L. Nunn KIA
Left Waist Gunner Sgt Ralph T Hodson POW
Ball Turret Gunner Sgt Joseph W. Duvall, Jr. POW
Tail Gunner Sgt John C. Sampson KIA
Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) 7548
Inscription
Frank L. Nunn
TSgt ~ 749th Bomber Squadron
457th Bomber Group, Heavy
Missouri ~ 37411267
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Missouri.
Family Members
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