The Crew of B-17F Spook III

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Attacked by numerous German Aircraft near Heligoland and are believed to have crashed into the North Sea
Surname/tag: Brunson

Biography

This is a Memorial to my cousin SSGT William Francis Brunson-1789 & the 8 men shot down in their B17F Flying Fortress aircraft, Spook lll #42-5882 which was part of the 336th Bomber Squadron of the 95th Bomber group that was stationed at RAF Horham field in Norfolk England. He had the ranking of Staff Sergeant. His B17F aircraft was believed to have been shot down over the North Sea after a bombing raid on Oschersleben, Germany.

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Found on Crew Memorial pages on Find A Grave

In looking through his & the other men's eyes before & after that fateful day, maybe we can piece together the events.

Here the list of men who were part of the 95th Bomber group. Not all perished that fateful mission of those that were aboard that B17F Flying Fortress fall in to 2 categories; they were on the mission or they weren't. Of those that were on the mission, there are several things that differentiate them again.

There were 20 men in the 95th Bomber Group.

1943: 8 Other: 12

of 1943: 6 interred together in Coton, England 1 interred in Belgium 1 in Brunson US

1) MAJ Donald Victor “Don” Abwender V Veteran 8 Sep 1921 – 30 May 1993 Amherst, Erie County, New York, USA No grave photo NP During World War II, Abwender was a pilot in the Army Air Forces. After the war, he served in the Air Force Reserve and later was honorably discharged with the rank of Major.

2) 1LT Ralph McNeilan Brown V Veteran 20 Apr 1914 – 28 Apr 1998 Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida, USA NP On 29 October 1942, Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. After training as a B-17 pilot, Ralph served with the 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, flying out of Horham, England. He flew 29 combat missions during his service.

3) SSGT William Francis Brunson V Veteran - Monument in England 13 Jun 1923 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England Brunson-1789 Per his Bio on Find A Grave Memorial ID: 56288173 William Francis Brunson enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Jan. 8th 1942 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Before he was listed as missing in action, he was a ball turret gunner in a B17F Flying Fortress aircraft which was part of the 336th Bomber Squadron of the 95th Bomber group that was stationed at RAF Horham field in Norfolk England. He had the ranking of Staff Sergeant. His B17F aircraft was believed to have been shot down over the North Sea after a bombing raid on Oschersleben, Germany.

4) 2Lt Warren W Guenther V Veteran - Monument in England 1919 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England NP Warren served as a Second Lieutenant & Bombardier on B-17F "Spook III" #42-5882, 336th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Walla Walla County, Washington prior to the war.

B-17F #42-5882 took off from Station 119 in England on a bombing mission to Germany. They were attacked by numerous German Aircraft near Heligoland and are believed to have crashed into the North Sea.

Warren was declared "Missing In Action" in this crash during the war.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # O-734674

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Airmen who perished on B-17F #42-5882:

Brunson, William F ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, OK Fear, Merle G ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, KS Guenther, Warren W ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, WA Lofton, Harold B ~ S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, IN Nix, Thomas J, Jr ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, SC Parker, William J ~ 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MS Paul, Alonzo G ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, NJ Regan, Francis J ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, NH Starkebaum, George D ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, MO Wilderson, Samuel F ~ 1st Lt, Right Waist Gunner, MD

Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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5) Lawrence Martin Jensen V Veteran 8 Jan 1921 – 1 Feb 1983 Fruitport, Muskegon County, Michigan, USA NP

6) SSgt Harold Britton Lofton V Veteran - Monument in England 12 Jun 1921 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England NP Researched and written by Evelyn Park Blalock:

Harold Britton Lofton was born in Eckerty, Crawford County, Indiana, to Britton Bernard Lofton and Allie R. Cox Lofton. He had one sister, Victoria, and two stepbrothers, Sylvester and Ernest. Sadly, Harold's mother died just before his third birthday. He and Victoria then moved to the home of their grandparents, William and Belle Lofton. Prior to enlisting in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Harold was working for Gunnison's Housing Corporation in New Albany, Indiana.

At enlistment, Harold was described as 5'7", weighing 145 pounds, with a light complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was trained as a Waist Gunner and assigned to the 336th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, flying out of Station 119 in Horham, England. There, he served as a Staff Sergeant aboard a B-17F, "Spook III" #42-5882.

On 28 July 1943, "Spook III" took off from Station 119 on a bombing mission to Germany. They were attacked by numerous German aircraft near Heligoland and are believed to have crashed in the North Sea. The entire crew was declared "Missing In Action" after the crash. Harold was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart, which were accepted by his father, Britton Lofton.

Harold is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing in Cambridge American Cemetery. A memorial plaque honoring Harold was also placed in Eckerty Cemetery.

Service # 35488707

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Airmen who perished on B-17F #42-5882:

Brunson, William F ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, OK Fear, Merle G ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, KS Guenther, Warren W ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, WA Lofton, Harold B ~ S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, IN Nix, Thomas J, Jr ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, SC Parker, William J ~ 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MS Paul, Alonzo G ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, NJ Regan, Francis J ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, NH Starkebaum, George D ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, MO Wilderson, Samuel F ~ 1st Lt, Right Waist Gunner, MD

Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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1. COL Donald Herman Merten V Veteran

23 Dec 1919 – 28 Sep 2004 San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, USA NP Veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Retired from the United States Air Force after 30 years of service in 1970. During World War II, he flew 25 combat missions as a B-17 pilot with the 95th and 100th Bomb Group.

7) 1LT Thomas Jefferson Nix Jr. V Veteran Remains in Brunson 12 Dec 1919 – 28 Jul 1943* Brunson, Hampton County, South Carolina, USA No grave photo NP Nix died while serving overseas as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He was buried overseas, but brought back to the States in 1949 for re-burial.

8)1LT Lloyd George “Bud” Oehlert V Veteran 21 Jun 1922 – 11 Sep 2010 Wea, Miami County, Kansas, USA NP Bud served during World War II as a B-17 pilot with the 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, flying out of Horham Airfield in England.

9) CPT Leslie B. Palmer V Veteran 3 Mar 1920 – 5 Aug 1964 Mason, Ingham County, Michigan, USA NP

CPT Leslie B. Palmer VVeteran

Birth 3 Mar 1920 Michigan, USA Death 5 Aug 1964 (aged 44) Mason, Ingham County, Michigan, USA Burial Maple Grove Cemetery Mason, Ingham County, Michigan, USA Plot Section R - Lot 2136 E 1/2 Memorial ID 42220391 · View Source

Memorial Photos 2 Flowers 4

Inscription: Capt A.A.F.

Husband of Eleanor I. Palmer

Les Palmer graduated from Mason High School in 1938. He was an exceptional pilot, having earned his pilot's license early in manhood, and often rented planes and performed stunt exhibitions over Mason. He joined the Army Air Force in 1942, and as he left for active duty in WWII, he flew over Mason. He buzzed the dome of the courthouse so closely that his aircraft spun the weather vane. Twice in the summer of 1943, he was able to land his aircraft in England after it was badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire and after being attacked by German fighter planes. On November 29, 1943, his plane was shot down over Germany. He was, for a time, considered missing in action. It was later found that he was detained in a German prison camp. He was liberated in May of 1945, and was able to come home to Mason. (Information from Mike Beard)

More Information from a find a grave contributor on February 11, 2019 as shown below

After training, Les was assigned as a B-17 pilot with the 95th Bomb Group, flying out of Horham Airfield (England). His crew flew 8 missions with the 336th squadron, with 3 flights being aborted. His crew then flew 7 missions with the 334th squadron, with 1 flight aborted and 1 downed (resulting in his capture). In this last sortie (their third flight aboard the 'Blondie III'), Ralph Guinzburg (navigator) was killed in action. All other crew members were taken captive, including Raymond Grass (co-pilot), Joseph Kolar (bombardier), George Holloway (radio operator), Joseph Wilbert (top turret/engineer), Max Waldo (ball turret gunner), Robert Nicholson (waist gunner), Robert Hare (waist gunner), and William Whitcomb (tail gunner). Ball Dunn Funeral Home Record for year 1964, Book 3, page 192, shows Leslie B. Palmer of West Columbia Street, Mason, Michigan, spouse, Eleanor Favorite, parents Victor L. Palmer and Erma House, Postmaster, born April 13, 1921 Michigan and died on August 5, 1964 at Mason General Hospital, Mason, Mich, cause of death Leukemia. Funeral was held on August 8, 1964 at the Presbyterian Church in Mason, Michigan with burial in Maple Grove Cemetery, Mason, Michigan, plot number 2136 E 1/2 Section R.

Note: Headstone shows year of birth as 1920 but funeral home records shows year of birth as 1921

10) 1Lt William J Parker V Veteran 1921 – 28 Jul 1943* Neuville-en-Condroz, Arrondissement de Liège, Liège, Belgium NP William served as a First Lieutenant & Co-Pilot on B-17F "Spook III" #42-5882, 336th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Lauderdale County, Mississippi prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 16, 1942 at Key Field, Meridian, Mississippi. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Actor and also as Single, without dependents.

B-17F #42-5882 took off from Station 119 in England on a bombing mission to Germany. They were attacked by numerous German Aircraft near Heligoland and are believed to have crashed into the North Sea.

William was "Killed In Action" in this crash during the war.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # O-793159

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Airmen who perished on B-17F #42-5882:

Brunson, William F ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, OK Fear, Merle G ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, KS Guenther, Warren W ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, WA Lofton, Harold B ~ S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, IN Nix, Thomas J, Jr ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, SC Parker, William J ~ 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MS Paul, Alonzo G ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, NJ Regan, Francis J ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, NH Starkebaum, George D ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, MO Wilderson, Samuel F ~ 1st Lt, Right Waist Gunner, MD

Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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1. COL Elmer Roscoe Parrish V Veteran

21 Jan 1918 – 7 May 1966 Lemay, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA NP Inscription US AIR FORCE COL WORLD WAR II, VIETNAM

11) TSgt Alonzo Gilbert Paul V Veteran 1918 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England NP

12) 1Lt Francis J “Frankie” Regan V Veteran 1920 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England NP Francis served as a First Lieutenant & Pilot on B-17F "Spook III" #42-5882, 336th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on February 5, 1942 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a sheet metal worker and also as Single, without dependents.

B-17F #42-5882 took off from Station 119 in England on a bombing mission to Germany. They were attacked by numerous German Aircraft near Heligoland and are believed to have crashed into the North Sea.

Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this crash during the war.

He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Service # O-665716

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Airmen who perished on B-17F #42-5882:

Brunson, William F ~ S/Sgt, Ball Turret Gunner, OK Fear, Merle G ~ Sgt, Tail Gunner, KS Guenther, Warren W ~ 2nd Lt, Bombardier, WA Lofton, Harold B ~ S/Sgt, Left Waist Gunner, IN Nix, Thomas J, Jr ~ 1st Lt, Navigator, SC Parker, William J ~ 1st Lt, Co-Pilot, MS Paul, Alonzo G ~ T/Sgt, Radio Operator, NJ Regan, Francis J ~ 1st Lt, Pilot, NH Starkebaum, George D ~ T/Sgt, Top Turret Gunner, MO Wilderson, Samuel F ~ 1st Lt, Right Waist Gunner, MD

Crew Report by: Russell S. "Russ" Pickett

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13) COL Cary Linthicum Savage V Veteran 14 Apr 1921 – 19 Oct 1976 Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA NP

14) LtCol Zach T. Stanborough V Veteran 26 Jun 1915 – 18 May 2006 New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, USA NP During World War II, Zach first planned on staying home to assist his mother. His father was already serving in the Merchant Marine, his sister was already working for the Army Air Corps, and his brother was already stationed with the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Arizona prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor (see notes at the bottom of this bio). But, Zach soon realized he could not remain out of the conflict, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on March 28, 1942.

After graduating from training as a bomber pilot, Zach was assigned to active duty in May 1943 and sent to Horham, England (East Anglia region). He initially served as a B-17 Co-Pilot with the 95th Bomb Group, predominantly with the 336th and 412th Squadrons of the 8th Air Force. After more advanced training, Zach served as a Command Pilot. In this role, Zach was in command of the bomber group, flying in the lead plane in formation as they entered the combat zone. It was extremely unusual for a pilot of Zach's experience and rank to be appointed to Command Pilot, and this status is truly a testament to his skill and mettle.

Zach flew 22 combat missions and 4 relief missions (operating over Nazi-occupied Germany, France, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Poland and Czechoslovakia). Flying in a B-17 was extremely dangerous work, with a shockingly high mortality rate. Statistically, the average life expectancy of a pilot or co-pilot in the 8th Air Force was 12-14 missions; tail gunners and ball turret gunners had an average life expectancy of only 4 missions. However, the planes that Zach piloted beat these odds significantly, with only 1 injury and 0 fatalities among his crew mates over 26 missions.

15) TSGT George D Starkebaum V Veteran 2 Jul 1914 – 28 Jul 1943* Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England NP

16) LT Clarence Rufus “Bud” Stotesbury V Veteran 23 Jun 1918 – 3 Jun 2011 Cremated NP

17) CPT Halcott Bratton Thomas Jr. V Veteran 9 Jul 1921 – 17 Sep 2014 Riverside, Riverside County, California, USA NP

18) CPT Milo Trbovich Thor V Veteran 29 Sep 1917 – 19 Jan 2002 Pleasant Hills, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA NP On April 8, 1942, Milo enlisted in the Army Air Corps, using his birth name of Milo Trbovich. After advanced training as a pilot, he served with various units as lead pilot for B-17 bombers. In February 1945, Milo was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, flying out of Horham Airfield in England. With the 95th BG, he flew 14 combat missions and 4 humanitarian missions. Milo was honorably discharged on January 3, 1947, having achieved the rank of Captain.

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Research Notes

• Added Research Notes field
• Sourced FAG for Memorial ID 56288173
• Added FAG Source
• Find A Grave Memorial for SSGT William Francis Brunson V
• Moved his AKA as SSGT to prefix
• Sourced FAG Virtual Memorial for the 95th Bomb Group Virtual Cemetary
• Added FAG Source
• Added raw data to Bio

Sources

• Source [Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56288173/william-francis-brunson: accessed 17 July 2023), memorial page for SSGT William Francis Brunson (13 Jun 1923–28 Jul 1943), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56288173, citing Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England; Maintained by EveyBl (contributor 47540842).]
• Source [Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/virtual-cemetery/1021897?page=1#sr-196680166: accessed17 July 2023), memorial page for Find a Grave Virtual Memorial 95th Bomb Group - Flew with Zach T Stanborough, citing Virtual Cemetaries created and maintained by EveyBl (contributor 47540842).]