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| USAAF 13th AF 5th BG 72nd BS Former Assignment 31st BS |
Pilot 1st Lt. Donald G. Hyland, O-413597 (rescued) Engineer T/Sgt John P. McCorcle (rescued) Crashed December 16, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Boeing at Seattle. Constructors Number 2332. This bomber was originally intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as part of the lend-lease agreement with RAF roundels applied at the factory. Instead, delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2521. On January 25, 1942 delivered to Ogden, UT. On February 18, 1942 at Hill Airfield. On April 12, 1942 at Cheyenne, WA. On May 8, 1942 at Lowry Field. On May 29, 1942 at Hamilton Field. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Bombardment Group (5th BG), 31st Bombardment Squadron (31st BS). Next, assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Squadron (72nd BS) and ferried across the Pacific to the South Pacific (SoPAC). During September 1942 nicknamed "G. I. Angel". Mission History On December 16, 1942 at 6:45am took off from Bomber 1 Airfield on Espiritu Santo (Buttons) piloted by 1st Lt. Donald G. Hyland armed with twenty 100 pound fragmentation bombs as one of six B-17s on a bombing mission led by Captain Hall against Munda Airfield on New Georgia. This B-17 was part of the first element, no. 3 bomber. Aboard was a crew from the 42nd Bomb Squadron. At 11:58am the formation arrived over the target area and spotted by enemy fighters that did not attack. After releasing their bombs, the formation was intercepted by twelve A6M Zeros. This B-17 was attacked by a Zero that made a head on attack that damaged the no. 1 engine causing it to race to high rpm. and the no. 2 engine was hit in the oil tanks and neither engine could be feathered. During another attack, the ball turret was hit in three places and the nose was hit. A terrible vibration began in the bomber and Hyland prepared the crew to bail out, but the B-17 stabilized. While the damaged B-17 descended, it was escorted by Hensley's bomber. When it began to loose control again, the B-17 was successfully ditched into the sea and remained afloat for 1 minute 15 seconds. Fates of the Crew The entire crew survived the landing with only minor injuries, deployed their life rafts and paddled to the nearest island. At 5:13pm, a PBY Catalina landed to rescue the crew and transported them to Guadalcanal arriving at 6:45pm. Afterwards, the entire crew returned to duty. Diary of Lt. Aaron A. Sprong, M.D., 13th Air Force Flight Surgeon - 16 December 1942 "Capt Hyalind [Hyland's] plane was shot down, made a good water landing - I saw it. All men got out onto life rafts. No. 1 and 2 engines were shot up bad, gasoline pouring out. PBY picked up all men on life rafts about 30 miles from Minga Point and were down at Guadalcanal by 7 PM. None injured seriously - just minor contusions and lacerations." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2521 "2521 Del Ogden 1/25/42; Hill 2/18/42; Cheyenne 4/12/42; Lowry 5/8/42; Hamilton 5/29/42; slated RAF but trans 72BS/5BG Hawaii 5/30/42; fate unknown after 6/15/44. Salvaged Hawaii Aug 10, 1944." “A Short Biography of Staff Sergeant James C. Stephens Jr.” by Paul S. Stephens April 2008 Captain Hyland report on the downing of his aircraft December 16, 1942 Diary of Lt. Aaron A. Sprong, M.D., 13th Air Force Flight Surgeon - 16 December 1942 Fortress Against The Sun (2001) by Gene Salecker page 334, 386 incorrectly lists this B-17 participating on a mission January 18, 1943 Thanks to Steve Birdsall and Edward Rogers for research and analysis Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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