 |
358th Heckendorf Crew Marvin H. Heckendorf, Pilot |
About Us
Contact Us
Donate
Newsletters
8th AFHS
Links
FAQ
Facebook
Search
Personnel
Aircraft
Nose Art
B-17 Thunderbird
Ground Support
Uniforms
Journals
More Info
Mission Reports
Combat Crews
Individual Photos
Photos
POW
KIA
MACR
Overseas Graves
TAPS
MARVIN H. HECKENDORF CREW - 358th BS
PFF B-17G 42-97557 Mercy's Madhouse (358BS) VK-X
(crew assigned 358BS: 04 Oct 1944 - photo: 01 Dec 1944)
(Back L-R) 1Lt Marvin H. Heckendorf (P), 1Lt Robert L. Erickson (CP),
1Lt Kenneth R. Carnahan (N), S/Sgt Robert J. Weaver (TOG)
(Front L-R)
S/Sgt Robert L. Barris (BT),
T/Sgt Hubert W. Gallman (E),
T/Sgt Bill Windle (R),
S/Sgt Raymond W. Lary (WG),
S/Sgt David M. Koerner (TG)
(Ranks and grades at time of last combat mission)
Thirty-five credited combat missions flown by 1Lt Marvin H. Heckendorf: 258 (17 Oct 1944), 260, 261, 262, 263, 265, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277, 279, 280, 281, 283, 284, 285, 287, 290, 292, 295, 298B, 299, 300, 302, 304, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314 (14 Feb 1945). For Mission dates, targets and Mission Reports, see Combat Missions.
Crew Notes:
- 1Lt Marvin H. Heckendorf (P) - All missions flown as First Pilot. First Mission (258) flown with an experienced CoPilot. Completed his 35 mission combat tour on 14 Feb 1945 (Mission 314).
- 1Lt Robert L. Erickson (CP) - Flew on 25 missions with 1Lt Heckendorf (260, 261 ,262 263, 265, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277, 279, 280, 281, 283, 294, 285, 287, 292, 295, 299, 300, 304), six missions with other Pilots (266, 289, 293, 297, 298B, 301). Was upgraded from CoPilot to Pilot on orders dated 7 Jan 1945 and flew four missions as a First Pilot (309, 310, 311, 312). Substitute CoPilots used by the 1Lt Heckendorf Crew on 10 missions (258, 268, 290, 298B, 302, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314).
- 1Lt Kenneth R. Carnahan (N) - Flew on 12 missions with 1Lt Heckendorf (258, 260, 261, 262, 263, 265, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273) and 11 missions with other Pilots: With a regular combat crew Pilot (264); As a PFF Lead Crew Navigator with Bomb Groups as indicated (285 (303BG), 287 (303BG), 289 ( ? BG), 291A (91 BG), 292 (303BG), 295A 451 BG), 297 ( ? BG), 298A (92 BG), 299 (303 BG), 301 (381 BG), 316 (303BG). Was a member of a 91st BG(H) PFF Lead Crew Squadron for an unknown period of time. May have flown additional missions while on temporary duty with the 91st BG(H). Completed 23 known combat missions on 16 Feb 1945 (mission 316).
- S/Sgt Robert J. Weaver (TOG) - Flew on 26 combat missions with 1Lt Heckendorf (268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 277, 279, 280, 284, 285, 287, 290, 292, 295, 298B, 299, 300, 302, 304, 309, 310, 313, 314) and ten missions with other Pilots: As Togglier (262, 281, 283, 298, 301, 303, 315); As BTG (260, 261, 263). Completed combat tour (36 missions) on 15 Feb 1945 (mission 315).
- T/Sgt Hubert W. Gallman (E), T/Sgt Bill Windle (R), S/Sgt Robert L. Barris (BTG), S/Sgt Raymond W. Lary (WG) and S/Sgt David M. Koerner (TG). Flew on all of the 35 1Lt Heckendorf missions. Completed 35 mission combat tours on 14 Feb 1945 (mission 314).
Ten different B-17G's flown by 1Lt Heckendorf on his 35 credited combat missions:
Serial No. Aircraft Name Squadron ID-Code Missions Flown 42-97298 The Floose (358BS) VK-H 258 44-6503 Lady Alta (358BS) VK-F 260 43-37590 Neva - The Silver Lady (358BS) VK-Q 262 44-8427 Henn's Revenge (358BS) VK-E 370, 309 43-38065 Princess Pat 2 (358BS) VK-J 275, 300, 310, 312, 313, 314 43-38462 Teddy's Rough Riders (358BS) VK-I 281 43-38534 Bouncing Betty III (358BS) VK-N 264 42-97972 (No Name) (358BS) VK-N 261 43-38442 (No Name) (358BS) VK-F 263 43-38238 (No Name) (358BS) VK-L 299 44-6326 (No Name) (358BS) VK-C 265, 268, 269, 271, 272,
273, 274, 277, 279, 280, 283,
284, 285, 287, 292, 295, 298B, 302, 304
[Researched by Harry D. Gobrecht, 303rdBGA Historian Emeritus]