I am looking for info on my dad. I have a pic of him with crew. B17 with # 6163 on plane. I know he was a turret gunner with 340th bomb squadron, 97th bomb group. would love to know if any of his crew is still note alive. He passed away in 82, & I am keeping his memory alive with a commemorative wall in my house. also, am searching for info on my father-in-law who just recently passed away. his name is Elmer Lavern Littrell. He was in the "alley oop" squadron with a B25. Both enlisted in 1943 at Jefferson Barracks in ST. Louis,MO. thanks, Lori Littrell     added  notation:  Elmer was in 820th bomb squadron 41st bomb group 7th air force

Lori -
Were the #s 6163 on the nose of the B-17 ?
If so - This was the ferry # when they flew the New B- 17
from U.S. to Final Destination.
There are some Good 97th Guys on the forum - Keep Checking
PS - You should post request re Elmer on the 41st BG Forum
Mike

thanks for your quick response, you told me something i did not know. also i know one name with my dad was Russel Trost. appreciate any & all info !!!
lori   p.s. yes the #s are on the nose 

sorry, i forgot to answer your question, yes, the #s are on the nose !

Lori...I am confused...How are the numbers on the nose....are they under the left cockpit sliding window ?
Are they in the data information that starts with B-17x-yy-BO, or DL, or VE ?
Does the data information show in your photo ?

The correct information should read thus :

U.S. ARMY  B-17G-90-VE
AIR FORCE SER. NO. 44-8959  (These numbers are an example)

The above will be the serial number of the aircraft...also will be the number on the vertical stabilizer and rudder....48959...the first "4" is dropped.

I have Dick Drain's 5th Wing History of Aircraft Assigned and 6163 does not appear in any 5th WIng BG listing, let alone the 97th BG.

Jim :-)

Jim :-)

James S. Peters Sr. T/Sgt
B-17 Flt Engr, 27 missions
99 BG, 348BS, 5th Wing, 15th AAF
Tortorella, (Foggia#2), Italy
My Tour was from 12/03/44-06/19/45
M/Sgt USAF (Retired)

hi, the best i can tell, the #s are on the very front of the nose, just beyond the propeller.they are large white #s : 6163, no other #s or writing anywhere visible. there is a small plaque on the ground in front of the crew of 10. there are 4 #s on this plaque, i can only make out three;  769. the nose #s appear to be under a gun , where there are three windows: one large, two small, none of which appear to open. i know my dad flew over italy, & according to my mom, his plane was shot down, where he was carried in a cart full of straw beyond enemy lines to safety. i recently found out from my brother that my dad was in two different squadrons, does this make sense? the other squadron & bomb group are:773rd bomb squadron, 463rd bomb group. army serial # 37613888. service dates: may 14 1943 to oct 19 1945    lori
 
p.s. looking at some pics, found that he was in 15th Air Force

hey out there, someone please let me know if you have any crew photos of the 340th 97th bomb group, thanks, lori littrell

I am so frustrated !!! I feel like my father & his memory have been lost. On his discharge paper his # is 37613888 tech sergeant 773rd bombardment squadron 463rd bombardment group. given at AAF separation base santa ana california oct. 19th 1945. on his dd214 paper it states : air combat balkans  no. pennines po valley rhineland .entry into service, may 14th 1943 jefferson barracks, mo. i have originally looked in 340th 97th bomb group because my brother said he was in this also. i am confused about these , but my brother was in the vietnam war, so he has some military knowledge. please help!!!!     lori littrell