Michael Arooth, B-17 gunner ace

[RSwank]

Aircraft 42-29896 379th BG, 527th SQ. (FO-V) "Tondelayo" ditched on the Stuttgart (ball bearings) missions, September 6, 1943 but all 10 men returned.

Fawkes Bohn E. Jr, 2nd Lt, P
Mauldin, Charles A, 2nd Lt, CP
Bendiner, Elmer S, 2nd Lt, N
Hejny, Robert L, 2nd Lt, B
Reinhard, Frederick J, T/SGT, RO
Reedman, Lawrence H, T/SGT, TT
Gray, Walter J, T/SGT, BT
Edwards, Harry L, S/SGT, RW
Leary, John A, S/SGT, LW
Arooth, Michael (NMI), T/SGT, TG

A little on Arooth here:
https://lflank.wordpress.com/2015/03...forgotten-ace/

Note: this link gives a little different crew list (perhaps the original Brink's crew):


https://airforce.togetherweserved.co...rson&ID=140452



2 Lt Carl W, Brink, Jr p
2 Lt Bohn E. Fawkes. Jr c-p
2 Lt Elmer S. Bendiner nav
2 Lt Robert L. Hejuy bomb
TSgt Lawrence H. Redmann eng/tt gun
Sgt Herbert J. ??
Sgt Frederic W. ??
Sgt John A. Leary
SSgt Elvin E. Doll
SSgt Michael L. Arooth tail gun

Brink was flying as co-pilot on 42-5810 on 29 July 43. The plane was shot down and Brink became a POW. Brink notes in the MACR that he was just checking out the pilot's (Richard F Johnson's) formation flying and this was not his regular crew. I think Fawkes then "inherited" the Brink's crew.


This photo of the crew: https://www.fold3.com/image/48252845

Has this crew list:

This is Fawkes' crew : 2Lt Bohn E Fawkes Jr (pilot) 2Lt Charles A Mauldin (co-pilot) born on sept 2nd, 1919 - passed away on feb 17th, 2007 2Lt Elmer S Bendiner (navigator) 2Lt Robert L Hejny (bombardier) born on jan 5th, 1920 - passed away on aug 5th, 1985 T/Sgt Frederick J Reinhard (radio operator) T/Sgt Lawrence H Reedman (engineer) T/Sgt Walter J Gray (ball turret gunner) S/Sgt Harry L Edwards (right waist gunner) S/Sgt John A Leary (left waist gunner) T/Sgt Michael Arooth (tail gunner)