Wood's Crew


 

The Blue Fairy, piloted by Billy Wood, was hit in the left wing on the mission to Hof, GR, and left formation. #3 caught fire which quickly spread to the rest of the aircraft. Two crewman were KIA in the initial attack. The copilot, LT Doerschlag, kept the aircraft under control long enough to allow the rest of the crew to escape. The aircraft then entered a violent spin, lost a wing and exploded. LT Doerschlag was ejected from the aircraft with head injuries and a shattered foot. He landed safely and was made POW with the rest of his crew. For his actions that day, LT Doerschlag would win the DFC 40 years after the fact. (MACR 13739)


CREW INFO
Name Rank Position First Mission Last Mission Status
Billy J. Wood Pilot 1st LT / /44 04/08/45 KIA
Walter Doerschlag Flight Off. Co-pilot / /44 04/08/45 POW
Richard Witt 2nd LT Navigator / /44 04/08/45 POW
William Roscoe SSGT Radioman / /44 04/08/45 POW
William W. Martin TSGT Engineer/Top / /44 04/08/45 POW
Harry T Parmley SGT Ball Gunner / /44 04/08/45 POW
Jack W. Marlar SGT Tail Gunner / /44 04/08/45 POW
Charles J. Strong SGT Nose Gunner / /44 04/08/45 POW
Horace W. Houd SGT Waist Gunner / /44 04/08/45 POW
 
MISSION INFO
MISSION DATE NAME ID S/N TYPE
147 02/19/45   TT 43-37820 B17G
148 02/21/45 The Blue Fairy TJ 43-37942 B17G
149 02/22/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
150 02/23/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
153 02/26/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
155 02/28/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
156 03/02/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
157 03/03/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
159 03/07/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
162 03/10/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
163 03/11/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
165 03/14/45 The Prowler TK 43-37937 B17G
166 03/16/45 Vermond Maid (Cupcake) ND 43-38246 B17G
167 03/17/45 The Pursuit of Happiness TH 43-37931 B17G
168 03/18/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39903 B17G
171 03/22/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
174 03/28/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
175 03/30/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
176 03/31/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
178 04/04/45   TS 43-37928 B17G
179 04/05/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
180 04/07/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
181 04/08/45 The Blue Fairy TJ 43-37942 B17G

Completed 23 Missions


 
Created 06/01/99 Modified 12/23/16

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