2nd Lieutenant Gene Francis O’Connell (O-717487) was born 4 January 1924 to Patrick P and Jeanette S (nee Petersen) in St James, Minnesota. He is one of 6 children.

He eventually ended up as part of 350th Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy. The crew joined the 100th Bomber Group at Thorpe Abbotts Field, England 18 June 1944. Nine days later, on 27 June 1944, they were on a practice mission flying on B-17G #42-102611, nicknamed “Boss Lady”. None of the circumstances leading up to its loss are known. It is assumed that the aircraft was lost in the English Channel.

Those lost that day are commemorated on the “Wall of the Missing” at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Coton, South Cambridgeshire District, Cambridgeshire, England.

The crew:

Donaldson, John Lewis, 2nd Lieutenant, Pilot, CA

Campbell, Gail Clyde, 2nd Lieutenant, Copilot, IN

O’Connell, Gene F, 2nd Lieutenant, Navigator, MN

McKeniff, High Michael, 2nd Lieutenant, Bombardier, MI

Siders, Stanley Pershing, Sergeant, Radio Operator/Gunner, OH

Cain, Warren Maurice, Sergeant, Top Turret Gunner & Eng, CA

Trujillo, Jose A, Sergeant, Ball Turret Gunner, CA

Couch, Billy Lafayette, Sergeant, Right Waist Gunner, TX

Gustafson, Dale Eldon, Sergeant, Left Waist Gunner, CA

Myers, Arthur, Sergeant, Tail Gunner, NY

Gene F O'Connell