The aircraft made three spirals out of control after being hit by flak at 11,000 ft. The left wing came off and the aircraft exploded in mid-air and crashed at 14.39 hrs between Le Translay & Wiammeville, 8 miles SW of Abbeville, France.

B-17 #42-5306 303rd BG 360th BS February 28, 1944:

KIA

Pilot: 1st Lt. Noel E. Shoup, TX O-672887

Co-pilot: 2nd Lt. James Litherland, PA O-741917

FE/Top T Gunner: T/Sgt. Benjamin W. Bragg, TX 6288092

Radio Operator: T/Sgt. Donald Harrison, OH 15324895

Ball T Gunner: S/Sgt. William L. Hostetter, AK 17031940

Waist gunner: S/Sgt. Robert T. Gribble, PA 33354347

Tail gunner: S/Sgt. Harry C. Ross, OH 35681877

Evaded Capture:

Bombardier: Lt. Col. Charles J. McClain, FL 1919-2003

Waist gunner: S/Sgt. Nick Asvestos, WV 1923-2007

POW:

Navigator: 2nd Lt. Byron F. Clark, TN 1921-1994

William L Hostetter