Dibble's Crew


LT Dibble's crew and MAJ Cormier. LT Rex Tolliver stands at the center.

The Dibble crew was returning from an operational mission on 3 Jan 45, and was unable to lower the left landing gear due to a sheared key on the shaft to the landing gear motor. It was impossible to lower the gear by emergency means and the pilot was instructed to proceed to Woodbridge and make an emergency one wheel landing as per 3 DB Inst. 55-11. The pilot followed correct procedure and accomplished a satisfactory, one wheel landing, damaging number 1 and 2 properllers, and engines, the left wing panel, and left flap. All of which were replaced. (Crash report from NARA via Roland Andrews)


CREW INFO
Name Rank Position First Mission Last Mission Status
Merle G. Dibble 2nd LT Pilot      
Joseph J. Matiasch F/O Copilot      
Jerome Brickman F/O Navigator      
James R. Fennessey 2nd LT Bombardier      
Rex Tolliver LT Mickey Operator      
Lee F. Hansman, Jr. CPL FE/Top      
John W. River,  Jr. CPL Ball      
Robert J. McIntosh CPL Radio Oper      
Nick J. Fusco SGT Waist      
Floyd E. Sorrels, Jr. CPL Tail      
    Gunner      
 
MISSION INFO
Mission Date Name ID S/N Type
111 12/04/44   TN 43-38194 B17G
116 12/16/44 The Prowler TK 43-37973 B17G
117 12/23/44   TC 43-37910 B17G
118 12/24/44   NS 43-37800 B17G
120 12/28/44   TT 43-37820 B17G
121 12/29/44 Umbriago NM 43-37983 B17G
123 12/31/44 Pursuit of Happiness TH 43-37931 B17G
124 01/01/45   TS 43-37928 B17G
125 01/02/45   TB 43-37835 B17G
126 01/03/45 The Blue Flippy TJ 43-37942 B17G
127 (abort) 01/05/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
129 01/08/45   PH 43-38163 B17G
130 01/10/45 Mr. Completely TA 43-39902 B17G
137 01/28/45   TG 4x-xx059 B17G
147 02/19/45 The Fertile Turtle PG 43-37943 B17G
151 02/24/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
155 02/28/45   PS 4x-xx712 B17G
159 03/07/45   PJ 4x-xx074 B17G
160 03/08/45   PS 4x-xx712 B17G
161 03/09/45   PN 44-8132 B17G
162 03/10/45   PS 4x-xx712 B17G
164 03/12/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
168 03/18/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
170 03/21/45   PE 44-8453 B17G
171 03/22/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
173 03/24/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
178 04/04/45   PE 44-8453 B17G
180 04/07/45   PF 4x-xx073 B17G
185 04/14/45   PJ 4x-xx074 B17G
186 04/16/45 ------- NB 44-8025 B17G
187 04/16/45   PB 44-8025 B17G

Completed 31 Missions


 
Created: 09/16/99 Modified: 12/23/16

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