US Army Air Force

Hit over Nis,Yugoslavia

B-17 named "Whizzer II" Lockheed/Vega B-17F-20-VE Flying Fortress s/n 42-5786 from the 840th BS, 483rd BG, 15th AF, after being hit by anti-aircraft fire over the rail yards of Nis,Yugoslavia in April 1944. This was the first plane and crew from the 483rd to be lost in combat.Her crew that day, all KIA: James O. Preston - pilot Harry L. Johnson - copilot Gordon G. Lindholm - navigator Jesse D. Gresham - bombardier S/Sgt. John C. Toutant - engineer/top turret S/Sgt. John T. Cieslak - radio operator Sgt. Harold J. Pierce - gunner Sgt. Albert H. Cline - gunner Sgt. Jack Brown,Jr. - gunner Sgt. James E. Cooper - tail gunner (rudeerude)