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S/Sgt Jack D. Keller- 8th Air Force, 3rd Bomb Division, 4th Bomb Wing, 447th Bomb Group (H), 711th Bomb Squadron
Tail Gunner of B-17 "Ol'Scrapiron" A/C #231582


Jack Keller

Ann Keller - Loving wife for 50+ years

Jack Keller - Tail Gunner

A. W. Dahlgran - Pilot & Co-pilot

Curtiss F. Brown - Co-pilot

Gordon Todd - Bombardier

Irwin Smith - Navigator

Lorn B. Heeb - Engineer

Russel T Hatchett - Ball Turret Gunner

Kenneth Ramey - Radio Operator

Lt. Stevenson - Ol' Scrapion's namesake

Kneeling (L-R): Lt. Abel W. Dahlgrahn, Co-Pilot; Lt. Robert C. Stevenson, Pilot, (KIA); Lt. Erwin A. Smith Navigator; Lt. Gordon T. Todd, Bombardier, (wounded);

Standing (L to R): T/Sgt. Kenneth L. Ramey, Gunner Radio Operator; S/Sgt. Albert A. Acuna, Gunner Waist, (wounded); T/Sgt. Lorn B. Heeb, Gunner, Engineer, Top Turret; S/Sgt. Russell T. Hatchett, Gunner, Armor, Ball Turret; S/Sgt. Jack D. Keller Gunner, A/C Mechanic, Tail & Toggleir (wounded); S/Sgt. William Levitisky, Gunner Armor, Waste.




Listing of Jack's 26 missions

Date-Place-Altitude-Weather-Combat Time-Position-Target-Crew-A/C Number-Bomb Type & Weight --Wing Fuel Tanks held 2780 Gallon of 100 Octane Fuel known as 2780 Blues--Cruising Speed 170 miles per hour--Temperature Approx. 30 to50 degrees below Zero depending on Bombing Altitude--Tail Gun position was coldest, two waste gunner windows were open, wind would rush into the tail causing ice to form on oxygen mask, had bicycle seat and was kneeling for entire mission, very crowded, hard on legs & knee.

#1 April. 27-1944
Weather- Fair
Air Field

Le Culot, Belgium
4:45 Combat
Lt. R.H.Leigh- A/C #297501
18000 Feet
Togglier
500# GP Bomb
#2 May 1-1944
Weather- Bad
Rocket Site

Marquenville, France
6:30 Combat
Lt. R.H.Pettus- A/C #237871
Recall
Tail Gunner
1000# GP Bomb
#3 May 7-1944
Weather- PFF
City

Berlin, Germany
9:00 Combat
Lt.R..H.Pettus- A/C #297392
23750 Feet
Tail Gunner
Incendiary Bomb
#4 May 8-1944
Weather- PFF
Air Field

Berlin, Germany
8:30 Combat
Lt. R.H.Pettus-A/C #297179
26000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#5 May 9-1944
Weather- Good
Air Field

Leon/Athies, France
5:00 Combat
Lt. R.H.Pettus- A/C #297179
22000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#6 May 30-1944
Weather- Fair
V-1 Launch Site

St.Pol/ Siracourt, France
5:00 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
25000 Feet
Tail Gunner
1000# AP Bomb
#7 May 31-1944
Weather- Excellent
Marshaling Yard

Hamm, Germany
6:30 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
25000 Feet
Tail Gunner
1000# GP Bomb
#8 June 2-1944
Weather- Good
Air Field

Wimerex, France
5:00 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
21000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#9 June 5- 1944
Weather- Good
Beach Defense

LeTourquet, France
5:10 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
23000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#10 June 6- 1944- D Day #1
Weather- Fair
City
Juno & Sword Beaches - Sure glad to be in the air, not on beach, GOD BLESS all those young men on landing! Cane, France
6:20 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
16800 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#11 June 6- 1944- D Day #2
Weather- Good
City
Juno & Sword Beaches - Lord what a sight, unbelievable. Support Gen. Dempsy 2nd Army, Canadians & English. Lisieux, France
6:00 Combat
Lt. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
16000 Feet
Tail Gunner
100# GP Bomb
#12 June 7- 1944
Weather- Fair
Rail Bridge

Nantes, France
8:00 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars- A/C #297296
22000 Feet
Tail Gunner
100# GP Bomb
#13 June 11- 1944
Weather- Poor
Marshaling Yard

Le Touquet ,France
4:30 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
23000 Feet
Tail Gunner
250# GP Bomb
#14 June 14- 1944
Weather-Excellent
Air Field

Florennes/Juzain, Belgium
4:30 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
18000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#15 June 15- 1944
Weather-PFF
Oil

Misburgh, Germany
8:00 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars-A/C #238052
25000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#16 June18-1944
Weather-PFF
Oil

Misburgh, Germany
7:30 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars- A/C #210706
19000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#17 June 19-1944
Weather-PFF
Marshaling Yard

St.Jean D'Angely, France
8:30 Combat
Cap. J.A.Sollars- A/C #238052
20000 Feet
Tail Gunner
1000# GP Bomb
#18 July 18-1944
Weather-PFF
Air Field
My Original Crew - We named "Ol'Scrapiron" Cuxhaven, Germany
7:00 Combat
Lt. A.W.Dahlgran----- A/C #231582
1800 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#19 July 20-1944
Weather-Fair
Oil

Merseburgh, Germany
8:20 Combat
Lt. A.W.Dahlgran-A/C #231582
25000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#20 July 24-1944
Weather-Poor
German Lines

St. Lo, Aera, France
6:20 Combat
Lt. A.W.Dahlgran- A/C #231582
19000 Feet
Tail Gunner
100# GP Bomb
#21 Aug. 4-1944
Weather-Good
Air Craft Factory

Ostend, Belgium
3:15 Combat
Lt.R.M. Kenny- A/C #239882
24000 Feet
Togglier
1000#GP Bomb
#22 Aug. 11-1944
Weather-Excellent
Marshaling Yard
Pilot Cap. Barret Belfort, France
8:40 Combat
Lt.A.W.Dahlgran-A/C #231582
15000 Feet
Formation Control Lead Tail Gunner
100# GP Bomb
#23 Aug. 13-1944
Weather-Good
Marshaling Yard
Pilot Cap. Duke Seine River Area
5:45 Combat
Lt.A.W.Dahlgran-A/C #231582
18000 Feet
Formation Control Lead Tail Gunner
100# GP Bomb
#24 Aug. 15-1944
Weather-Good
Air Field
Pilot Cap. Brown Handorf, Germany
5:00 Combat
Lt.A.W.Dahlgran-A/C #297083
25000 Feet
Formation Control Lead Tail Gunner
500# GP Bomb
#25 Oct. 26-1944
Weather-PFF
Oil
Hit in head with plexi-glass Hannover, Germany
6:10 Combat
Lt.A.W.Dahlgran- A/C #231582
26000 Feet
Tail Gunner
500#GP Bomb
#26 Nov.6-1944
Weather-PFF
Air Field
Hit in head with plexi-glass Neumunster, Germany
7:10 Combat
Lt.A.W.Dahlgran- A/C #297572
23000 Feet
Tail Gunner
250#GP Bomb
This was the end of the most terrifying experience in my life, the only reason I completed 26 mission, because of the "GOOD LORD and my PRIDE". LOVE YOU, GOD BLESS!
Jack D Keller Tail Gunner Toggleir-A/C #231582 "Ol'Scrapiron"- Combat Hours 178:35