Boomer was a waist gunner on B-17F #41-24503, nicknamed "Pandora's Box", assigned to the 8th Air Force, 91st Bombardment Group, 324th Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a ten plane formation on a mission to bomb the U-boat base at St Nazaire France. They came under attack from sixteen German FW 190 fighters when crossing the coast, and the attacks continued as they neared the target. Because of heavy damage, the pilot turned his plane towards the sea, accompanied by three other B-17s. They had two engines out so his plane couldn't keep up with the others or maintain altitude. He signaled for them to maintain speed as he steadily drifted farther behind, finally making a forced landing in the water approximately thirty miles northwest of St Nazaire. None of the men on board survived.
Boomer is also memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
He has one remaining living sibling, Beatrice June Boomer Hansen, born 10/28/1927.
Boomer is also memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
He has one remaining living sibling, Beatrice June Boomer Hansen, born 10/28/1927.
Boomer was a waist gunner on B-17F #41-24503, nicknamed "Pandora's Box", assigned to the 8th Air Force, 91st Bombardment Group, 324th Bombardment Squadron. They were part of a ten plane formation on a mission to bomb the U-boat base at St Nazaire France. They came under attack from sixteen German FW 190 fighters when crossing the coast, and the attacks continued as they neared the target. Because of heavy damage, the pilot turned his plane towards the sea, accompanied by three other B-17s. They had two engines out so his plane couldn't keep up with the others or maintain altitude. He signaled for them to maintain speed as he steadily drifted farther behind, finally making a forced landing in the water approximately thirty miles northwest of St Nazaire. None of the men on board survived.
Boomer is also memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
He has one remaining living sibling, Beatrice June Boomer Hansen, born 10/28/1927.
Boomer is also memorialized on the Wall of the Missing at the Cambridge American Cemetery in Cambridgeshire, England. He received the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
He has one remaining living sibling, Beatrice June Boomer Hansen, born 10/28/1927.
Gravesite Details
MIA Nov 23, 1942
Family Members
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