545th Bombardment Squadron “Smilin’ Thru” Nose Art

545th Bombardment Squadron “Smilin’ Thru” Nose Art by – Squadron Posters!

545th Bombardment Squadron “Smilin’ Thru” Nose Art. Aircraft Name: “Smilin’ Thru” (42-29784) B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, was delivered to the Cheyenne, Wyoming Modification center on 18 February 1943. Moved to Salina, Kansas on 2 March 1943. Ferried overseas and assigned to the 366th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code KY-K, 305th Bombardment Group, station 105, Chelveston on 18 May 1943. Transferred to the 534th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code GD-E/F, 381st Bombardment Group, station 167, Ridgewell on 11 September 1943. Transferred to the 545th Bombardment Squadron, squadron code JD-V, 384th Bombardment Group, station 106, Grafton Underwood on 4 October 1943.

On return from the second Schweinfurt mission with battle damage, 14 October 1943, with Pilot-Erwin C. Johnson, Co-pilot-Elliott Leroy Gadd, Navigator-William E. Bailey, Bombardier-George J. Littleton, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner-Leo A. Hunt, Radio Operator-Sam D. Ranallo, Ball Turret Gunner-Clement A. Couture, Tail Gunner Lawrence L. Parsons, Waist Gunner-Earl S. Baker and Waist Gunner-Gustave Fless. The entire crew bailed out and returned to duty. The aircraft crashed near Baydon, Wiltshire, UK. The aircraft was salvaged on 18 October 1943. The 545th Bombardment Squadron flew combat missions over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe until the German capitulation in May 1945.