WW2 Kelly Helmet

[The Rooster]

The black and white photo showing the cammo paint on the B17's was taken by Edwin Stevens.. "Lucky Stevens"

And a painting showing what they looked like in color.

[ArchangelDM]

Wow Dave 

 

great thread and amazing helmet, fantastic work as always by the members of this forum 

[The Rooster]

Bumping this up for new members who collect Kelly Helmets who may not have seen this one.

This is my best helmet. Historically significant. Beautifully researched by AZNATION. And the rest of you great folks who added to this post.

And to "Lucky Stevens" "Mr Lucky" Survived 156 missions.

God bless you and your family. God Bless America.

 

Thanks again to Matt and all.

 

 

[The Rooster]

I was able to correspond with one of Mr Stevens Daughters.

She told me that her Dad did indeed have a ball turret in his garage. She donated it to a museum in

Oshkosh.

I offered to give and send her Fathers helmet. No charge. She said to just keep it.

That no one in the family coming up had any interest and that I should display and enjoy it because

one day, no one will care about it.

Apparently some things were sold off that she herself had interest in., including this helmet.

 

[The Rooster]

 B-17F-1-BO "Dinah Might ?" Serial Number 41-24355  

 

"On February 1, 1943 took off from 7 Mile Drome piloted by 2nd Lt. Robert L. Schultz on a night bombing mission armed with 300 pound and 100 pound wire wrapped bombs as one of five B-17s on a night harassment mission over Rabaul. Earlier in the night, seven B-17s from the 64th BS led by Captain Kenneth D. McCullar harassed the area until departing as this formation arrived. Over the target, the formation bombed Lakunai Airfield causing fires and secondary explosions. At roughly 3:30am, hit by anti-aircraft fire that killed tail gunner Pfc Agnew White who was flying his 13th mission and was hit in the chest and killed by by shrapnel at his station and was not discovered dead until he failed to check in and ball turret gunner SSgt Edwin "Lucky" Stevens went to check on him and found him dead. The shrapnel caused roughly 50 holes in the bomber. Despite the damage, returned to land safely at 7 Mile Drome."

On February 20, 1943 assigned to the 64th Bombardment Squadron (64th BS).

 

From Pacific Wrecks website.

 

 

 

Agnew White.

Find a grave.....

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49599184/agnew-white

 

 

[The Rooster]

PFC White.

Obituary.