Howard Lee Peterson was born in North Carolina, the son of H.L. and Sarah Peterson.
Aircraft B-17G with serial number 43-31383, nickname American Eagle, was on a bombing mission to aircraft factory in Ruhland, Germany. The aircraft and the rest of the Group was attacked by E/A and crashed at Eberswalde, Germany. 1st Lt. Selling was the only survivor.
Statement of 1st Lt. Harry Horatio Selling:
Flying on mission. Everything normal until flak area reached near Berlin. Group Commander took up evasive action and in so doing shuffled deck with another group. As I dropped under one ship enemy fighters attacked shooting tail off my ship. Ship went into climb and then stalled out going into a tight spin. When ship was hit, co-pilot left seat going down through catwalk. Fire broke out in cockpit. Las I saw of co-pilot he was standing in catwalk covering his face. I remember ship tumbling and imagined wings sheared off. I was knocked unconscious. When I regained consciousness everything was quiet. I found myself in the V of the windshield. I made an attempt ot go out the window but realized window was locked and noticed I was floating down in the wreckage of the pilot compartment. Having on a back-pack, I went out at about eight hundred feet. After parachute opened I was aware of pieces of wreckage falling around me. I was picked up about three hours later. I didn’t see any of the crew members of wreckage of the ship.
Crew members
1st Lt. Harry H. Selling
Co-Pilot, 2nd Lt. Lloyd D. French
Navigator, 2nd Lt. Robert F. Marcum
Bombardier, 2nd Lt. Howard L. Peterson
Top Turret Gunner, T/Sgt. James P. Shadman
Radio Operator, S/Sgt. ERwin C. Krueger
Waist gunner, Sgt. Stephen V. Gallucci
Ball Turret Gunner, Sgt. Donald W. Conley
Tail Gunner, Sgt. Leo A. Ryder Sr.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 19 March 1923
- Date of death: 12 September 1944
- County: Washington
- Hometown: Johnson City
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 751st Bomber Squadron, 458th Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIX, Middle Panel
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