385th Bombardment Group of the 8th Air Force as part of the crew of the B-17 "Curleys Kids". Waist Gunner and his primary duty was to defend the aircraft against the enemy. On a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress , there were two waist gunners located directly opposite one another. This made maneuvering sometimes difficult, and until later models of the B17, frostbite was also an issue, as the waist gunners stood near open window areas. Because of this, waist gunners frequently wore heavy layers of shearling and leather protective clothing, as well as electrically heated suits. Waist gunners were also frequently responsible for checking the aircraft for damage and assisting the flight engineer with repairs if necessary.385th Bomb Group Memorial Museum . At the time of the crash, Luxembourg still endured Axis occupation. Staff Sgt. Peter J. Heffernan Sgt. Heffernan, Former Resident Killed in Action Over Germany Staff Sgt. Peter J. Heffernan, son of Mrs. Mary A. Heffernan of New York City and the late Thomas Heffernan, formerly of Bulkley Manor, Rye, was killed while serving as Right Waist Gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress over Germany. He was reported missing in action on July 12, and was the recipient of the Air Medal, two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Presidential Citation for valorous conduct. One member of the crew was reported a prisoner of the Germans, one remains officially missing and all the other members of the crew were killed. The sergeant had four brothers, two of whom, Patrick and Thaddeus, are in the armed forces, and Charles and Thomas, with two sisters, Mary and Ann are at home. PAGE FOUR THE RYE CHRONICLE Friday, March 16, 1945 VIDEO
Curleys Kids 
