• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Co-pilot’s dog tag discovered at WWII B-17 Flying Fortress wreck site

by Dario Radley
August 1, 2024

Archaeologists have recovered a dog tag belonging to USAAF Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter at the crash site of the B-17 ‘Little Boy Blue’ near Thurston, Suffolk. This discovery marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to honor and remember the ten-man crew who perished when their aircraft collided mid-air during a bombing mission on July 19, 1944.

Co-pilot's dog tag discovered at WWII B-17 Flying Fortress wreck site
The co-pilot’s dog tag recovered at the site. Credit: Cotswold Archaeology

During World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress was a symbol of American air power, renowned for its long-range capabilities and formidable firepower. Suffolk’s 32 airfields served as strategic bases for these bombers, with numerous American squadrons operating missions over Europe from this region. One such aircraft was “Little Boy Blue,” which tragically met its fate while en route to Schweinfurt, Germany.

The crash resulted in the deaths of eight crew members, with only two surviving the harrowing incident. Among the deceased were Pilot Walter Malaniak, Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter, and Radio Operator Ronald Grey, whose remains were never recovered, leaving their families without closure for decades.

In an effort to locate and repatriate the remains of these missing airmen, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) commissioned an investigation led by Cotswold Archaeology. The project also involved Operation Nightingale, Cranfield University’s Cranfield Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties (CRICC) team, serving U.S. military personnel, and the Suffolk Archaeology Field Group.

Co-pilot's dog tag discovered at WWII B-17 Flying Fortress wreck site
The crew (left to right); Top: Aaron Brinkoeter, Hal Hagerty, James Bennett, John McCluskey, Leo Ramos, and Walter Malaniak. Bottom: William Klemm, Ronald Grey, Norris Thomas, and Amos Force. Credit: Cotswold Archaeology

The team employed a variety of archaeological techniques, including systematic geophysical surveys, fieldwalking, test-pitting, and metal detecting, meticulously mapping the debris field to locate aircraft wreckage, personal effects, and any potential remains. Their perseverance was rewarded on September 12, 2023—Co-Pilot Aaron Brinkoeter’s birthday—when local metal detectorist Clive Smither discovered Brinkoeter’s dog tag.

RelatedStories

High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

High-tech deep ocean mission unveils never-before-seen images of lost WWI submarine

May 23, 2025
Remains of Cleveland airman identified 80 years after WWII crash, returning home

Remains of Cleveland airman identified 80 years after WWII crash, returning home

March 6, 2025

“This moving discovery provided a tangible connection to the lost airman that will stay with us all for some time to come,” stated Cotswold Archaeology.

Co-pilot's dog tag discovered at WWII B-17 Flying Fortress wreck site
Volunteer Clive Smither, who recovered the co-pilot’s dog tag. Credit: Cotswold Archaeology

The crash site, now a symbol of sacrifice and bravery, became the focal point of a memorial service held on July 19, 2024, the 80th anniversary of the crash. The service, led by the Bishop of Dunwich, Rt. Rev. Dr. Mike Harrison, was attended by 30 family members of the aircrew. The ceremony not only honored the ten crewmen but also unveiled a permanent memorial at the site. Family members were presented with B-17 pins crafted from the aircraft’s wreckage, a touching tribute to their loved ones’ legacy.

“We are indebted to the generous time given by so many people to ensure that, not only does the legacy live on of this tragic incident, but that new evidence has been uncovered that gives some closure for families involved,” said Dr. Mike Harrison.

Local historian Ian McLachlan, who had met Hal Hagerty, one of the two survivors, shared personal letters revealing that Ronald Grey, the Radio Operator, was an Anglican Episcopalian. Grey’s mother and sister had long wished for a service at the crash site, a wish finally fulfilled on this somber anniversary.

More information: Cotswold Archaeology

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections
Archaeology

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

June 17, 2025
Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery
Anthropology

Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery

June 16, 2025
Eldest sons held the power in ancient Egypt, new research reveals
Archaeology

Eldest sons held the power in ancient Egypt, new research reveals

June 16, 2025
DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths
Anthropology

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)
Anthropology

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025
Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld
Anthropology

Roman-era settlement and mysterious burial unearthed in Delbrück-Bentfeld

June 14, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
108K

Threads
42K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

Viking-era boat burial unearthed in Norway reveals 1,100-year-old remains of woman and her dog

June 9, 2025
Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

Ancient Chinese star chart dated to 2,300 years ago may be the oldest ever, challenging astronomy history

May 17, 2025
6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

6,200-year-old ‘cone-headed’ skull found in Iran reveals cranial modification and death by blunt force

June 13, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

Rare sperm whale tooth unearthed at Valencina Copper Age megasite reveals ancient Iberian coastal connections

June 17, 2025
Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery

Medieval bed burials across Europe reveal cultural diversity, symbolism, and mystery

June 16, 2025
Eldest sons held the power in ancient Egypt, new research reveals

Eldest sons held the power in ancient Egypt, new research reveals

June 16, 2025
DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

DNA reveals Poland’s first kings may have Scottish origins, challenging founding myths

June 15, 2025
Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds. (Illustration by Anja Schorneck). Credit: Caspari, G., Asian Archaeology (2025)

Ancient Xiaohe boat burials reveal symbolic water journey into the afterlife, new study finds

June 14, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.