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.
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.
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.
“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.
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
