The Story of WWII Crewman Who Was Thrown Out of the Burning B-17 and Survived

On December 20, 1943, high above Germany, Technical Sergeant Forrest Lee Vosler manned the radio compartment of his B-17F, Jersey Bounce Jr. The aircraft was part of a formation heading to bomb a strategic target deep in enemy territory. As the plane pushed forward, enemy flak exploded all around, shaking the aircraft violently. Smoke trails from damaged bombers filled the sky, marking those that wouldn’t make it back.

Despite the danger, the mission continued. Once the bombs were released, the formation turned for home, but the relief was short-lived. Enemy fighters had been waiting. The Jersey Bounce Jr. was suddenly rocked by an explosion. A direct hit tore into the aircraft, nearly flipping it over. Pilot John Henderson struggled with the controls as flames engulfed the left engine. The crew braced themselves as the battle was far from over.

The Attack Intensifies

The fire on the left wing was extinguished when the plane went into a dive, but it came at a cost. Engine number three lost all power, and the bomber fell out of formation. It wasn’t alone—other crippled aircraft also struggled to keep up. They had become easy prey for enemy fighters.

Vosler left his radio and grabbed the .50 caliber machine gun above him. Looking through the plexiglass, he saw dozens of enemy planes closing in. The crew watched helplessly as other bombers in their formation were torn apart. Soon, it was their turn.

Fighting to Survive

Two German fighters attacked from behind. Tail gunner George Bus managed to land some hits, but it wasn’t enough. A 20mm shell struck his turret, leaving him silent. Another shell ripped through the fuselage, sending shrapnel through the aircraft. Vosler was hit in the legs, thrown to the floor before he had a chance to fire.

Ignoring the pain, he forced himself back up, gripping his machine gun. Through sheer determination, he fired at an FW-190, driving it away. Other crew members joined the defense, emptying round after round at the attacking fighters. Some enemy planes turned away, damaged or out of ammunition. But the fight wasn’t over yet.

A Desperate Situation

Ralph Burkhart rushed to check on the unconscious tail gunner while Bill Simpkins helped stabilize him. Meanwhile, another German plane lined up for an attack. The crew opened fire, striking its engine. It spiraled down, flames trailing behind. More enemy aircraft attempted to finish the job, but the gunners held their ground. One by one, the attackers fell back, either shot down or forced to retreat.

Just as the crew believed they had a moment to recover, another German fighter came in from above. It fired a 20mm shell directly into Vosler’s gun position. The explosion threw him onto the floor, shrapnel tearing into his body. Blinded in one eye and covered in wounds, he believed he was about to die.

A Daring Decision

Despite his injuries, Vosler refused to give up. He struggled back to his seat and, through sheer willpower, managed to send a distress signal. The aircraft was barely holding together, and the crew debated whether to bail out. Vosler, slipping in and out of consciousness, feared he wouldn’t survive the jump.

As the bomber limped toward friendly territory, the crew did everything possible to keep it in the air. Finally, they reached the English coast. With no other options, Henderson prepared for an emergency landing. The battered aircraft came down hard, skidding to a stop. Rescue teams rushed to pull the crew from the wreckage.

Vosler was barely conscious, but he was alive. His bravery and refusal to give up had helped save the crew. For his actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, becoming a symbol of resilience in one of the war’s most harrowing aerial battles.