42-7884 Reggie's Reply / Lucky, Donnie Boy

media-13754.jpeg UPL 13754 (at the time) 2nd Lt. John Godfrey's first ''REGGIE'S REPLY' was this P-47D Thunderbolt, Serial No. 42-7884, which he inherited from his future flight leader, 1st Lt. Don Gentile.
Named after Godfrey's brother, who had perished during the Battle of the Atlantic, this aircraft alson bore the name LUCKY and an artwork of a dog on the port side of its engine cowling. 'Lucky' was the name of Godfrey's dog.

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

Object Number - UPL 13754 - (at the time) 2nd Lt. John Godfrey's first ''REGGIE'S REPLY' was this P-47D Thunderbolt, Serial No. 42-7884, which he inherited from his future...

P-47D Thunderbolt 42-7884, was 2nd Lt John Godfrey's first 'REGGIE'S REPLY', which he inherited from his future flight leader 1st Lt. Don Gentile who reportedly took the "Donnie Boy" artwork cowling with him to 42-8659. 
Named after Godfrey's brother, who had perished in the Battle of the Atlantic, it also bore the name 'LUCKY' and an artwork of a dog on the port side of its engine cowling. 'Lucky' was the name of Godfrey's dog. Godfrey first flew it in combat on 27 Sep 1943 and last flew it prior to Mar 1944 when the 4th FG converted to Mustangs.
Failed to Return (FTR) from providing air cover for an armoured column. Hit by return fire strafing a tank and armoured car, A/C exploded and crashed, 31-Jul-44. 1st Lt Robert W Huse KIA. 
MACR 7933. 
Godfrey would claim 1.5 kills and one probable (all Bf 109s) in this aircraft in late 1943. 

 

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

People

A pilot, Domenic "Don" Gentile, of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group - Debden with his P-51 Mustang, nicknamed "Shangri-La"
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron No 133 'Eagle' Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885109
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-885950
  • Highest Rank: Major
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: Austrian
  • Unit: 404th Fighter Group 506th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-796149
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 336th Fighter Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief

Places

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Donnie Boy
  • Unit: 358th Fighter Group 4th Fighter Group 336th Fighter Squadron 367th Fighter Squadron

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Between Avranches and Mortain, France 31 July 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) from providing air cover for an armoured column. Hit by return fire strafing a tank and armoured car, A/C exploded and crashed, 31-Jul-44. 1st Lt Robert W Huse KIA. Macr 7933.

Revisions

Date
Contributorjfbecker
Changes
Sources

Godfrey's 1st combat: “Two-Man Air Force: Don Gentile and John Godfrey, World War II Flying Aces”, Philip Kaplan (2006)

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- Associated person from MACR 7933 http://www.fold3.com/image/28664804/;
Added new aircraft and connections from :
- Little Friends at http://www.littlefriends.co.uk
- MACR 7933 at http://www.fold3.com/image/28664804/;
- Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Date
Contributorapollo11
Changes
Sources

Personal research & 4th Fighter Group 'Debden Eagles' by Chris Bucholz.

Date
ContributorPyker
Changes
Sources

Added 42-7884 in order to correct photo caption claiming it to be a P-51.

42-7884: Gallery (6 items)