The B-24D, 42-40246, named, Thunder Mug, was flown by pilots, Lt. Russell Longnecker and Lt. Donald K. "Deacon" Jones, on the Ploesti oil refinery mission. Returned safely to Benghazi, Libya. 1 Aug 43.





Thunder Mug - Operation Tidal Wave Crew :

Pilot : Russell Longnecker Copilot : Donald K. "Deacon" Jones

Navigator : Stanley Valcik

Bombardier : William M. Schrampf

Observer : Odin C. Olsen

Top Turret Gunner : J.C. Pinson

Rear Gunner Bernard : C. Strand

Waist Gunner : Aloisius G. Cunningham

Waist Gunner : Howard I. Teague

Gunner : Edward A. Sand Jr.





The B-24D, Thunder Mug, had a landing accident at Bedford, U.K., due to a mechanical failure. Pilot Lt. Frank Kilcheski, RO SSgt. Gerald Weinberg, and another crewman were killed in action. 3 KIA. 30 Oct 43.



Aircraft salvaged. 10 Oct, 1943.





Formation Photograph : Consolidated B-24D Liberator bombers

93rd Bomb Group formation flight. Nearest aircraft is the Consolidated B-24D-25-CO , 41-24226, Joisey Bounce. Second aircraft is, 41-24147, The Duchess, also in the 330th Bomb Squadron. Next higher is, 41-23722, Bomerang, from the 328th Bomb Squadron. Last of all, at the very top is, 42-40246, Thunder Mug, RCL F, also part of the 328th Bomb Squadron. - U.S. Air Force photo.



The B-24D, Joisey Bounce, was lost on a mission to Bremen, Germany when it was involved in a mid air collision with the B-24D, 42-40765, Valient Virgin. First named, Joisey Bounce, then, formerly named, Utah Man, and flown by Capt. Walter Stewart, for the Ploesti mission, but was again renamed, Joisey Bounce, back in the U.K. at the time of it's loss, over Husum, Germany. 13 Nov 1943. MACR 2176



Joisey Bounce's Crew When Lost :

2nd Lt. Loren J. Koon - Pilot - O-2044710 - South Carolina - KIA

2nd Lt. Robert Timmer - Co-Pilot - O-2044427 - Michigan- KIA

Sgt. Benjamin Caplan - Navigator - 10600460 - California - KIA

1st Lt. Ralph W. Cummings - Bombardier - O-733155 - Montana - KIA

Sgt. Robert L. Cox - Engineer/Top Turret Gunner - 18064516 - POW - Stalag17B, 

Breunau, Germany

TSgt. Paul E. Johnston - Radio Operator - 35258734 - Kentucky - POW - Stalag Luft 3,

Sagan

SSgt. William E. Major - Right Waist Gunner - 15104438 - Indiana - KIA - buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri

SSgt. John E. Connolly - Left Waist Gunner - 16042975 - Michigan - KIA - buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri

SSgt. Joseph R. Doyle - Tail Gunner - 13039348 - Pennsylvania - KIA - buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri

SSgt. Richard E. Bartlett - Tunnel Gunner - 19056154 - Montana - KIA - All KIA Crewmen were buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri