The B-24D Liberator, 42-40751, named, Touch of Texas, was in the 567th Bomb Squadron, the 389th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. It was flown on the Ploesti oil refinery bombing mission, piloted by Lt. William J. Denton, returning safely to Libya. RTB. 1 Aug 1943.



1st Lt. Eldon Neil Colby flew, Touch of Texas, on his first mission as a command pilot, after serving as the copilot on his original aircraft, The Oklahoman, 42-40738. Lt. Colby  was flying the B-23D, Touch of Texas, alongside, The Oklahoman, with it's Pilot, Lt. Harley Mason, Mason's Copilot, Thomas Baum, and their crew, when, The Oklahoman, was hit by a direct burst of flak and exploded killing Lt. Mason's entire crew (9 KIA), who normally flew in the B-24D, Fightin' Sam, 42-40506. The flak explosion blew,The Oklahoman, completely apart. Yet, somehow, Lt. Mason survived the explosion and was thrown clear of the wrecked aircraft. He deployed his parachute, and was the sole survivor of the lost aircraft. 9-KIA.  1-POW.



Lt. Samual Blessing crashed, Touch of Texas, in a landing accident at Hethel / Sta 114,  on the return from a mission to bomb a V1 site at Siracourt, France. The airplane sustained Cat 5 damage, damaged beyond repair. Pilot Samuel E Blessing. There were no injuries to the crew.  A/C written off.