41-24232 Calaban

media-14900.jpeg UPL 14900 SSgt. Michael Chayca, standing in front of his airplane, the B-24 Liberator, 41-24232, Calaban, in the 67th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and the 8th Air Force. It flew on the Ploesti oil refinery raid, diverting safely to Malta. Aug 1, 1943.
Calaban was later lost on the bombing raid to the Emden Industrial area, with it's pilot, Lt. Richard F. O’Neill. Lt. ONeill was known for his violent evasive actions on bomb runs. On this bomb run, these maneuvers put him below the B-24, 42-72878, whose bombs struck, Calaban, behind the #4 engine, shearing the right wing off, and, also, the tail. Calaban, went down with all but one of it's crew members, crashing on land near the Emden Estuary. 9 KIA 1 POW. MACR 1653. Crew Chief Mike Chayka features in photo.

Wording changes. - Kickapoo

Object Number - UPL 14900 - SSgt. Michael Chayca, standing in front of his airplane, the B-24 Liberator, 41-24232, Calaban, in the 67th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, and...

The B-24 Liberator, 41-24232, named, Calaban, in the 67th Bomb Squadron, the 44th Bomb Group, of the 8th Air Force, was flown by Pilot 2nd Lt. Edward Dobson on the Ploesti oil refinery raid, diverting safely to Malta. Aug 1,1943.



Later, Calaban was lost on the bombing raid to the Emden Industrial area in Germany. It's Pilot Lt. Richard F. O’Neill was known for his violent evasive actions on bomb runs. These maneuvers put him below the B-24, 42-72878, whose bombs struck Calaban behind the #4 engine shearing the RH wing off, and also the tail. Calaban went down with all but one crew member, crashing on land near the Emden Estuary. 9 KIA - 1 POW. Dec. 11, 1943. MACR 1653.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The 'semiofficial' insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37430255
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33213653
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32028950
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Crew Chief
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-668216
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 67th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Survived Ploesti

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 A/C flew on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid, diverting safely to Malta.

Other

Failed to Return (FTR)

Emden, Germany 11 December 1943 A/C lost on the Dec 11, 1943 raid to Emden Industrial area. Pilot Lt. Richard F. O’Neill was known for his violent evasive actions on bomb runs, this put him below #42-72878 whose bombs struck his A/C at the #4 engine, shearing the wing off and also the tail. 'Calaban' went down with all but one crew member, crashing on land near the Emden estuary. 9 KIA 1 POW. MACR 1653.

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 67th BS, 44th BG, 8th AF. TDY 9th AF.

Revisions

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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorKickapoo
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Spelling. Word and spacing errors. - Kickapoo

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ContributorEmily
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Changed all instances of aircraft name into sentence case to as per best practice for accessibility.

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ContributorKickapoo
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Punctuation changes - Kickapoo

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'CALABAN'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 41-24232 - 'CALABAN'

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ContributorKickapoo
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Best Web - B-24 - 'CALABAN'

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAl_Skiff
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ContributorAAM
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Sources

MACR 1653 / MACR 1961 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

41-24232: Gallery (1 items)