42-51924 Ruth Please!

media-36366.jpeg UPL 36366 Clifford R Thomas of the 98th Bomb Group painting a bomb on the nose of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Ruth Please!"

Image uploaded on behalf of Jim Thomas, son of Clifford R Thomas

Object Number - UPL 36366 - Clifford R Thomas of the 98th Bomb Group painting a bomb on the nose of a B-24 Liberator nicknamed "Ruth Please!"

Ruth Please! was named for Ruth Bowling, wife of its Pilot Jesse C Bowling Sr



The Aircraft was shot down on 19 February 1945 on a mission over Vienna. Bowling managed to land the aircraft in Zadar, at the same time as George McGovern also crash landed there.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15172496 / O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12177677 / O-2001884
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 343rd Bomb Squadron
  • Role/Job: Navigator

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Zadar 19 February 1945

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Information provided by Jim Thomas, son of Clifford Thomas who shared with me his correspondence with Jim and Sherry Bowling, children of Jesse Bowling about their father's aircraft and service.

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