Conrad James Womble

Military

Completed 34 missions from 3 November 1943- 3 August 1944. Safely bailed out of B-17 Flying Fortress 42-3532 'Lucille Ball' on his second mission on 5 November 1943 on return from Gelsenkirchen.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 351st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Second Lieutenant Donald A. Gaylord, a pilot of the 351st Bomb Group with the damaged fueselage of his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3532) nicknamed "Lucille Ball". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication'16 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '293129.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'PILOT RISKS LIFE TO KEEP FLYING FORTRESS FROM CRASHING ON ENGLISH TOWN. It has just been disclosed that a 23-year-old American pilot 2nd Lt. Donald A Gaylord of Waterloo, IA, ris
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18137087
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Engineer, Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

Second Lieutenant Donald A. Gaylord, a pilot of the 351st Bomb Group with the damaged fueselage of his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-3532) nicknamed "Lucille Ball". Image stamped on reverse: 'Associated Press.' [stamp], 'Passed for Publication'16 Nov 1943.' [stamp] and '293129.' [Censor no.]. Printed caption on reverse: 'PILOT RISKS LIFE TO KEEP FLYING FORTRESS FROM CRASHING ON ENGLISH TOWN. It has just been disclosed that a 23-year-old American pilot 2nd Lt. Donald A Gaylord of Waterloo, IA, ris
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucille Ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Baton Rouge, Louisiana 3 November 1920

Enlisted

Morrison Field West, Palm Beach, Florida 3 April 1942

Died

22 July 1974

Buried

Pittsboro Cemetary, Pittsboro, Calhoun, Mississippi
Miami, Florida

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Listed as crew of Lucille Ball on 5 November 1943 by The Bee and on351st.org, Further information from Enlistment Record and Ancestry life story

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / www.351st.org/ken.harbour/