William Thomas Palmer Jr

Military

Completed 35 missions from 3 November 1943- 11 July 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.

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

Donald Alvin Gaylord

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-?
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Wallace J Rufeisen

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-747960
  • Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Paul B Smith

  • 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

Conrad James Womble

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-679271 (14106946 on enlistment)
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

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

42-3532

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Lucille Ball
  • Unit: 351st Bomb Group 511th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Kibbee, Georgia 18 June 1920

Enlisted

Duval, Florida 19 October 1942

Died

17 December 2000

Buried

Evergreen Cemetery, Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Listed as crew of Lucille Ball on 5 November 1943 by The Bee and on 351st.org, Further information from Enlistment Record and Find a Grave

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/