Lawrence A Vecchi

Military
media-18540.jpeg UPL 18540 After the crew that my Dad , Eddie Joe Choate, was assigned to, and trained with, reached Tibenham, Norfolk, and before they ever flew their first mission together, their pilot, Richard P Klopfenstein, was sent on an actual mission as a co-pilot with another B-24 crew to give him some experience on a real mission. Unfortunately, on their way back to England, their B-24 collided mid-air with another 701 BS B-24 and crashed in France, 12/11/44, killing Klopfenstein and all on board. Dad's crew was then assigned another pilot, William D Lucas, who is shown in this photo with crew prior to leaving on a mission. Eddie Joe Choate Family Collection

Eddie Joe Choate's oldest son. Source: Family Records

Object Number - UPL 18540 - After the crew that my Dad , Eddie Joe Choate, was assigned to, and trained with, reached Tibenham, Norfolk, and before they ever flew their first...

Lawrence Vecchi graduated from the Army Air Corps Bombardiering school at Big Springs Air Field, Texas on 1-15-1944 and was with the 445th in WW2 stationed in Tibenham England and flew 28 missions as Bombardier/Navigator and resigned his reserve commision as captain in 1951. He went on to get his personal pilots license and flew a Mooney Plane for many years. He lived in Edina, MN with his wife Ruth and his 3 children Karen, Renee and Larry Jr. where he worked as a regional salesman for Munsingwear Apparel Co. He retired in Harlingen, Texas and passed away on 2-16-1998.

Connections

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Units served with

A pathfinder B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-51681) of the 453rd Bomb Group flies in formation with a fellow Liberator of the 453rd and and a pathfinder Liberator of the 445th Bomb Group. Image via Alan Rowsell.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 445th Bomb Group 700th Bomb Squadron 701st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38529013
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner; Ball Turret Gunner

Revisions

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ContributorRENEESTARK
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Renee Stark

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Renee Stark

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Renee Stark

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His daughter Renee Stark

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Contributorkramcho
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My Dad, Eddie Joe Choate, flew some missions with Lawrence A Vecchi, navigator (pilot was W D Lucas) as a part of the 445th Bomb Group. (Source: Family Records)

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ContributorAAM
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Birsic / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Lawrence A Vecchi: Gallery (1 items)