Luther Joe Abel

Military ROLL OF HONOUR
media-22308.jpeg UPL 22308 Lt. Luther J Abel, [Gladwater, TX]. 84th Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-75684 WZ-H "Mickey II".

Object Number - UPL 22308 - Lt. Luther J Abel, [Gladwater, TX]. 84th Fighter Squadron. P-47D 42-75684 WZ-H "Mickey II".

Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF. Transferred to 552FTS, 495FTG 8AF USAAF as instructor. P-47C 41-6234 lost engine on local training flight on 9 Jan 1944. A/C broke out of undercast too low and crashed into a plowed field near Loughborough, Leicestershire. Returned to Duty [RTD]. He was badly injured in P-38J 42-67490W "Lightning" in a belly landing accident at Atcham, Shropshire 18-Aug-44 and died from his injuries/complications Died Non Battle DNB 22-Sep-44.



Awards: DFC (2 OLC), AM (2 OLC), PH.

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Thumbs Up Doc Sugar Baby
  • Unit: 495th Fighter Training Group 56th Fighter Group 552nd Fighter Training Squadron 62nd Fighter Squadron
The burning wreck of a P-38 Lightning (serial number 42-67490) of the 496th Fighter Training Group.
  • Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 495th Fighter Training Group 496th Fighter Training Group 552nd Fighter Squadron 554th Fighter Training Squadron 79th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Nicknames: Mickey II
  • Unit: 366th Fighter Group 78th Fighter Group 391st Fighter Squadron 84th Fighter Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Unit: 78th Fighter Group 84th Fighter Squadron

Missions

Places

Line up of P-47 Thunderbolts of the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, at Duxford air base. September 1944. Printed caption on reverse of print: '55432 AC - War Birds Home To Rest - Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up on an 8th Air Force field in England after a daylight sweep over Germany. Crews have finished inspections and refueling.'
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: "Duckpond"

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Gregg County, TX, USA 7 December 1921 Son of Luther and Joe Ann [Wood] Abel.

Enlisted

Houston, TX, USA 5 May 1942 Houston, Texas

Other

Crashed

Loughborough, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK 9 January 1944 P-47C 41-6234 lost engine on local training flight on 9-Jan-44. A/C broke out of undercast too low and crashed into a plowed field near Loughborough, Leicestershire. RTD.

Other

Promoted

Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK 20 January 1944 Promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

Other

Transferred

Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK 7 August 1944 Transferred to 552FTS, 495FTG 8AF USAAF as instructor.

Other

Crashed

Wroxeter, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5, UK 18 August 1944 Crashed Belly Landing due to Engine Failure Wroxeter Cat 5 damage, pilot Lt Luther J Abel, 18-Aug-44. P-38J 42-67490W - 552FTS 495FTG 8AF.

Died

Transferred

Atcham, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK 22 September 1944 Badly injured in P-38J 42-67490W "Lightning" in a belly landing accident at Atcham, Shropshire 18-Aug-44 and died from his injuries/complications Died Non Battle DNB 22-Sep-44.

Buried

23 September 1944 Cambridge American Cemetery Coton, Cambs, UK Plot F, Row 6, Grave 22
Gladewater, TX 75647, USA

Other

Assigned

Duxford, UK 7 August 1944 Assigned to 84FS, 78FG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorJoe Jones
Changes
Sources

American Battle Monuments Commission

Date
Changes
Sources

Peter Randall - 78th FG D-Day List;

Date
Changes
Sources

Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- 8th AF Losses
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Ted Damick, VIII Fighter Command pilots list

Luther Joe Abel: Gallery (1 items)