Bernie L Lathrop

Military
media-18012.jpeg UPL 18012 Crew #792
Richard D. Koch Crew
466th BG - 787th BS
B-24H-30-CF #42-50448 "Earthquake McGoon" Code: 6L-H

Standing Left to Right: Bernie L. Lathrop (N), Ray Pointbriand (R/O), Jack Cahill (WG), Richard D. Koch (P)

Kneeling Left to Right: Eugene D. Person (FE), Victor D. Peternel (CP), Thomas Nolan (BTG/WG), Herbert Litchfield (TG), Perry Kerr (NG)

This crew completed 11 combat missions before hostilities ended 466th Bomb Group collection

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 18012 - Crew #792 Richard D. Koch Crew 466th BG - 787th BS B-24H-30-CF #42-50448 "Earthquake McGoon" Code: 6L-H Standing Left to Right: Bernie L....

Connections

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Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-835494
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Earthquake McGoon
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: The Joker
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Guymon, OK 73942, USA 23 February 1922

Enlisted

Oklahoma City, OK, USA 9 April 1942

Died

Oklahoma City, OK, USA 10 December 2010 Bernie "Lee" Lathrop, born in Guymon, OK on Feb. 23, 1922, was a longtime resident of OKC and passed away from this life on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010. Preceded in death by his father, mother, 5 brothers and 2 sisters. Lee is survived by his wife, Jean; a son, a daughter and their spouses, 3 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, numerous beloved nieces, nephews and their families, as well as a host of friends and neighbors. He served as a Lt. in the Air Force and was a navigator on 26 missions in the European Theater. An avid bowler, he bowled in a league for 57 years, having given it up a year ago at age 87. He was a plumber and just recently received his 65-year pin from the Local 344 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union. Lee's Plumbing Co.'s motto was "when you need a plumber- bad, you need him - good." He golfed, read voraciously, completed crossword puzzles with a pen, but he was best known for loving his family and doing anything he could for them. He had a kind heart and was in constant motion and was the best Dad, Pop, and Unc. No one loved him more than our mom. The family would like to thank the OK Heart Hospital for the fantastic care they gave Dad and all of us. Viewing will be Sunday from 12-8 PM at the funeral home. A celebration of his life will be 10:00 AM, Monday, at Vondel Smith's South Colonial Chapel. Friends may leave condolences at: www.vondelsmithmortuary.com

Buried

Oklahoma City, OK, USA 14 December 2010 Resthaven Gardens Cemetery Oklahoma City Cleveland County Oklahoma, USA
Shawnee, OK, USA 130 South McKinley

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, page 347

Bernie L Lathrop: Gallery (1 items)