Bruce Joseph Florea
MilitaryAssigned to 734BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. On 17-Oct-44 on mission to Cologne in B-24 42-95312, AC received flak damage causing fuel to leak. After 3 engines quit crew baled out inside friendly lines and all returned to duty RTD. 35 x combat missions. ETD
Awards: DFC, AM (4OLC), EAME (3BS), WWII Victory.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
![A bomber crew of the 453rd Bomb Group wait on a jeep. Letter enclosed with print: '[Left to Right] James E Terwilliger- Waist Gunner, Luhter M Clark- Co-pilot, Carl Powell- Navigator, Lattie P Head- Nose Gunner, Nicholas Radosevich- Pilot, Edmund M Survilla- Tail Gunner, Lt ? Lee- Bombardier (Robert Burgess was the Bombardier on the original crew), Joseph D Craft- Radio operator, Robert Victor- Waist Gunner, Robert O Hanson- Engineer- Top Turret. Original Cadre- Model (Crew #41) 734th Squadron, 453rd Bomb](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-380672.jpg.webp?itok=L5hegKpe)
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 19128611 / O-699686
- Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Lucky Penny
- Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
13 December 1922 | Son of Wilbur Cladius and Rose [Silkett] Holman. | |
|
Other Baled out RTD |
17 October 1944 | On 17 Oct 1944 on mission to Cologne in B-24 42-95312, AC received flak damage causing fuel to leak. After 3 engines quit crew baled out inside friendly lines and all returned to duty RTD. | |
|
Died |
22 July 2011 | ||
|
Buried |
1 August 2011 | Columbia Cemetery Columbia, Boone County, Missouri | |
|
Based |
Assigned to 734BS, 453BG, 8AF USAAF. |
Revisions
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / The Liberator Men of Old Buc