William D Hughes

Military

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23788.



Joined Sqd 8/3/42.

ETO/Flight Echelon 10/2/42.

DS/Bengahzi 6/26/43.

Returned to base 8/26/43.

DS/Tunis 9/19/43.

Returned to base 10/12/43.

Completed tour 11/18/43. Pilot: Cramer.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 44th Bomb Group.

44th Bomb Group

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
B-24 Liberators of the 44th Bomb Group line up for takeoff at Shipdham in 1943. The 'Flying Eight-Ball' emblem of the 68th Bomb Squadron is visible on the nose of the leading aircraft. Image stamped with field press censor, 1943. Press Agency photograph- original printed caption has been removed.

68th Bomb Squadron

  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

Aircraft

First Lieutenant Robert C. Peterson of the 44th Bomb Group in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 41-23788) with the aircraft's dog mascot: Pilot-Officer "Rusty". A printed caption was previously attached to the reverse, however this has been removed. Handwritten caption on reverse of print: '44BG B-24 Liberator Avenger showing 19 fighter claims and 18 bomb markings including Ploesti. 123788 I.' On reverse: Associated Press [Stamp]. Associated News Story: 'Pilot Officer "Rusty" - dog of many mi

41-23788

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Avenger
  • Unit: 44th Bomb Group 68th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Revisions

Date
Contributorgeneral ira snapsorter
Changes
Sources

Ploesti Sortie Reports, 44th Bomb Group

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Webb Todd