Leonard Earl Reger

Military

Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF. Crew member of B-24 41-24246 'Semper Felix' exploded having released its bombs over target as a result of ground fire on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid. Killed in Action (KIA). MACR 225.



Awards: DFC, AM (OLC), PH.

Connections

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Units served with

Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19090612 / O-730188
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Semper felix
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Soluch Airfield

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Seattle, WA 6 July 1917 Son of Shirley Reger.

Enlisted

Presidio Of Monterey, CA 11 March 1942 Presidio Of Monterey, California

Died

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Crew member of B-24 41-24246 'Semper Felix' exploded having released its bombs over target as a result of ground fire on 1st Aug 43 Ploesti oil refinery raid. Pilot Lt. August W Sulflow. 9 KIA 1 POW. MACR 225.

Based

Assigned

Benina 1 August 1943 Assigned to 345BS, 98BG, 9AF USAAF.
Seattle, WA, USA Seattle, Washington, USA.

Buried

Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial Neuville-en-Condroz Arrondissement de Liège Liège, Belgium Plot D Row 3 Grave 29