Robert L Tipton

Military

TSgt. Robert L. Tipton served in the 9th Air Force, the 98th Bomb Group, and the 345th Bombardment Squadron. Flying out of Benghazi, Libya in WWII, as the Radio Operator/Gunner on the B-24D, 41-11766, Chug-A-Lug, he flew on Operation Tidal Wave, the bombing mission to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, piloted by Leroy B. Morgan. He was hit by flak splinters over Ploesti, but survived the mission, returning to Benghazi, Libya. WIA. 1 Aug 1943.

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: 14065301
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: Ninth Air Force
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator / Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19039992 / O-729707
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 12049940
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: - Chug-A-Lug
  • Unit: 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Berka, al Birkah

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Wounded In Action WIA

Ploiești, Romania 1 August 1943 Radio Operator / Nose Gunner TSgt. Robert Tipton, on the B-24D, 41-11766, Chug A Lug, was hit by flak splinters over Ploesti, but survived the mission. Returned to Benghazi, Libya. WIA. 1 Aug 43.

Other

Assigned

Benghazi, Libya 345th BS, 98th BG, 9th AF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorKickapoo
Changes
Sources

Details added. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Added details, - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Added details. - Kickapoo

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11766 - Chug-A-Lug

Date
ContributorKickapoo
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Sources

Best Web - B-24 - 41-11766 - Chug-A-Lug

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

USAAF Photo.