Philip Taylor Palmer

Military
media-51678.jpeg UPL 51678 Philip Taylor Palmer, LTC., Bombardier on the 'The Bad Penny', (41-24480) BS, 91st BG

AAMIB

Object Number - UPL 51678 - Philip Taylor Palmer, LTC., Bombardier on the 'The Bad Penny', (41-24480) BS, 91st BG

Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF.



Palmer a bombardier with 324th BS 91st BG took part in what was purported to be the 91st's very first mission, to St. Nazaire on 23rd November 1942. 'No bombs were dropped and only three planes made it back'. Palmer and the navigator of his aircraft took over when both pilot and co-pilot were injured. Fortunately the pilot recovered sufficiently to land the plane back at base, in such poor visibility that it took the Emergency Crew and hour to locate them.



Awards: AM (2OLC), PH, WWII Victory, EAME, UN and Korean Medals.



Post War: Remained in USAF serving in Korean and Vietnam wars and rising to Lt Colonel.

Connections

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Units served with

Unofficial emblem of the 91st Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

Lieutenant C.E. Cliburn of the 91st Bomb Group with his B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 42-5077) nicknamed "Delta Rebel No. 2". Passed for publication 6 Apr 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'A Fighting "Rebel" of the United States Air Force. A successful veteran of the United States Army Air Force in the country in the Flying Fortress "Delta Rebel", which with its crew under Lieut. C.E. Cliburn, of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, has taken part in 22 daylight raids on enemy territory, including the recent a
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-789370
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

Film Director Major William Wyler looks through the waist gun position of a B-17 Flying Fortress (DF-B) of the 91st Bomb Group during the filming of 'Memphis Belle'. Passed as censored 1 Feb 1943. Printed caption on reverse: 'How a Flying Fortress Protects Itself: Major William Wyler, who directed the famous film 'Mrs Minniver', is now busy directing an instructional film for the U.S. Army Air Force, showing how a 'Flying Fortress' protects itself against attack by enemy fighters. The Fortress is loaded w
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The Bad Penny
  • Unit: 403rd Air Depot 91st Bomb Group 322nd Bomb Squadron 324th Bomb Squadron Headquarters Squadron (8th Air Force)

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Sumner County, KS, USA 9 February 1917

Enlisted

Fort Riley, KS 66442, USA 6 January 1942 Fort Riley, Kansas

Died

Bexar County, TX, USA 10 November 2003

Buried

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio Bexar County TX 14 November 2003 Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery San Antonio Bexar County Texas, USA
Wellington, KS, USA

Based

Bassingbourn Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Date
Changes
Sources

Biography completed by historian Helen Millgate. Information sourced from newsletters of the 91st Bomb Group related to the service of Philip T. Palmer.

Philip Taylor Palmer: Gallery (5 items)