Jeep the Coyote

Mascot
media-29385.jpeg UPL 29385 Capt John W "Wild Bill" Crump and "Jeep" pose for a photo next to Bill's P-47 Thunderbolt [ 42-26322 ] of 360th Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. Jeep is resting on a 500 lb bomb.

Object Number - UPL 29385 - Capt John W "Wild Bill" Crump and "Jeep" pose for a photo next to Bill's P-47 Thunderbolt [ 42-26322 ] of 360th Squadron, 356th Fighter Group, 8th...

Jeep met Bill Crump during the Depression. Bill was helping farmers with their coyote problem and a farmer presented him a baby coyote to dispose of. Fortunately Bill didn't kill the pup, and instead adopted him as his pet.



Jeep was smuggled aboard the Queen Elizabeth with Bill when he travelled to the UK, and eventually became a formal member of the 356th Fighter Group at Martlesham Heath. Jeep even had his own dog tags, log book and immunization record. He accompanied Bill on 5 missions in his P-47 Thunderbolt "Jackie".



Jeep was eponymously run over by a base vehicle on 28 October 1944. He received a military funeral and was laid to rest in the grounds of Playford Hall, where Bill was billeted.



When Bill transferred to P-51 Mustangs, he decorated his aircraft, also nicknamed "Jackie" with a portrait of Jeep in his honour.

Connections

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Units served with

People

A P-51 Mustang (PI-W, serial number 44-15056) nicknamed "Jackie" of the 356th Fighter Group in flight, flown by Captain Jack W "Wild Bill" Crump. Image via Herbert Rutland, 356th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Germany '45, Combat mission, Wild Bill Crump.' Handwritten on duplicate print: 'Returning from escort mission - Germany, 1945. The duplicate print is taken from a negative copy of a 35mm slide. Taken on mission of 24 March 1945. Pilot Bill Crump finished his tour shortly after this, and th
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 356th Fighter Group 360th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 333153 / O-710961
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Aircraft

A P-51 Mustang (PI-W, serial number 44-15056) nicknamed "Jackie" of the 356th Fighter Group in flight, flown by Captain Jack W "Wild Bill" Crump. Image via Herbert Rutland, 356th Fighter Group. Written on slide casing: 'Germany '45, Combat mission, Wild Bill Crump.' Handwritten on duplicate print: 'Returning from escort mission - Germany, 1945. The duplicate print is taken from a negative copy of a 35mm slide. Taken on mission of 24 March 1945. Pilot Bill Crump finished his tour shortly after this, and th
  • Aircraft Type: P-51 Mustang
  • Nicknames: Jackie
  • Unit: 356th Fighter Group 360th Fighter Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Died

Martlesham Heath 28 October 1944

Buried

Playford Hall

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

Story of Wild Bill Crump at Martlesham Heath Aviation Society

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes

Jeep the Coyote: Gallery (3 items)