Neil Snowden Holbrook
Military
Associated Person
Object Number - UPL 35162 - Lt. Col. Neil Holbrook and Violet Holbrook
Neil Snowden Holbrook was a B-17 Pilot. He was born in Oakland, California on 19-Apr-21. He grew up as the single son of a private duty nurse and had a hard childhood, working in the silver mines of Nevada right out of high school.
Despite his lack of a college education, Holbrook scored so well in his B-17 pilot training that he graduated second in his class. James Madison Morris served as his co-pilot early in his military career
Holbrook was shot down on 11-Sep-44 on a mission to Merseberg. He was flying the lead aircraft and was badly hit by enemy fire. Fortunately, he managed to guide the aircraft over France where he crash landed near Nully. Holbrook and his crew were declared missing in action, but actually succeeded in evading capture with the help of the French Underground.
Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME (2 x Battle Star).
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 1st Bomb Division 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-691988
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Navigator
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-436510
- Highest Rank: Major
- Role/Job: Co-Pilot / Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-661622
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 20th Fighter Group 77th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-730573
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 92nd Bomb Group 407th Bomb Squadron
- Service Numbers: 35016764
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Role/Job: Flight engineer / Top turret
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Unit: 305th Bomb Group 306th Bomb Group
Missions
- Date: 11 September 1944
Places
![A bomber crew of the 92nd Bomb Group return to Podington following a mission flying B-17 Flying Fortresses to Wittenberg. A B-17 Flying Fortress (NV-K, serial number 42-29994) is visible in the background. Image stamped on reverse: 'Passed for Publication 23 Feb 1945' [stamp]. ' News Chronicle Copyright Picture' [stamp]. Printed caption on reverse: 'Crew back from Wittenberg.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-379172.jpg.webp?itok=G7D0FciD)
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Oakland, CA | 19 April 1921 | |
|
Other Marriage |
29 August 1941 | Married Violet Elizabeth Harter. | |
|
Enlisted |
1 October 1943 | ||
|
Other Discharged USAAF |
24 October 1946 | Honourable discharge. | |
|
Died |
Lake Oswego, OR | 20 January 1982 | |
|
Buried |
Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Multnomah County, OR | 23 January 1982 | Willamette National Cemetery Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon |
|
Based |
Podington | Assigned to 407BS, 92BG, 8AF USAAF. |
