Penelope the Cocker Spaniel

Mascot

Penelope was the pet dog of Nicholas Radosevich of the 453rd Bomb Group. He named the B-24 Liberators he flew "Lucky Penny" after her.



Radosevich was given Penny by a girl he went on a date with, while based at March Field in California. She travelled with him to the UK. Radosevich made Penny her own parachute pack and harness for flying with him.



Upon her arrival in Britain some officers tried to confiscate Penny to quarantine her for diseases, but Radosevich told them she had died during the journey.



On 27 March 1944, Radosevich took Penny with him on a mission to Pau, he made a bed for her in the cockpit and she sat between the pilot and co-pilot for the duration of the 10 hour mission. Radosevich commended her for not wetting herself.



When Radosevich was on leave in London or Norwich he left Penny in the care of Jane Lane, a 4 year old girl he befriended in Attleborough. Upon completing his 32 missions in June 1944, he gave Penny to Jane, as she liked her so much.



In 2006 Jane made contact with Radosevich, after finding his contact details inside a cylinder on Penny's collar. She informed him Penny had lived to be 14 years old.



Connections

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Units served with

Colonel Larry Thomas of the 453rd Bomb Group. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'Col Larry Thomas 453BG.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

A bomber crew of the 453rd Bomb Group wait on a jeep. Letter enclosed with print: '[Left to Right] James E Terwilliger- Waist Gunner, Luhter M Clark- Co-pilot, Carl Powell- Navigator, Lattie P Head- Nose Gunner, Nicholas Radosevich- Pilot, Edmund M Survilla- Tail Gunner, Lt ? Lee- Bombardier (Robert Burgess was the Bombardier on the original crew), Joseph D Craft- Radio operator, Robert Victor- Waist Gunner, Robert O Hanson- Engineer- Top Turret. Original Cadre- Model (Crew #41) 734th Squadron, 453rd Bomb
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-743088
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lucky Penny
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lucky Penny
  • Unit: 453rd Bomb Group 734th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

California

Based

March Army Airfield

Based

Old Buckenham
Attleborough

Died

Revisions

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes