Clarence Joseph Ducote
Military
Her crew is standing behind Mr. Eden, they are (L-R):
Capt. Robert (E). Miller, F/O Arthur W. Callahan, Lt. Lee E. Zaruba, Lt. Robert R. LaPlace, T/Sgt. William J. Murphy, T/Sgt. Martin J. McDonnell, S/Sgt. Daniel W. Rowland, S/Sgt. Robert G. Newmes, S/Sgt. Hugh J. Malone, S/Sgt. Clarence J. Ducote
USAAF Photo.
Object Number - UPL 14057 - Anthony Eden doing a radio broadcast from the airbase at Snetterton Heath (Station 138),Norfolk,England on June 25,1943. Just to the rear of Mr. Eden...
18-Mar-42 - Ducote entered service and volunteered to be an aerial gunner. He served 14 months overseas. He flew 25 air missions over Holland, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Africa. He destroyed one enemy air plane and assisted in downing 13 others.
Ducote was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the raid of Romanian oil fields, which has been designated as the greatest low level (as low as 10 feet from the ground) air attack in the history of aerial fighting.
3-Jan-43 B-24 41-23371 crashed near crossroads south of Puncheston returning from target U/B yards (submarine) at St. Nazaire, France. Fuel shortage caused the crash. Ducote was injured and hospitalized until January 7. Co-pilot Canfield was killed and the only fatality. Ducote received the Purple Heart for his injuries on this mission.
Awards: DFC (OLC), AM (3OLC), PH, GC, WWII Victory, EAME.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Role/Job: Pilot
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
- Nicknames: Fascinatin Witch
- Unit: 44th Bomb Group 66th Bomb Squadron
Missions
- Date: 1 August 1943
- Official Description:
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Pathway
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Cottonport, Louisiana | 15 August 1908 | Son of Louis Adelma and Maria Fortune [Callegari] Ducote. |
|
Enlisted |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | 13 March 1942 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
|
Other Survived Ploesti |
1 August 1943 | Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943, flying B-24 Liberator 41-23811. | |
|
Died |
7 June 1963 | ||
|
Buried |
Saint Marys Assumption Catholic Cemetery Cottonport, Avoyelles Parish, LA | 11 June 1963 | Saint Marys Assumption Catholic Cemetery Cottonport, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana |
Revisions
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Ploesti by Dugan & Stewart, 44th BG Roll of Honor and Casualties by Lundy p.38