Albert Lee Findley

Military
media-23591.jpeg UPL 23591 TSGT Albert J. Findley
Radio Operator
Crew #657 - Byron R. Johnson Crew
466th BG - 786th BS
shot down 6 February 1945
This is his POW photo

466th BG FB Page

Object Number - UPL 23591 - TSGT Albert J. Findley Radio Operator Crew #657 - Byron R. Johnson Crew 466th BG - 786th BS shot down 6 February 1945 This is his POW photo

Crashed at Graft on 6 Feb 45 in B-24 #42-110188, Prisoner of War (POW).



He was also shot down on his first mission; his pilot, Byron Johnson, crash-landed their ship near Epernay, Champagne, France.



He lost four crewmates in the second crash, and memorialized with plaques that surround his at the San Luis Obispo County Veterans Museum in California.



He made the Air Force his career, attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, married and started a family. He and his wife, who pre-deceased him, owned an antique shop in the UK.



Al retired to Los Osos, California, was a docent at the San Luis Obispo Veterans' Museum, and was known for his consistent optimism and good humor. In terms of friends, when Al died on 28/4/2019, he was a wealthy man.



Al Findley was a key source for a book I wrote, "Central Coast Aviators in World War II." He was one of the finest men I've ever met.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Three little girls hold up a balloon celebrating the 100th mission of the 466th Bomb Group in front of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-95592) nicknamed "Black Cat". Handwritten caption on reverse: 'On our 100 Mission party Day- 18 Aug 1944, Attlebridge, 466th- wouldn't it be something if we could identify these girls? How could I do it?'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-2000270
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 786th Bomb Squadron 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron

Places

Aerial photograph of Attlebridge airfield, looking north, the fuel store and a T2 hangar are in the upper centre, 31 January 1946. Photograph taken by No. 90 Squadron, sortie number RAF/3G/TUD/UK/51. English Heritage (RAF Photography).
  • Site type: Airfield
  • Known as: Attlebridge Arsenal, Station 120

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Shot Down/Captured

Graft, 30419 Hannover, Germany 6 February 1945

Died

San Luis Obispo, California USA 28 April 2019 Albert Lee Findley died in San Luis Obispo, California, USA at age 96.

Born

Bartlesville, Oklahoma, USA

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Removed a blank event.

Date
Contributorasfordby
Changes
Sources

From Jim Gregory, author of "Central Coast Aviators in World War II," which featured several passages on Findley's wartime career.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 12220

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

"Attlebridge Arsenal" Brassfield & Wassom - page 142
http://www.ww2pow.info/index.php?page=directory&rec=64336

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

MACR 12220 / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Albert Lee Findley: Gallery (3 items)