Curtis A Abernethy

Military

The Abernethy Replacement Crew arrived during June 1944. As they were completing their in-house training they were ear-marked to go to the 858th BS. Before they could get into the action the 858th was disassembled. On 24 Jun 1944 they were assigned to the 856th BS. 

The Abernethy Crew flew 3 missions beginning on 29 Jun 44.  On their third mission, 6 Jul 44, they participated in the Group's attack on a shipyard at Keil. Their ship was severely damaged by flak. They tried to make it back across the North Sea but only got far enough to arrange for a sea rescue instead. Two of the crew were never found while the others were picked up and returned to duty (RTD). 2 KIA, 7 RTD, MACR 8199.

When Abernethy recovered he got a new crew mostly comprised of members of the White Crew R-34 who were shot down on 18 Jul 1944. He also got a new navigator, Lt Farrell, who had just gotten out of the hospital after being wounded with the McMurray Crew 801 on 15 June 1944. His new crew was transferred to the 801st/492nd Carpetbaggers.

According to the Carpetbaggers, Abernethy flew 11 more missions plus a number of gas hauling missions with a short crew. His last mission was on the night of 11/12 December 1944. While returning from a leaflet drop over Holland he lost an engine. Upon arriving back to the UK another engine began running away. They were forced to crashland their plane near Woodbridge, England. Everyone was able to walk away without serious injury. 

 

 

 

Connections

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Units served with

A Swedish Soldier guards a B-24 Liberator (serial number 44-40159) nicknamed "Boulder Buff" of the 492nd Bomb Group that has landed in Sweden.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • 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: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 784th Bomb Squadron 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 313 20 009
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Lucky Strike
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 856th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Unit: 492nd Bomb Group 859th Bomb Squadron 858th Bomb Squadron 856th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a "-" to the A/C serial # in the "Summary biography" to aid clarity.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added the words "Possible DUPLICATE" in the nickname field so an Admin can check out this person.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 8199, http://www.801492.org/MainMenu.htm