David Henry Bailey Jr

Military

Assigned to 18BS, 34BG, 8AF USAAF. 33 x combat missions. Failed to Return (FTR) Merseburg 7-Oct-44 in B-17 44-8328; Last seen by pilot,struggling with safety belt Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 9341



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), PH.

Connections

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Units served with

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8309) nicknamed "Ol' Buddy" of the 18th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Mendelsham. Pete Gray was the aircraft's crew chief. Handwritten caption on reverse: '18th B.S. 34th BG. Pete Gray C/C.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16034903 / O-807458
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 391st Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Lafayette, Louisiana 13 February 1918 Son of David Henry Sr and Lilian Rose [Blatz] Bailey.

Enlisted

El Paso, TX 25 November 1940 El Paso, TX

Died

Merseburg, Germany 7 October 1944 Failed to Return (FTR) Merseburg 7-Oct-44 in B-17 44-8328; Last seen struggling with safety belt Killed in Action (KIA) MACR 9341

Buried

Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, TX Fort Bliss National Cemetery El Paso, El Paso County, TX

Based

Mendlesham 7 October 1944