Joseph Edward Van Dyke

Military
media-7271.jpeg UPL 7271 Crew #765
David Bridgers Crew
466th BG - 787th BS
B-24J-155-CO #44-40253 "Hard Luck" Code: 6L-N

Standing Left to Right: Herb Leopold (B), Dewey A. Whisenant (N), David I. Bridgers (P), Charles Walker (CP), Joe Iurlano (G)

Kneeling Left to Right: Andrew Van Slot (FE), Jack Starlin (WG), Richard Garlich (R/O), James Steel (TG), Joseph Van Dyke (WG), 466th Bomb Group collection

466th BG Historian

Object Number - UPL 7271 - Crew #765 David Bridgers Crew 466th BG - 787th BS B-24J-155-CO #44-40253 "Hard Luck" Code: 6L-N Standing Left to Right: Herb Leopold (B),...

Connections

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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 786th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32874367
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33427243
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Delores Jean
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Peggy Ann
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Huckle de Buck
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron 863rd Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Hard Luck
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 787th Bomb Squadron 862nd Bomb Squadron
The nose art of a B-14 Liberator (serial number 44-40328) nicknamed "This Above All" of the 487th Bomb Group.
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: This Above All
  • Unit: 466th Bomb Group 493rd Bomb Group 786th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 6 October 1944

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

Born

Yoakum, TX 77995, USA 19 September 1924

Based

Attlebridge 6 October 1944 - 10 March 1945 466th BG Tour

Died

Victoria, TX, USA 21 October 2012 VICTORIA - Joseph Edward Van Dyke, 88, of Victoria, passed away on Sunday, October 21, 2012. He was born in Yoakum, Texas, on September 19, 1924, to Albert Henry and Ann Eliza Vick Van Dyke. He graduated from Yoakum High School in 1942 and attended Texas A&I University prior to entering the military service during World War II. He served in the Army Air Corps as an aerial gunner on a B-24 bomber flying out of England. He attained the rank of staff sergeant as an engineer gunner and flew 32 missions over Germany including missions in support of ground troops during the Battle of the Buldge. He was honorably discharged from The Air Corps on July 2, 1945. In April, 1946, he met the love of his life, Pearl Hazel Willman and they were married on November 3, 1946. After living in Amarillo and San Antonio, they moved to Victoria, Texas where he was employed as a salesman for Groce-Wearden Company. In 1957 he entered the real estate business as a salesman, and later became a Certified Real Estate Appraiser. He and Hazel opened their own appraisal business in 1967, which they operated until their retirement in 2001. Joe had many interests including leather tooling, woodworking and extensive travel through the United States, Mexico, Caribbean, and Europe. He loved his family, his Country, friends, life, and laughter. As a member of the North Side Rotary Club for approximately 40 years, he served as president and had more than 32 years of perfect attendance, and was awarded the designation of Paul Harris Fellow.

Buried

Victoria, TX, USA 25 October 2012 Memory Gardens Victoria Victoria County Texas, USA

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

David Bridgers' entry in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, p 56

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes
Sources

466th BG Historian

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / Unit roster in the book ATTLEBRIDGE ARSENAL by Wassom & Brassfield, page 331

Joseph Edward Van Dyke: Gallery (1 items)