Hardy Preston White Jr

Military
media-40010.png UPL 40010 Hardy 'Red' Preston White Jr

Flight training yearbook

Object Number - UPL 40010 - Hardy 'Red' Preston White Jr

Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF. 29 x combat missions. ETD



[Diary and photos accompany database form. ]On February 24, 1944 flew mission to Schweinfurt. On leaving target made slow turn to right and saw ground to air rocket coming at our aircraft. Came over right trailing edge and down between # 3&4 [engines. ] This was the only time I saw such a rocket. On March 4, 1944 the 379th flew with 41st Combat Wing to Berlin. The 8th AF was recalled, all but 41st Wing -- 31 B-17s went on alone to Berlin, were met at target by a squadron of P-51s. For this mission the 41st Wing received the Presidential Unit Citation.



Awards: DFC, AM (3OLC), WWII Victory, EAME, DUC.



Post war: Served in Korean conflict.

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 379th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38225387
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant (2nd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer / Top Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 524th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 20345931 / O-802191
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Pilot / S-3 Officer

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: The widow maker
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sons of Satan
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 527th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 457th Bomb Group 751st Bomb Squadron
A crashed B-17 Flying Fortress (WA-K, serial number 42-31021) of the 524th Bomb Squadron, 379th Bomb Group, at Overland Farm, Kent, 2 February 1944. Handwritten caption on reverse: 'P253. B-17, 231021, WA:K, C/L Overland Farm, Kent, 2nd Feb 1944. ICM 80099AC.'
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Whirlaway
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Anita Marie / Mehitabel
  • Unit: 379th Bomb Group 525th Bomb Squadron

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Springfield, Missouri 3 November 1919 Son of Hardy Preston Snr and Anna Faye [Gugel] White.

Enlisted

Oklahoma City, OK 17 January 1942 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Died

Owasso, OK 1 April 2009

Buried

Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, OK 3 April 2009 Fort Gibson National Cemetery Fort Gibson, Muskogee County, OK

Based

Kimbolton Assigned to 524BS, 379BG, 8AF USAAF.

Hardy Preston White: Gallery (2 items)