736th Bomb Squadron

Squadron
media-24171.jpeg UPL 24171 B-24J-1-NT #42-78503 "Jodey" Code:
454th Bomb Group - 736th Bomb Squadron - 15th AF
Shot down 16 February 1944 with Bruce Rabun Crew

Bruce Rabun Crew was lost 16 Feb 44 in 42-52261 - MACR 2488. First deliveries of J-NT's was approx. May 44.
42-78503 has soft (unconfirmed) connection to 449th BG, 719th BS, listed as ex 454/736 and arriving in 449th in February '45.
466th Bomb Group collection

Missing Aircrew Report 2488, "Maximum Effort: A History Of The 449th Bomb Group"

Object Number - UPL 24171 - B-24J-1-NT #42-78503 "Jodey" Code: 454th Bomb Group - 736th Bomb Squadron - 15th AF Shot down 16 February 1944 with Bruce Rabun Crew Bruce...

Established in mid-1943 as a B-24 Liberator heavy bomb squadron; trained under Second Air Force. Deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) in January 1944, being assigned to Fifteenth Air Force in Southern Italy.



Engaged in very long range strategic bombardment missions against enemy strategic targets in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and the Balkans until April 1945. Bombed aircraft factories, assembly plants, oil refineries, storage areas, marshalling yards, airdromes, and other objectives until the German Capitulation in May 1945.



Most of squadron was demobilized in Italy in May 1945; returning to United States with skeleton staff. Re-equipped and redesignated a B-29 Superfortress very heavy bomb squadron, and received new personnel. Began training under Second Air Force for planned deployment to the Western Pacific Area (WPA), however Japanese Capitulation in August led to inactivation of squadron in October.



Reactivated in 1947 as a reserve Strategic Air Command B-29 Superfortress squadron; activated in 1951 and squadron aircraft and personnel being sent to Far East Air Forces Bomber Command as replacements. Squadron inactivated after personnel and equipment were deployed. Became a Tactical Air Command reserve Troop Carrier squadron shortly afterward; equipped with surplus C-46 Commandos. Personnel and equipment over by 403d Troop Carrier Wing and inactivated.



Reactivated under Strategic Air Command in 1963, replacing provisional B-52H Stratofortess squadron at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Performed intercontinental training and deployments, also standing nuclear alert. Beginning in 1966, squadron deployed personnel to forward bases in the Western Pacific, where they engaged in combat missions over Indochina as part of Operation Arc Light.



Inactivated in 1969 when SAC pulled out Columbus and the base became an Air Training Command pilot training base

Connections

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

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33646945
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Flight engineer / Top turret
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 32989070
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Nose Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 37513449
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 15088291 / O-711626
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 19108174
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Jodey
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-24 Liberator
  • Nicknames: Girl Crazy
  • Unit: 454th Bomb Group 736th Bomb Squadron

Revisions

Date
Contributor466thHistorian
Changes

736th Bomb Squadron: Gallery (3 items)