42-40793 Blonds Away

media-13817.jpeg UPL 13817 B-24 Liberator 42-40793 'Blonds Away' and crew, survivor of the Ploesti oil refinery raid 1st Aug 43.

USAAF Photo.

Object Number - UPL 13817 - B-24 Liberator 42-40793 'Blonds Away' and crew, survivor of the Ploesti oil refinery raid 1st Aug 43.

Took part in Operation Tidal Wave, the raid on Ploesti on 1 August 1943.



Target - Solingen, Germany, 1-Dec-43, Manston, England

Crash landed at emergency field due to battle damage. MACR 3983.



1Lt. Jack M. Conners, Pilot, KIA, 1Lt. Maurice J. Kercher, Co-Pilot, KIA.

1Lt. Walter E. Mackey, Navigator, KIA, 1Lt. William Toles, KIA, Bombardier, KIA.

TSgt. George Aguayo, KIA, SSgt. Robert K. Bell, KIA.

SSgt. Robert M. Hollowell, KIA, SSgt. Leonard E. Wyrwas, KIA.

SSgt. Richard W. Weaver, KIA.

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron 98th Bomb Group 345th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 17062794 / O-736046
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
Personnel of the 389th Bomb Group stand atop the engine of a B-24 Liberator (serial number 42-40787) nicknamed "Vagabond King".  Sitting (left to right): Staff Sergeant David C Shattles, Staff Sergeant Louis H Raines, Corporal Alfred P Rossi. Standing (left to right)Second Lieutenant Masco, First Lieutenant Marvin Mendlesohn, First Lieutenant George A Brinton, Captain John B. McCormick, Staff Sergeant William J Budai, Staff Sergeant Richard W Weaver

'They have bombed ten different countries. Associated
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33290240
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 567th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 18070789 / O-736920
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 389th Bomb Group 565th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 33252656
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Manston, Ramsgate, Kent CT12, UK 1 December 1943 Target - Solingen, Germany, 1-Dec-43, Manston, England Crash landed at emergency field due to battle damage. MACR 3983.

Revisions

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM Database.

Date
ContributorScottSmith
Changes
Sources

SS

Date
ContributorAl_Skiff
Changes
Sources

AAM Database.

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