41-28854 Better Late Than Never

media-41774.jpeg UPL 41774 Port side of B-24 41-28854 'Better Late Than Never' 721BS, 450BG.

Object Number - UPL 41774 - Port side of B-24 41-28854 'Better Late Than Never' 721BS, 450BG.

Assigned to 415BS, 98BG, 15AF USAAF. Transferred to 721BS, 450BG, 15AF USAAF. Failed to Return (FTR) Isarco/Albes, Italy 28-Feb-45 with Ed Lee crew; flak hit to #4 engine, dropped 1000ft before control regained. Crashed vicinity of Conegliano, Italy 6 x POW, 3 x KIA MACR 12514

Connections

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Units served with

  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Fifteenth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
Three airmen of the 389th Bomb Group stand with a B-24 Liberator used as a Flight Assembly Ship. Image via Tim Bivens. Handwritten caption from Bivens: 'My friend remembers it being named "Bucksheesh Benny" that it was used to fly Jack Benny around USA shows. Says it flew in North Africa with Benny and was eventually assigned to 389th as a hack and later as a form-up ship. He thinks it was originally with another group (possibly 376th or 98th).' Handwritten caption on reverse: '389th BG Form-up ship.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Ninth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14193781 / O-838060
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31139375
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Waist gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 06955017
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Flight Engineer
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 14174428 / O-2001566
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 450th Bomb Group 721st Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 31378740
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Ball turret gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Conegliano, Italy 28 February 1945 Failed to Return (FTR) Isarco/Albes, Italy 28-Feb-45 with Ed Lee crew; flak hit to #4 engine, dropped 1000ft before control regained. 6 x POW, 3 x KIA MACR 12514

Assigned

Assigned to 415BS, 98BG, 15AF USAAF.

Assigned

Manduria, Italy Transferred to 721BS, 450BG, 15AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Added images from b24bestweb.com

Date
Contributorphil marchese
Changes
Sources

Conform block number.

41-28854: Gallery (1 items)